The holidays are a wonderful time of year to celebrate, feast, give gifts, and reunite with friends and family. While leaving an oversized sock hanging on the mantle is a time-honored tradition, the conventional treats left in them can be a lot to be desired for your loved ones’ oral health. In addition to some candy and fun knick-knacks, why not include a few gifts that can help someone keep their smile shiny and healthy? Here are a few smile-friendly stocking stuffers that will help your family and friends have beautiful teeth for the new year.
A Brand-New Toothbrush
It’s important to get a new toothbrush regularly. Luckily, stockings have plenty of room for one. Even if the stocking’s owner just got a new toothbrush, it never hurts to have a spare. Toothbrushes come in a wide variety of fun colors, and many of them have images of popular cartoon characters printed on them to make them fun for kids. You might even consider upgrading your loved one’s dental hygiene with an electric toothbrush that gives teeth a better cleaning than the conventional variety. Some of them even play songs to help kids time their brushing sessions.
Child-Friendly Dental Supplies
Dental floss is a crucial part of a proper oral hygiene regimen, but many kids aren’t too keen on the usual mint flavor it comes in. Thankfully, you can find dental floss, mouthwash, and other supplies in fun colors and flavors like bubblegum, fruity, and others. Just make sure the product has the American Dental Association’s Seal of Approval and that it contains fluoride if available. If your child is younger than two years, ask your dentist about which toothpaste they should use. Keep in mind that children under six should not be using mouthwash.
Tasty, Healthy Snacks
Believe it or not, there are many tasty snacks out there that dentists wholeheartedly approve of. Nuts are tasty, crunchy, flavorful treats loved by kids everywhere. Pistachios, which are particularly traditional holiday nuts, are rich in calcium, vitamin D, fiber, folic acid, and other nutrients that are essential for healthy teeth and gums. Raisins are naturally high in fluoride, but cleaning your teeth after eating them is a great idea since they can be quite sticky. Sugar-free gum comes in a variety of tasty flavors, and the American Dental Association recommends chewing it after meals to help the mouth clean itself.
There’s no reason that holiday gift-giving can’t result in better oral health. By giving out a few teeth-friendly presents this holiday season, you can help your loved ones meet the new year with bright and shiny smiles.
About the Author
Dr. Danny Hayes earned his dental degree at Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia, where he was an active member of the Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity and the American Student Dental Association. He is a member of the Chicago Dental Society, the American Dental Association, and the Indiana Dental Association. His office in Portage, IN offers preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more information on celebrating the holidays the smile-friendly way, contact his office online or dial (219) 763-6878.