6 Great Stocking Stuffers to Promote Healthy Teeth
The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year – decorating cookies with your kids, family gatherings, and holiday parties can be the foundation of incredible memories. However, it’s not the most wonderful time of the year for dental health! Of course the number one problem is sugar. During the holiday season, we’re surrounded by it – cookies, pies, candy canes, and peppermint hot chocolate are everywhere, and while they are delicious they’re also damaging, especially if the busyness of the season is causing you to forget or skip your dental hygiene routine.
Fortunately, you can give the gift of healthy teeth to your family and friends this holiday season! Our Fuquay Varina family dentist is sharing our top stocking stuffers and gifts for both kids and adults that support a healthier smile.
Top Dental Health Gifts for Adults
When it comes to dental health related gifts, consider a gift that is more innovative or designed to make dental care easier. We picked three of the top gifts that anyone from a spouse or parent to a friend will be happy to open up on Christmas!
Water Flosser
Flossing daily is essential to having healthy teeth and gums because it removes the debris and plaque that settles in the spaces between teeth and can’t be reached by brushing alone. Without flossing, the build-up of plaque and bacteria lead to bad breath, tooth decay, and gingivitis, so it is definitely a necessary part of dental hygiene.
But what about people who struggle with traditional string floss? At our family dentist office, we see people who may have teeth that are crowded or who have sensitive gums, and flossing may be frustrating or even painful!
Fortunately, a water flosser, like the ADA-approved WaterPik® does the work of floss, cleaning between the teeth and around the gumline with a pressurized stream of water that can be customized to the user’s needs. This is a gift that’s especially beneficial to people with braces or dental implants.
Quip Toothbrush
You’ve probably heard of Quip advertised on your favorite podcast, but what is it? This battery-powered toothbrush was designed by dentists to have the features you need – timed brushing with sonic pulses to remind you to move to a new quadrant of your teeth, a comfortable, travel-friendly design, and soft, nylon bristles for effective brushing.
The starter plan includes floss in a refillable silver container and ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste. You can even set up a refill plan that ensures your gift will last all year long – every 3 months, they’ll deliver a new brush head, battery, toothpaste, and refill with free shipping!
Cocofloss
If you’ve got someone in your life who is a flossing fanatic or you simply want a unique gift for the sweets-lover in your life, check out Cocofloss.
Founded by two sisters, one a dentist, the other an artist, Cocofloss is made of ultra-thin polyester fibers coated in wax and coconut oil to create a “loofah” effect on your teeth, more effectively removing plaque and film. Plus, it comes in all kinds of scents to leave your mouth feeling delicious, including orange, strawberry, coconut, and mint.
Plaque Disclosing Tablets
Got a friend or loved one who likes the weird side of biology and science? Add some plaque disclosing tablets to their gift! Because you can’t see plaque on its own as it’s a clear, sticky substance, it’s easy to miss pockets when brushing and flossing. But when plaque gets left behind, it can harden into tartar and attract decay-casing bacteria.
Disclosing tablets are red tablets that you chew up then rinse your mouth with water. The food-safe dye sticks to the plaque on your teeth, but not your clean enamel and any left gets brushed away with ease. Those who use the tablets can more effectively brush and floss and make sure they’re getting their teeth as clean as possible.
Best Gifts for Kids for Healthier Teeth
Dental hygiene gifts for kids may not seem exciting, but they make great stocking stuffers! Our family dentist knows that with kids, the key is about making brushing and flossing fun, which is why we’ve listed some kid-friendly gift ideas that make brushing a blast!
Character-Themed Toothbrushes
As long as a child is brushing with an ADA-approved toothbrush that is the right size for them, you can find a brush that they’ll like using. Fortunately, there are brushes and toothpaste for just about every popular brand, including Paw Patrol, My Little Pony, and Disney characters.
BrushyBall
Once a child is around five, they can brush on their own, but they may need some help. That’s where the BrushyBall can help. This interactive toy walks a child through the tooth brushing process, showing them where to brush with light-up teeth, and keeping them engaged for the full two minutes needed for clean, healthy teeth. It also acts as a cute brush holder when not in use!
Don’t Forget a Checkup and Cleaning!
All the latest gadgets and gear for dental hygiene are great, but the key to healthy teeth also comes from having regular dental checkups and teeth cleaning. Refer your loved ones to our family dentist in Fuquay Varina or schedule an appointment for your child today by calling 919-552-2431 or filling out our form to get started!