The holiday season is a time for friends, family, feasting, celebrations, and gift-giving. One time-honored tradition is hanging an oversized sock over the fireplace so that Santa can fill it with all sorts of treats and small toys. However, there are quite a few smile-friendly options that are sure to delight the kids on your holiday shopping list. Here are a few small gift ideas that will surely have kids smiling brightly.
A New Toothbrush
Toothbrushes should be replaced regularly, but they are often used for too long before being retired. Luckily, the holiday season is a great time to replace your child’s oral cleaning appliances. Toothbrushes come in all sorts of fun colors, and some of them are printed with images of popular cartoon characters. You might even consider upgrading your child’s oral hygiene by getting an electric toothbrush, which is recommended by the American Dental Association. Some of these devices even play songs to time the user’s brushing sessions.
Kid-Friendly Dental Supplies
Flossing is just as important to oral hygiene as brushing, and everyone should start using antibacterial mouthwash after age six. However, many kids aren’t too fond of the minty flavor that is traditional for oral hygiene supplies. Luckily, many brands produce toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, and other supplies in fun, kid-friendly flavors like bubblegum, watermelon, and others. Throw a few of these in your child’s stocking to help them develop good oral health habits. Just make sure they have the ADA’s seal of approval on the packaging.
Healthy Snacks
Sugary candies aren’t the only game in town when it comes to holiday snacks. Nuts are tasty, crunchy, and flavorful snack options that are low in sugar and full of protein and other nutrients that are necessary for healthy teeth. Pistachios in particular are considered traditional during the holiday season. You can also go with raisins, which have a high level of naturally occurring fluoride. Dentists recommend chewing sugar-free gum after meals to remove food debris and stimulate saliva flow, and it comes in plenty of kid-friendly flavors like fruit and bubblegum.
It’s important to look out for your loved ones’ oral health during the holiday festivities. By giving kids a few smile-friendly gifts this season, you can help set them up for a lifetime of excellent oral care.
About the Author
Dr. Angela Courtney earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Ohio State University in 1996 and has completed numerous courses from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. She is proud to hold memberships with the American Dental Association, the Ohio Dental Association, and the Columbus Dental Society. Her office in Columbus, OH offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more information on tooth-friendly holiday celebrations, contact her office online or dial (614) 451-7393.