Dentistry for Kids and Teens
The holiday season is a time for sweet desserts, decadent chocolates, and lots of candy. While these sweet treats are great in moderation, they can also mean bad news for your dental health.
It can be hard to prioritize oral health with all the hustle and bustle of the season, but keeping your family healthy should always be a priority. It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit and neglect their tooth health.
As a health-conscious parent, you want to help your loved ones keep those pearly whites healthy and strong. Here are some stocking stuffers ideas for healthy teeth and sure-fire ways to have the best smile in the new year.
New Toothbrush & Toothpaste
A new toothbrush is one stocking stuffer everyone needs on Christmas morning. Kids and teens especially like a toothbrush that matches their personality. Why not include a fun one with a favorite character or a toothbrush that lights up while they clean their teeth in their stocking?
Dentistry for kids and teens can be complicated sometimes. They aren’t always enthusiastic over the mint flavor of toothpaste. Look for different and exciting new flavors like watermelon, licorice, citrus, cinnamon, ginger, strawberry, and more! Why not try some of the new solid toothpaste tablets too? To learn more click here.
Switching up the toothpaste flavor often can give your kids and teens something to look forward to when brushing their teeth. Sometimes a little extra motivation can go a long way towards encouraging healthy habits.
Toothbrushing Timer
Patients of all ages can have a hard time brushing their teeth for a full two minutes each time! If it is a challenge for your kids and teens, consider getting a small timer to keep in the bathroom. A timer is a great way to help your kids and teens brush long enough and encourage the best oral hygiene habits.
Floss Threader
The best pediatric dentistry for kids and teens requires flossing once a day for healthy smiles. Although, getting your kids to do it can be challenging. It takes a lot of coordination to use dental floss properly and can even be difficult for some adults. A bag of flossers is the perfect stocking stuffer to encourage flossing and good dental care for everyone in the family.
If you happen to have a teen that currently wears braces, consider a floss threader to simplify their oral hygiene routine. A floss threader allows your teen to work around traditional braces quickly and effectively. Click here.
Lip Balm
Lip balm or chapstick is a perfect stocking stuffer, especially during winter. Our lips are one part of our body that is constantly exposed to the cold weather, so it’s vital to maintain their moisture.
Healthy snacks
In some families, especially in Europe, there is a tradition to fill stockings with mandarins or oranges and nuts. As the story goes, these fruits were scarce and very expensive during the great depression and a real treat on Christmas morning.
But if you dig a little deeper, there is a story passed down of a father and his three daughters who had fallen on hard times. Saint Nicholas, the son of a wealthy merchant, secretly threw three bags of gold through their window, which landed in each of the girl’s stockings that were hanging by the fire to dry. The story spread, and soon oranges replaced the bags of gold.
So why not forgo the candies, and start a new healthier tradition in dentistry for kids and teens that has been passed down throughout history? Their teeth will thank you for it.
