Patient Portal 
The holidays are here again, and, as usual, they are bringing tons of candy and sweets with them. Candy canes, hot chocolate, pumpkin pie, cookies, cakes, gingerbread men, chocolates, and everything in between are handed out like confetti at a parade during the holiday season, but consuming too many of these sweet treats can have devastating consequences for your oral health. Here are a few smile-friendly stocking stuffer ideas to help your family enjoy the season while practicing excellent oral hygiene.
Pack Their Sock with a Toothbrush That Rocks
The stockings that hang over the fireplace during the holiday season are unusually large, so they have plenty of room for a few dental supplies as well as the usual candies and toys. Toothbrushes come in a wide variety of fun colors, and some of them are even printed with images of popular cartoon characters. You might even consider upgrading your loved one’s oral hygiene kit with an electric toothbrush. Some toothbrushes are so fancy that they play songs to time a brushing session, and others sync up with smartphones to make brushing into a game.
Fun Dental Supplies Will Help Spirits Rise
Toothpaste and floss are wonderful tools for cleaning your teeth, but many children have a hard time getting on board with the minty flavor. Thankfully, some dental health products come in fun colors and kid-friendly flavors like bubblegum. Just make sure that any dental health product has the American Dental Association’s Seal of Approval.
Healthy Snacks Can Prevent Tooth Decay’s Attack
It’s far too easy to get caught up in the traditional sweet treats of the holidays and forget about all the wonderful healthy snack options out there. Nuts are a time-honored Christmas tradition, so a bag of almonds or pistachios can give kids a satisfying and nutritious crunch. For something sweeter, raisins have an incredibly high natural level of fluoride. Sugar-free gum is another great choice. In fact, dentists recommend chewing it after meals to stimulate saliva flow and remove food debris.
It’s important for everyone to enjoy the holidays, but they should do so without endangering their dental health. Loading a stocking up with tooth-friendly gifts can help keep your loved ones smiling beautifully into the new year.
About the Author
Dr. Girish Sandadi earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and regularly takes continuing education courses to stay on top of the latest dental developments. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. His office in Dallas, TX offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more information on keeping your holiday celebrations teeth-healthy, contact the office online or dial (214) 528-9990.