We hope that you have finished your Christmas shopping, but we know a few of you will be waiting to the last minute.
Maybe you already have the big gifts purchased and wrapped, but you still want to get a few small items. As much as we loved new toys when we were kids, we looked forward to the stocking stuffers, too. (And we still like stocking stuffers now that we’re adults.)
Whether you are almost finished with your shopping or you haven’t started, our staff at Beaumont Family Dentistry has a few suggestions to help you.
After all, brushing and flossing aren’t the only ways to make your family smile.
- An electric toothbrush
Consider this a small luxury item for someone your love. We know that brushing your teeth isn’t manual labor, but an electric toothbrush can make it a little easier.
With a standard toothbrush, you do have to do the scrubbing. With an electric toothbrush, you just have to hold it to your teeth. It does most of the work for you.
Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes do a better job of removing plaque, which reduces your loved one’s risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
If you find that you are fighting to get your kids to brush their teeth, then an electric toothbrush might make the process more fun for them.
One of the great things about electric toothbrushes is that you can find them in all price ranges, and you can find them with all kinds of colors and designs, including your kids’ favorite cartoon characters.
While you’re at it, why not pick up an electric toothbrush for yourself, too.
- Mini toothbrushes
We are referring to those small single-use toothbrushes, like Colgate Wisps and similar products. If you think we are contradicting ourselves after our first gift suggestion, bear with us for a moment.
We all have times when we forget to brush, or we may need to freshen up before a meeting. You can stash these miniature toothbrushes in your glove compartment, purse, or a desk drawer for those “emergency” brushing situations.
You shouldn’t use these all the time, but they come in handy when you need them.
- Dental floss
We didn’t promise that all the gifts would be exciting. Flossing, like brushing, should be part of your daily routine to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
You can think of dental floss as the new socks you get every year. They probably aren’t one of your favorite Christmas gifts, but we bet you get more use of them than most of the other things you receive.
And you can have fun with this. Look for floss in your kids’ favorite flavors or favorite colors. Anything that might remind them that flossing every day is important.
- Water flosser
This is an alternative for those people who can’t, won’t, or don’t floss. It’s also a great complementary gift to go with the electric toothbrush.
If flossing isn’t an option, a water pick will do the trick. Like the electric toothbrush, a water flosser may be more fun to use, and that might encourage your kids (or your spouse) to try this other way of “flossing.”
Water flossers have been proven to be as effective as dental floss at removing plaque, and in some studies, the water flossers have had better results than flossing.
- Toothbrush holder
We know the cup works fine, but you can turn the toothbrush holder into a fashionable item in your bathroom or a fun accessory for your kids.
One example is the OXO Good Grips Toothbrush Organizer that comes in a brushed steel look. This can help keep your brushing supplies in one place, and keep your bathroom looking a little neater.
For the kids, you can find toothbrush holders in all kinds of styles, shapes, and colors. And like the electric toothbrushes, you can even find them with your kids’ favorite characters.
Anything to encourage your kids to keeping brushing and flossing is a good idea.
- Two-minute timer
The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. If you aren’t sure if you or your kids are actually brushing their teeth that long, then a timer is a great tool to help.
You can get a digital timer or an hourglass-shaped one. Whatever will help you and your kids will work. (And once you get it, you’ll probably find some other uses for your timer, too.)
Merry Christmas and happy holidays
No matter what you are celebrating this holiday season, we hope you stay safe and keep smiling.
That means brushing and flossing every day and making appointments to visit Beaumont Family Dentistry in Lexington. Call any of our offices to make an appointment. If you are a new patient, please fill out our online form to schedule your first visit.