Braces-Friendly Stocking Stuffer Ideas

The holiday season is festive and busy. We all have a million things to do and seemingly not enough time to do them, but your Downey Dental Arts office wants to help make your holiday shopping a little easier this year. If you have a braces wearer in your family, then we have the perfect list of stocking stuffers to help them take care of their beautiful new smile.

Next to the wrapped-up gifts, the stockings are a highlight of the holidays. But if you aren’t careful about what you put in them you could be doing harm to your family’s oral health. But creating a healthy stocking doesn’t mean disappointment upon opening. Your orthodontist team has plenty of ideas to help you keep the holidays fun, exciting and healthy!

Stuff Your Holiday Stockings with Electric Toothbrushes

Every braces wearer needs to be sure to brush regularly and thoroughly. It's easy to help them do just that with a new electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush is an exciting new spin on toothbrushing that makes even the most reluctant brusher want to dig right in. This gift is perfect for kids or adults, and an especially helpful gift for those who wear braces to make sure teeth and braces are clean. Make sure you choose an ADA approved brush with soft bristles to get the best cleaning power. Also keep in mind the size of your family member’s mouth to make sure their brush is the right size.

Give the Gift of Fun Flavored Toothpaste

All toothpaste is minty, right? Not anymore! If you are looking to inspire good brushing by infusing a little adventure, then think about finding a new toothpaste flavor. Sweets lovers will be satisfied with flavors like cupcake, bubble gum or cookies, while children really enjoy a multitude of fruit flavors like banana, strawberry, and grape. There are even flavors for the more adventurous like chocolate, chili, and lavender! Make sure the toothpaste you choose has fluoride to help keep teeth at their healthiest and avoid cavities and tooth decay.

Put Flavored Floss in Your Christmas Stockings

Need to find some encouragement for flossing? Pick up some gourmet flavored floss! Just like toothpastes, floss now comes in a myriad of exciting and fun flavors. Some floss companies offer flavors like cinnamon apple, vanilla bean, and watermelon. A choice of floss flavors makes it fun to choose each time flossing is needed. Make sure to also pick up some floss threaders to get floss around braces and make the task as simple as possible.

Don’t Forget the Reusable Straws this Holiday Season

Straws are an excellent tool for braces wearers. Drinking through a straw helps to move sugary or acidic liquids away from teeth. They also help move cold drinks past teeth to help avoid the sensitivity often associated with wearing braces. Choose a reusable straw made of stainless steel, glass or bamboo that can be used over and over even after braces have been removed. Even better- get a straw with a carrying case to keep on hand anytime a straw is needed.

Orthodontist Approved Stocking Stuffer Sweet Treats

Everyone looks forward to sweet holiday treats in their stockings. But sugary candy and treats aren't good for braces or teeth. Be sure to avoid anything sticky or chewy for those with orthodontic appliances as pieces may get stuck in braces. The best candy choices include soft chocolates with no nuts or caramels. Or stay away from candies all together and opt for fresh fruits, cookies, or cakes. Just stay away from anything too crunchy or hard to avoid damaging braces.

Travel Dental Care Kits Make Great Stocking Stuffers

An excellent choice for brace wearers to help them take care of their teeth and braces anytime. A travel dental kit should be small enough to make sure it can go anywhere easily. Make sure it has a bag or case to hold all pieces together. A good kit will contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and floss threaders. Some kits even come with multiple toothbrushes of different shapes to help get teeth and braces as clean as possible. Some kits made specifically for braces wearers include dental wax, a gap cleaning brush, and a timer to ensure proper brushing. These kits are especially helpful for using at school and work to make sure braces are properly taken care of at all times.

Remember Mouthguards this Christmas

A mouthguard is an essential dental care product for anyone who wears braces. Mouthguards should be worn during all sports and recreational activities to protect teeth, gums and soft mouth tissues when wearing braces. Choose from stock mouthguards available at most pharmacies and sporting goods stores, boil-and-bite customizable mouthguards, and custom fitted mouthguards from your Downey Dental Arts orthodontic office.

Alternative Orthodontist Approved Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Looking for more ideas for those with braces? We’ve got you covered. To make the holidays fun and festive, while staying healthy too, think about alternatives to candies and sweets. Movie tickets and gift cards are a great small gift to slide into a stocking. Consider small, wrapped gifts like beauty products, games or playing cards, or fun notebooks and pens or markers. For kids you can even include a letter from Santa thanking them for taking care of their teeth throughout the year.

Looking for a holiday gift that lasts? Good oral health is an essential part of your overall health and wellbeing. To give a gift that lasts a lifetime make sure your whole family sees their Downey Dental Arts team for regularly scheduled visits.

Looking for an orthodontist to help your family achieve their best smile? Call Downey Dental Arts at (562) 445-3363 to set up an appointment today!