If you struggle to find gift ideas this time of year, consider the gift of a healthy and brighter smile by looking outside the traditional gift ideas toward oral health products. There are great options in all price ranges whether you are searching for a large gift, stocking stuffer, or even a secret Santa idea at the office.
Children are often inundated with toys that get played with and then discarded in short order. Fun oral health gifts can help develop and sustain lifelong habits that will pay dividends for the rest of their life, and they can be fun and engaging at the same time.
Character themed toothbrushes are often a hit with younger children. There are many options available depending on what the child enjoys. In an age of electronics consider a powered toothbrush to add a little flare to the brushing routine. Many flavors of kid’s toothpaste are also available, purchasing a variety of flavors for the child to try is another way to find ways to make brushing more fun. Smaller stocking stuffer ideas include child themed flossers and sugar free gum which helps fight decay when added to a good routine of brushing and flossing twice a day.
Kids who are old enough to have a device can benefit from tooth brushing apps. So, if there is a new device under the tree this year, consider installing an app to make brushing and flossing more fun and to encourage proper technique and amount of time brushing. Search the app store and you will find many options from all the major toothbrush and toothpaste companies and independent apps that all have a unique spin on what will motivate your child.
Adults can be challenging to purchase gifts for which makes oral health products a great option since most everyone can benefit from them. Electric brushes are always popular and range from the stylish Quip brushes at $40 to the top end Sonicare or Oral B brushes with all the bells and whistles at $150. Water flossers are also becoming more and more popular with new options available beyond the traditional WaterPik. Stocking stuffers of traditional toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste are always useful. A great secret Santa idea is a dental travel kit if you know the person travels. These kits cost between $15-30 and are quite convenient when away from home.
When surveyed, nearly 80% of adults wish they had whiter teeth. There are many over the counter options including whitening toothpaste, gels, and Whitestrips. Most dental offices offer at home whitening and in office whitening as a larger gift option.
These gift ideas may seem a little off the wall depending what your family gift giving traditions are, but I can assure you they can have a lasting positive affect on the gift receiver. Through my 20 years as a dentist the one thing that has been evident about oral care is that it often isn’t the knowledge of what to do to care for teeth, but rather the motivation that prevents individuals from having a healthy beautiful smile. By receiving a special gift that makes home care more fun, you could be helping the gift recipient toward a lifetime of dental health.
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