This year, some of your go-to stocking stuffers don’t seem appropriate for your child with braces. As you prepare for the fast-approaching holiday season, you must take their situation into account and give them gifts that won’t set them up for failure in their treatment. But did you know that there are products out there can actually make braces easier and more fun? Here are some stocking stuffers and other gifts you should think about getting for your child this year!
Fun, Colorful Flossers
For many adults as well as kids, flossing around the brackets and wires is the most challenging part of wearing braces, but it is crucial for avoiding cavities during treatment. In fact, your child must floss after every time they eat anything, including snacks! Fortunately, you can easily find flossers or even normal floss in various themes, characters, colors, and even flavors that could make this essential, frequent task much more enjoyable for your child.
Electric Toothbrush
With braces, your child must get used to paying more attention to their teeth throughout the day. In addition to flossing, brushing after meals prevents plaque buildup, which lowers their risk of tooth decay. In general, dentists recommend electric toothbrushes over manual ones, even for kids with braces, because this type allows your child to be more thorough with every stroke. Plus, electric toothbrushes for kids can come with their favorite characters and in many different colors, meaning you can find the perfect one that helps your child want to brush.
Cute Travel Case
Whether or not you plan to visit out-of-town friends or family this holiday season, your child will need a travel case for their oral hygiene products. After all, they won’t spend all their time at home! At school after lunch, at a friend’s house at a sleepover, or at a restaurant after shopping, they must have their toothbrush and floss handy. Giving them a fun, cute traveling case can help them feel less self-conscious about toting around their oral hygiene supplies and remember to bring the case along whenever necessary.
Sugar-Free Candy
No stocking is complete without candy, but these sweet treats greatly increase your child’s odds of getting a cavity, especially if they have braces. Especially while your child has orthodontic treatment, you may want to consider sugar-free candy options to keep their risk to a minimum.
When you choose gifts and goodies that your child can use on a daily basis, they can see that having braces can still be a fun time in their life. With a little bit of preparation, you can bring a little more joy into their treatment and more smiles!
About the Author
Dr. J. Patrick Bowman is a board-certified pediatric dentist at Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry in Denver, CO. In his continuing education training, he has taken coursework in development and growth and pediatric orthodontics. Dr. Patrick loves helping kids smile with more confidence, which is why he strives to make every visit as pleasant and fun as possible. If you have questions about your child’s braces, you may schedule an appointment or contact Dr. Patrick by calling 720-647-6310 or visiting our Contact Us page here.