5 Christmas Gifts to Help Kids Look After Their Teeth
Christmas is traditionally the worst time of year for teeth, but it doesn’t have to be that way. As well as swapping out sugary snacks and drinks for healthy options, and keeping up with their regular dental visits, you can help your kids to take better care of their teeth and gums in the New Year – and avoid cavities and fillings – with these dental gift ideas.
1. Tooth pillow
Has your child started to lose their teeth? You can try to make the experience less upsetting and more comfortable by giving them their very own tooth pillow. These have a pocket that children can put their tooth into, then check in the morning to see if the tooth fairy’s left them a reward.
2. Tooth books
Knowledge is power. You can help to make daily brushing and visiting the dentist a normal part of your child’s life by educating them about why good oral hygiene is important. There are various books available from online sellers and bookstores that can teach kids about what sugar does to their teeth and why it’s so important to brush and floss. Even parents might learn a thing or two!
3. Sports mouthguard
If your child is old enough to play sports in and out of school, a custom mouthguard is a very practical present that will help to protect them from serious injuries. A mouthguard designed by your child’s dentist to be a perfect match for their teeth offers more protection than one bought from a store, as well as being more comfortable to wear.
4. Electric toothbrush
Do your kids need to improve their oral hygiene? If they find it hard to use their toothbrush to clean all areas of their mouth, their dentist might recommend going electric. Some people find electric toothbrushes easier to use, since they take care of the brushing motion for you – you only need to guide it.
Electric toothbrushes are made for kids aged 3 and over. Some are modelled after their favourite characters, or may play sounds and have other features to help them brush correctly. This can include songs that play for two minutes – the recommended amount of time you should brush – and instructions to make sure they’re brushing all areas of their mouth. Even if you buy a standard electric toothbrush, you can find similar features by downloading toothbrushing apps for your phone.
5. Flavoured floss
Do your kids floss every day? Flossing is an important part of an oral hygiene routine that should be combined with toothbrushing at least once a day, and it should start as soon as infants have two teeth that touch together.
If your child doesn’t like the experience of having their teeth cleaned with standard floss, they could respond better to specially designed kids’ flossers. These disposable cleaners have handles that can be easier to guide between the teeth than string floss, available in different colours and designs. Some also have floss with a tasty coating, whether they prefer mint or fruity flavours. Look for flossers coated in fluoride to give long-lasting protection to your children’s teeth.
Talk to a kids’ dentist in Mosman
If you need more advice about looking after your kids’ teeth, or they’re due for a check-up and clean, make an appointment with our family dentists at Mosman Dental today. Call (02) 9969 8610 or contact us online.