Stockings are a great place to pack “little” gifts, like caramel popcorn, flavored gum, or peppermint bark. Since these treats have the potential to cause a bracket or wire to break, it’s important that your child avoids them altogether for now. Naturally, that might leave you wondering, “What are some braces-friendly stocking stuffer gifts?” Keep reading for a few ideas!
1. An Electric Toothbrush
Is your child still using a manual toothbrush? Then ask their dentist if it’s time for an upgrade! Electric toothbrushes can help make cleaning their teeth and their braces easier. Plus, many brands have replaceable heads that can be delivered automatically, which helps prevent plastic waste and makes switching out the bristles every three months easier than ever.
2. Flavored Toothpaste
Does your child think oral hygiene is boring? Here’s some good news: it doesn’t have to be! Instead of sticking to the standard minty flavor, give them a cinnamon, bubble gum, or peppermint one. Just make sure that it has the ADA Seal of Approval or that their dentist gives it the thumbs-up first. After all, you want to pick one that is fun and effective.
3. Colorful Floss
Colorful floss is another great way to spice up your child’s oral hygiene routine. You can also look for pre-threaded floss, which makes maneuvering the string around the brackets and wires significantly easier. It may seem small, but these changes can make all the difference in your child’s motivation to consistently floss!
4. Sugar-Free Candy
Of course, the holidays wouldn’t quite be the same without candy. Don’t worry – your child doesn’t have to steer clear of sweet treats entirely because of their braces. However, it is a good idea to opt for sugar-free options when you can. Otherwise, choose dark and milk chocolate over sticky, sour gummies – those can tug on your child’s braces and cling to their teeth for hours on end.
5. A Polaroid Camera
Your child’s smile is going to undergo a major transformation between their first and last appointment. What better way to document that progress than with a polaroid camera? Then, they’ll have a fun way to see how far they’ve come!
6. A Fun Travel Case
Does your child have a case for their rubber bands? Maybe they need something to hold their oral hygiene supplies while they are sleeping over at a friend’s house, camping, or traveling. Either way, you should consider getting them a storage case or bag with a fun color or their favorite character! It’s a great upgrade from the standard clear ones they get at the beginning of their treatment.
With these stocking stuffer gifts, your child can have a holiday season that their tastebuds and their oral health will love!
About the Practice
Our team at Simply Orthodontics Milford loves helping patients of all ages achieve beautiful smiles and healthy bites! Plus, we go out of our way to help parents navigate life with braces, including braces-friendly items to pack in their child’s school lunch and orthodontist-approved items for their stocking. If you have a question about pediatric orthodontics or you’d like to schedule an appointment for your little one, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (508) 473-2002.