Stocking Stuffers That are Good for your Kids’ Teeth
Thanks to Orajel for sponsoring this post.
One of my family’s favorite parts of Christmas morning is opening our Christmas stockings. Why fill your stockings with sugary treats when you can fill them with stocking stuffers that are good for your kids’ teeth?
We gathered together some of our favorite stocking stuffer ideas that will help your kids end the year with healthy teeth and gums.
Fresh fruit
Growing up, my mom always put a fresh orange in the toe of our stocking. She grew up with the same tradition and remembered it being a huge treat. While I don’t remember being as excited as she was about that tradition growing up, it was always fun to slice up our fruit and enjoy it for breakfast Christmas morning.
Change things up by including fruit that your kids don’t have every day. Try fresh pomegranate, dragon fruit, or mango.
A giant, fresh apple never fails either . . . and we know that an apple a day keeps the doctor (and dentist) away.
A Brand New Toothbrush
I love ending the year fresh with a new toothbrush, and fortunately, my kids get excited about this too. We make sure to pick fun toothbrushes from Orajel that feature their favorite characters. My twins are obsessed with Elmo right now so the Elmo Tooth and Gum Cleanser set from Orajel is going to be a huge hit for them.
Toothpaste
Everyone in my house wants their own toothpaste. This works great for limiting the spread of germs a bit during the winter months but, with 8 people in my house, that means we are buying a lot of toothpaste.
We take the chance to stuff my kids’ stockings with a special tube of toothpaste that they will get excited about. My daughter is absolutely obsessed with Paw Patrol so the Paw Patrol toothpaste from Orajel will be a hit with her.
She loves having a toothpaste that is just for her. It is something that she needs anyway but getting it in her stocking turns it into a fun gift (and makes it easier to encourage her to brush her teeth well after all those Christmas treats).
Toothbrush timer
Are your kids brushing their teeth too fast? It’s important to start kids off with good habits while they are young. If they aren’t brushing their teeth for long enough now, that’s a habit that can tend to stick with them long-term.
Get fun timers your kids can use to make sure they are brushing their teeth for long enough to put in their stockings. You can find timers with fun designs. A simple timer is probably best for younger kids.
Anticavity Fluoride Rinse
Do you have a child old enough to use a fluoride rinse? Dentists generally recommend you don’t start using rinses until the age of 6 but it is a great habit to get your kids into once they reach that point. Orajel has some great (and mild tasting) options for kids age 6+, including one featuring your kids’ favorite Paw Patrol characters!
water bottle
Forget the sugary drinks. Those are not only terrible on your kids’ teeth but they are nothing but empty calories. Get a fun water bottle your kids can use throughout the day. They’ll love having one that is just for them and it will encourage kids to drink more water (something most of us should probably be doing).
Encourage your kids to have a drink of water after each meal if they don’t have time to brush so they can clean their mouth out a bit and protect their teeth.
Small toys and games
Instead of sugary treats, opt for small toys and games instead. Look for fun pencil sets, travel games, action figures, and more. For older kids, gift cards are a great option. We look for gift cards that give experiences like a trip to the movies, bowling, or a dinner out with mom or dad.
Changing the focus from candy and sugary treats to things my kids can do or play with makes the holiday more fun for everyone and we don’t have to worry about expensive dentist bills down the road.
