{"id":13035,"date":"2018-12-13T12:01:47","date_gmt":"2018-12-13T17:01:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drmaggiedavis.com\/?p=13035"},"modified":"2018-12-13T12:01:47","modified_gmt":"2018-12-13T17:01:47","slug":"smile-stocking-stuffer-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drmaggiedavis.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/13\/smile-stocking-stuffer-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Smile About These Stocking Stuffer Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"Stocking stuffers are one of those things parents rarely spend a lot of time thinking about. They tend to just grab whatever small items they can think of or that are easy to find, such as candy, gums, sweet treats, and tiny toys. Grabbing these types of items may be a quick and easy solution, but it isn\u2019t always the best as it results in purchasing useless toys and unhealthy snacks.<\/span>\n\nInstead of stuffing your child\u2019s stocking with a bunch of useless or unhealthy items why not choose stuff that will help improve the health of your child\u2019s teeth and gums. In an effort to help you save time this holiday season, we have created a list of mouth-healthy stocking stuffers.<\/span>\n\nCan\u2019t Go Wrong with a Toothbrush<\/strong>\n\nIt may seem practical, but really you can\u2019t go wrong with adding one or two toothbrushes to your child\u2019s stocking. After all, you should be switching out your child\u2019s toothbrush every three to four months, so this will come in handy in the future.<\/span>\n\nWhen shopping for a toothbrush to use as a stocking stuffer, consider finding a special one that your child will enjoy. Toothbrushes come in a variety of different colors and even feature characters from your children\u2019s favorite movies and TV shows. Picking one of these types of toothbrushes will not only make the gift seem special, it could make it fun for your child to brush their teeth.<\/span>\n\nWant to Give Candy? Pick Sugar-free Options or Gum Sweetened with Xylitol<\/strong>\n\nAvoid disappointing your child by only giving them a stocking filled with healthy practical items and make sure to add a few sugar-free candies or gum sweetened with xylitol. These items will allow your child to enjoy a sweet treat without completely damaging their teeth.<\/span>\n\nIn fact, gum sweetened with xylitol has been proven to improve people\u2019s oral health. It has been proven in various dental studies that chewing this type of gum increases saliva production which helps keep your mouth healthy by removing harmful bacteria and plaque.<\/span>\n\nHave an Athlete in the Family? Get a Mouth Guard<\/strong>\n\nIf you have a child who is an athlete you know how easy it is for mouth guards to go missing. Even if your child doesn\u2019t misplace them or lose them, they still need to be replaced every couple of months as bacteria can build up in them. Luckily, mouth guards make great stocking stuffers.<\/span>\n\nSlip a brand new mouth guard into your child\u2019s stocking this year and they will be fully prepared to engage in favorite sports activities without worrying about if their teeth will be damaged.<\/span>\n\nFlavored Toothpaste and Dental Floss<\/strong>\n\nChildren go through a lot of toothpaste and dental floss. Fill your child\u2019s stocking with some flavored toothpaste and dental floss. It is practical and something they will use every day.<\/span>\n\nWhy flavored toothpaste and dental floss? Children tend to find brushing and flossing to be a boring task. Using flavored toothpaste and dental floss will make the experience more fun. If your child is having fun, they are more likely to make sure they brush and floss at least twice a day.<\/span>\n\nHealthy Snacks<\/strong>\n\nGetting a stocking full of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss can be disappointing especially if you are a child who was looking forward to sweet treats. Help your child avoid being disappointed by adding some healthy snacks to their stocking.<\/span>\n\nSome options for healthy snacks include:<\/span>\n