Oral Health Gifts Keep Giving Great Results for Years
Oral health gifts just might be the best gifts ever because they keep doing the job long after other gifts lose their shine. If there is one thing most of us have in common, it is the fact that we have teeth and a desire to take care of them. Why? Because once they are ruined, it is expensive, and often painful, to repair the damage done. Without the repairs, the fundamentals of life — like eating and smiling — can be difficult or impossible.
So, when you look for the perfect gift that says to people on your holiday list that you truly care, consider something for their teeth. Oral health gifts are perfect for giving and will not often end up in the regifting closet. Consider things like electric toothbrushes, water flossers, whitening products, and gift certificates to their dentist or orthodontist.
Keeping teeth healthy not only improves your smile, it also can improve your overall health and help you live longer. Clean healthy teeth lowers the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. It also improves the quality of your social life and the likelihood that you will succeed in your career.
An Electric Toothbrush is Most Popular in the Holiday Oral Health Gifts
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), both electric and manual toothbrushes are effective at removing oral plaque that causes decay and disease. Of course, both electric and manual toothbrushes each have their own benefits. Therefore, the ADA puts a Seal of Acceptance on any toothbrush, electric or manual, that is proven safe and effective. A manual toothbrush is always a great stocking stuffer but nothing impresses like an electric toothbrush.
Electric toothbrush bristles vibrate or rotate to help you remove plaque buildup from your teeth and gums. The vibration allows for more micro-movements every time you move your toothbrush across your teeth. There are a number of advantages to using an electric toothbrush. For example, an electric toothbrush is more effective at removing plaque. Studies showed electric toothbrushes decrease more plaque and gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. After three months of use, the plaque was reduced by 21 percent and gingivitis by 11 percent. Plus, a built-in timer in your electric toothbrush ensures you are brushing long enough.
Another good thing about the electric toothbrush is that it improves your focus on brushing. A study conducted by Trusted Source found that using an electric toothbrush improved the overall brushing experience and therefore improved how well people were cleaning their teeth. Finally, those with limited mobility resulting from carpal tunnel, arthritis, or developmental disabilities benefit from a much-improved brushing experience when using an electric toothbrush.
For those who are in touch with the environment, electric toothbrushes result in less waste entering the landfill in the short term including replacement of the brush head only rather than the complete toothbrush when the bristles are worn. Unfortunately, you will eventually have to replace the entire product.
Special Oral Health Gifts for People Wearing Braces
Without a doubt, an electric toothbrush can be very helpful when it comes to caring for your braces. So can a water flosser. When used properly, these important tools can aid your treatment. Please visit with your orthodontist at Sky Ortho, or wherever you are a patient, for tips on how to brush and floss your teeth properly with orthodontic appliances. Dr. Priscilla Larson and Dr. Ryan Fitzgerald are happy to visit with you about your appliance type and what are the best tools to use. For more information on the effectiveness of electric toothbrushes and flossers with orthodontic appliances, please check out this National Library of Medicine study that found such tools were particularly helpful for people with orthodontic appliances, such as braces.
Most electric toothbrushes from the leading brands are safe to use with braces. They will not cause your brackets to detach from the tooth. That is because the bond between the bracket and the tooth is more than strong enough to withstand an electric toothbrush. Neither will damage occur to the wires and elastics when using an electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush and water flosser can be used with fixed metal, incognito, ceramic, clear, invisible, lingual, or self-ligating braces. In addition, electric toothbrushes and water flossers are safe with removable braces (when removed, of course), such as Invisalign.
It can be a real challenge to clean your teeth well when you have braces or other orthodontic appliances like a palate expander. Orthodontic appliances get in the way of your toothbrush, and they make flossing difficult. And food can become lodged in the appliance, which is unsightly and bad for your teeth. Using a water flosser, like Waterpik, can make things a lot easier and it is three times more effective than traditional flossing. When shopping for a water flosser, look for one that comes with a special Orthodontic Tip. It features a tapered brush that removes hard-to-reach plaque around brackets, wires, and other orthodontic hardware (learn more about how to floss with braces using a Waterpik® Water Flosser).
Giving the Gift of Orthodontic Services
Never underestimate the importance of preventing the buildup of plaque and removing extra food particles from orthodontic appliances. This attention to detail is critical to maintaining good oral health during your treatment.
Have you ever wanted to help a family member or friend that is struggling to pay for improving their smile? What could be a more well-meaning, heartfelt gift than one that is intended for the health and welfare of another? There are many ways that you can help a loved one pay for much-needed orthodontic care. Call their orthodontist today to inquire about helping to pay off a grown child’s account or the account of a grandchild. Ask about a gift certificate for teeth whitening or other services. Sky Ortho has a special now on retainer packages. Call and inquire today, or email us here to learn more. Everyone knows how frequently children and teens lose their retainers. Our retainer package can save you money.
