Stocking Stuffers that are Better for Teeth

[su_note note_color=”#FFFFFF”]// This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Dental Association. //[/su_note]

I'm a huge advocate of brushing, flossing, and fluoride – dental health is so important! This past summer, Melanie had her first visit to the dentist and they discovered what was suspected to be the beginnings of a cavity on one of her back molars. Since we have another appointment in a few weeks, I've been all over trying to find stocking stuffers that are better for teeth during this candy-crazy holiday season. That's when I realized that one of my family's sweetest Christmas morning traditions was also a healthy one!

Every Christmas morning, for as long as I can remember, there was always a tangerine or mandarin in the toe of my stocking. Growing up in rural Alaska, where fresh fruit was almost non-existent and incredibly expensive, this was a really special treat. I've since passed that tradition on to my two kids – both of whom adore it. They snag those “baby oranges” up so fast and ask for us to peel them right away! Who needs candy on Christmas? Not my kids… well, that's not entirely true, but it's nice to know that we parents don't have to rely on sweets to make a great stocking.

In addition to an orange in the toe of your kid's stocking, try these great, tooth-friendly stocking stuffer ideas:

• Chocolate (instead of hard candies since it washes off teeth easier)
• Stickers
• Crayons or markers
• Small stuffed animals
• Movie tickets
• Fidget spinners
• Silly socks
• A banana
• blocks
• Slinkys
• Fruit pouches
• Books
• Beef jerky
• Mini cheeses
• Playdough
• Action figures
• Comic books
• Hair bows
• Card games

According to the American Dental Association, there are multiple ways that you can encourage your kids to practice good oral health. Fluoride is so important, so make sure that they're brushing their teeth twice a day with toothpaste that includes it. In addition, keep some kid-friendly floss or flossers on hand so your crew can clean their teeth on a daily basis. Look for products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance (you can ask your dentist to recommend some during one of your kids's regular dentist visits). Last but not least, it's cool for your children to enjoy treats but do it in moderation. Try to maintain a healthy diet with lots of greens and limit their sugar consumption.

[su_note note_color=”#FFFFFF”]// This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Dental Association. //[/su_note]