Give the gift of oral health this holiday season

Since the consumption of cookies and candies – and their potential harm to everyone’s teeth – is inevitable this holiday season, Delta Dental recommends stuffing your loved one's stocking with gifts that combat tooth decay – like a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss and sugar-free gum.

“Eating foods that are high in sugar, without proper oral care, can result in tooth decay and cavities,” says Ken Sutherland, DDS, a senior dental consultant at Delta Dental. “What better way to counteract the extra sugars and starches we often consume during the holiday season than to give your friends and family the tools to care for their teeth.”

If not removed by brushing or other means, sugars in the mouth can contribute to tooth decay. Naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth form a colorless, sticky film called plaque. Cavity-causing organisms within plaque feed on sugar and turn it into acid, which attacks tooth enamel and leads to tooth decay.

“But proper brushing and flossing and chewing sugar-free gum are easy ways to fight tooth decay,” says Dr. Sutherland.

That's why Delta Dental recommends the following stocking stuffers to promote oral health this holiday season.

• A toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste – Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is an effective strategy for fighting tooth decay. Removing plaque left by holiday sweets will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

  For gift-giving, an alternative to the conventional toothbrush is the electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes come with vibrating, oscillating or sonic brush heads; and the basic models are relatively inexpensive.

  Besides brush type, you also have a choice of bristle type. Hard bristle toothbrushes were once recommended but have since been shown to be too abrasive to the teeth and gums. Give a toothbrush with soft, rounded nylon bristles.

• Dental floss – While a toothbrush is effective in cleaning tooth surfaces, the bristles cannot adequately clean between the teeth. Dental floss will help remove food from those hard-to-reach areas.

  There are many types of dental floss to choose from – unwaxed or waxed, flavored or unflavored, and regular or wide. Waxed floss may be easier to slide through tight teeth, while unwaxed floss will spread out its fibers during use for greater tooth contact. For a special treat, give holiday-flavored floss, like cinnamon.

• Sugar-free gum – Acids in the mouth have a detrimental effect on tooth enamel. Many studies have shown that chewing sugar-free gum after meals and snacks helps reduce the acid level and can stimulate the flow of saliva, which cleanses the mouth, especially at times when brushing is impractical. Give gum that includes xylitol, an artificial sweetener believed to reduce the incidence of cavities.

The oral health information on this website is intended for educational purposes only. You should always consult a licensed dentist or other qualified health care professional for any questions concerning your oral health.