During the holidays we are bombarded with advertising for chocolates, baked goods and high-calorie specialty drinks. It’s no wonder we start the New Year feeling sluggish and resolving to avoid these temptations that we know aren’t good for our health.
From a dental perspective, these holiday indulgences aren’t good for our teeth either.
This year, for holiday gifting, there are some pretty wonderful gifts you can give that won’t send the gift recipient to the gym in January.
Gift #1: An Electric Toothbrush
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time with a soft-bristled toothbrush is one of the best ways to fight tooth decay. Brushing with a toothbrush or any product that has earned the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance means that there is scientific evidence, which has been carefully evaluated by the ADA, that the product has demonstrated that it is safe and effective. 1
While the ADA believes that both manual and electric toothbrushes are effective, there has been a review of studies which revealed that electric toothbrushes, especially oscillating (rotating) toothbrushes, decrease 21 percent more plaque and 11 percent more gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. 2 Most electric toothbrushes also have timers which vibrate when you should switch your brush to a new quadrant of your mouth, reminding you to brush each area thoroughly. They also remain on for an entire two minutes, so there is no having to watch the clock or guess if you have brushed for the recommended amount of time.
Buying an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor is also advantageous as it will automatically alert the user if they are brushing too aggressively.
Good electric toothbrushes range from $25 to $250 per toothbrush. The Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5300 Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush, for example, is an Amazon Choice for $99.95 and has also earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Another Amazon Choice electric toothbrush, which has also earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance is the Oral-B Pro 1000 CrossAction Electric Toothbrush which sells on the site for $29.97. Six Oral-B electric toothbrushes have received the ADA Seal.3 Replacement brush heads, which generally should be changed every three to four months, usually cost between $5 to $8 each.
Your dentist or dental hygienist is the best person to ask for advice on which type of replacement brush head to purchase, as there are replacement heads for sensitive teeth, those targeted for plaque removal, those targeted toward healthier gums or whiter teeth, etc. When buying an electric toothbrush as a gift, try to stay with a more generic brush head. The recipient can always replace the brush head with one that works best for them.
Gift #2: A Water Flosser
Studies have shown that water flossers are superior to dental floss in removing plaque, especially between teeth. In one study, the Waterpik Water Flosser was found to be 29 percent more effective than string floss for overall plaque removal and 29 percent for approximal surfaces (those surfaces which form points of contact between adjacent teeth).4 Five water flossers, also called powered interdental cleaners or oral irrigators, have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance. They include four Waterpik flossers and the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser.5 The Philips Sonicare Power Flosser retails on Amazon for $99.99 and the #1 Top Selling Water Flosser on Amazon, the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser Professional, retails for $76.49. Manual flossing is still better than not flossing at all, but for those that don’t floss regularly, a water flosser might be the best gift ever.
Gift #3: Quip – A Customizable Purchase and Refill Plan for All Your Dental Hygiene Needs
Quip has been advertising quite frequently on cable stations across the U.S. The company website is www.getquip.com6 and they offer dental hygiene products all in one place. You can order products, such as sleek electric toothbrushes for adults and kids, starting at $25. The toothbrushes they offer are ADA accepted as is the toothpaste they offer. Other products include refillable string floss and picks, sugar-free gum with a refillable dispenser, and mouthwash with a refillable dispenser. The site allows customer to order one-time supplies or discounted product bundles. The site also provides a way to sign up (or subscribe) for automatic refills of items such as electric toothbrush head refills, fresh floss and toothpaste. These products are automatically delivered every three months from $5 with free shipping for life. If you don’t know what to get for that special person on your gift list, Quip also offers gift cards in denominations of $25, $50, $75 and $100.
It isn’t uncommon for consumers to buy items for themselves when holiday shopping. Statistics reveal that over half of holiday shoppers (51 percent), will buy themselves gifts, too, with the most popular gifts being food, liquor and new clothes.7 In light of this, any oral care item would be a healthy way to say, “Happy Holidays” to yourself.
Dentistry that Meets Your Needs
A healthy and bright smile is priceless, and Sedki Dentistry is here to help you maintain it. Our Commerce Twp dental office is full service and ready to handle the dental health needs and concerns for the entire family. Dr. Sedki has more than 20 years of experience in cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, children’s dentistry and more. His expertise and training in the latest techniques and procedures in modern dentistry will help you achieve and keep a healthy mouth and smile for life. Call for a Free Consultation today!
__________________
1 Toothbrushes
Link: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/toothbrushes
2 Is It Better to Use an Electric or a Manual Toothbrush? by Taylor Norris, 3/8/2019
Link: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/electric-toothbrush-vs-manual#electric-pros
3 Oral-B ADA Accepted and Recognized Toothbrushes
Link: https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/why-oral-b/electric-toothbrushes/ada-accepted-recognized-electric-toothbrushes/#:~:text=The%20ADA%E2%80%99s%20Seal%20of%20Acceptance%20was%20founded%20in,plaque%20and%20helping%20to%20prevent%20and%20reduce%20gingivitis.
4 Evaluation of the Plaque Removal Efficacy of a Water Flosser Compared to String Floss in Adults After a Single Use, Journal of Clinical Dentistry, 2013; 24(2):37-42.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24282867/#:~:text=The%20differences%20between%20the%20groups%20showed%20the%20water,33%25%2C%2039%25%2C%20and%2024%25%2C%20respectively%20%28p%20%3C%200.001%29.
5 ADA Accepted Products: Powered Interdental Cleaners or Oral Irrigators
Link: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/ada-seal-of-acceptance/product-search#sort=%40productname%20ascending&f:@category=[Powered%20Interdental%20Cleaners%20or%20Oral%20Irrigators]
6 Quip
Link: https://www.getquip.com/store/products/electric-toothbrush-set
7 Christmas Spending Statistics: Deck the Halls with Boughs of Money, by G. Dautovic, 11/16/2021
Link: https://fortunly.com/statistics/christmas-spending-statistics/