Last Minute Tooth-tastic Gifts

Running late on holiday shopping? Afraid your kids’ stockings will be empty this year? Just interested in including a little “health education” into your gifts this year? Look no further! Your Gladstone OR dentist, Dr. Mosley, has got it figured out for you.

Books

If you are a parent of small children, you may have a personal investment in expanding your child’s library now and then to keep from going insane from reading the same thing over and over! Why not combine a love of literature with some lessons in oral health? We recommend the following tried and true books for your small one’s enjoyment:

  • The Tooth Book, by Dr. Suess
  • Brush Your Teeth Please, by Leslie McGuire (a pop-up book)
  • I Know Why I Brush My Teeth, by Kate Rowan
  • The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist, by Stan and Jan Berenstain
  • Just Going to the Dentist, by Mercer Meyer

Fairy Accessories

Is your child getting ready to begin that ritual of childhood– losing teeth? Make the transition fun and exciting with some some fairy accessories. There are a host of possibilities for where and how to leave a tooth for the fairy: a special handmade dish? A tiny box? A pouch? Maybe you would like to give your child a tooth fairy kit and construct one together! Creating fun around the tooth fairy is a great way to normalize losing baby teeth and talk about the event together so that your child understands how the process works and doesn’t feel frightened when it does!

Anatomy

For older kids, learning about dental anatomy can be really fun. Coloring books and models are great ways to start naming and describing teeth, as well as understanding how teeth are formed, how they attach to the bones in our jaws, and how to take care of them. For creative parents and kids, try purchasing colorful children’s clay sets and building your own models together! It’s OK if the teeth aren’t anatomically correct– art rarely is.

Toys

It may seem a little silly, but there are many toothy toys out there– tooth pillows, purses, bags, and more. As fluffy as they may seem, drawing attention to teeth, and by extension, oral hygiene, is helpful in every way possible. Explore some homemade options on Etsy or make your own. Even the most playful representations of healthy, happy teeth can make a difference in how our kids choose to take care of their own!

Finally– Happy Holidays, and….

… while you shop, don’t forget to keep up with your regular dental appointments. The holidays can be a very busy time, making it easy to forget to schedule that next visit– and around this time of year, slots also fill up fast!

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Mosley now– we look forward to seeing you!

Photo Credit: A is for Angie via Compfight cc