Maintaining good oral health during the holiday season could be difficult because of busy schedules and wonderful tasty treats. Candy canes, peppermint hot chocolate, and cookies galore are sweet treats to enjoy during the cheerful season, but are not so great for your teeth. However, here are some healthier options suggested by Colgate to enjoy your cheerful, wonderful holiday season.
Holiday Activity Fun
Fill your child’s countdown with special moments that they will cherish all year round. For each day of the month come up with a fun holiday activity that you can do together as a family. Some ideas include: watching a holiday movie, going ice skating, building a snowman and looking at Christmas lights. Write down the activity on a slip of paper and tuck one note into each day of your advent calendar.
A Puzzling Treat
Give your child a fun challenge with a customized puzzle. Draw a picture or write a special message on a blank puzzle. Break the pieces apart and place one puzzle piece in each day of your advent calendar. Every day your child can add the pieces together until they have a completed puzzle revealing a special holiday message or fun activity to do together.
Sugar-Free Trinkets
Find some simple trinkets to fill each day on your calendar instead of candy. The dollar store is a great place to find fun items without spending a lot. Some ideas include a box of crayons, hair clips, small cars and bouncing balls. Be sure to include a new toothbrush on one day to encourage good oral care during the holidays.
Story-A-Day
Nothing beats the gift of a good story, except maybe several good stories. Pick out a holiday-themed book for every day of your countdown. Wrap each book individually and number the packages for each day of the month. Have your child open a new book each night at bedtime and read it together.
Celebrating the holidays can still be joyous even without loads of candy and sweet treats. Get creative and come up with your own sugar-free countdown treats
Bonus Gift Idea
Looking for a last minute gift for your loved ones and friends? How about the gift of dental health! Show that you care about them with gifts for their teeth! Here are some gift options that benefit dental health:

Water Flosser
Water flossers make it much easier to clean between teeth and remove leftover food particles. However, even though it cannot replace flossing completely, adding water flossing helps maintain excellent gum health. Pictured to the left: Waterpik Cordless Plus Water Flosser – WP-450W. This a great solution when you want the convenience of cordless water flossing. Rechargeable and portable, it’s perfect for use in smaller bathrooms or for travel.

Electric Toothbrush
An electric toothbrush has many benefits over a manual toothbrush, such as more effective plaque removal, fun for kids, safe for gums, and mobility convenience. Pictured to the left: Philips Sonicare Protective Clean 4100
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