Her Active Gift Guide: Smiles for the Season at Her Active Life

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Her Active Gift Guide: Smiles for the Season

Posted December 5, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Valerie Cerami

Section: Her Gear & Apparel, Her Health, Her Motivation

Brush Teeth Gift-giving is everywhere this time of year, and Her Active Life wants to help you find or create that perfect, creative gift for your active friends and family. With our gift guide, the days of gym memberships and new hiking socks are long gone, and inventive new gifts (whether bought, made or experienced) are here, thanks to senior writer Valerie Cerami.

What do you do everyday (at least once)? Most people do it twice, and enthusiasts up to three times or more! Some bristle at the idea of time spent (3 minutes or so) on this daily ritual. Hint: electric or manual.

What will be a dazzling way to have the crowds “buzzing” over your smile?

The answer is: electric toothbrushes! It might sound odd, but these are a practical and unexpected gift to give this season. The replaceable heads are a perfect stocking stuffer, along with a tube of specialized red-peppermint flavored toothpaste for a fun treat!

Some advantages? Most have larger ergonomic handles, built-in timers, and some even dispense toothpaste for you. Plus, an electric toothbrush is a much better gift than a regular old, standard manual. Be a bit toothy this season and bestow a healthy alternative that’s sure to bring a smile.

Aside from the gift-giving aspect, the truth is that the best toothbrush that you can buy (for yourself or loved one) is the one that you will actually use. Both electric and manual toothbrushes have pros and cons; the bottom line is which one you will use.

To have teeth that rival the bright white beard of Santa, The American Dental Association recommends you should brush your teeth twice a day. You need those healthy choppers for candy canes to fruitcake (two of the hardest/crunchiest treats you’ll receive this year!).

It may sound too good to be true, but indulging in a delectably rich-n-gooey, sugary sweet dessert after your holiday feast is not all bad – a piece of chocolate mud cake is better for your teeth than a lemon slice with a diet coke chaser (note: I’m talking teeth, not waistline here).
Smile
It is proven that “acid wear” is a consequence of our preference for a modern, fast-food diet and acids in today’s food and drink (such as fruit juices, soft drinks, fruit tea, balsamic vinegar, fruit and wine). These acids can temporarily soften the enamel on the tooth surfaces, and over time this weakened surface may then become thinner as it is gradually worn down away by brushing. If you ignore acid wear, it will lead to more serious dental consequences.

To avoid dental problems, you can enjoy the foods and beverages you like, but be aware of how you consume them. For instance, don’t ruminate fruit in your mouth - swallow it after thoroughly chewing. Drink acidic liquids through a straw, avoiding your teeth, and wait one hour after consuming acidic foods or drinks before brushing, because the enamel surface is in a weakened state. Begin protecting your teeth now, because loss of enamel is irreversible.

If left to advance, the effects of acid erosion may require treatment from the dentist to restore and protect the teeth, and in extreme cases the damage caused may require teeth to be extracted. The effects of acid erosion can impact all ages and, again, once present, cannot be reversed - protection is the best policy. How can you prevent acid erosion? Aside from the prior tips, be sure to brush twice a day with a formulated toothpaste to re-harden softened enamel, and make regular visits to your dentist.

Early signs that warn of erosion include:

An important benefit to most electric toothbrushes is healthier gums, which means you greatly reduce your risk factors for gum disease and bone loss. Now, who wouldn’t opt to preserve those essential qualities?

So, brush-brush and get shop-shop-shopping! (And - please - don’t neglect to smile while you’re at it.) How many more reasons do you require? Electric toothbrushes are a creative idea to give and a great gift to receive this season.