Like it or not, the countdown to Christmas is well underway. On the plus side, acknowledge this inevitability ahead of time and you’re primed to get a head start on things. Particularly when it comes to Christmas shopping, which is far better taken care of in advance.
That is, unless you actually enjoy braving the crowds and panicking at the last minute!
If Christmas gift ideas don’t come easy to you, you’re certainly not in the minority. For millions of well-meaning gift-givers, choosing something practical, suitable and affordable is the ultimate challenge. Especially if looking to step away from the usual standards and offer something truly thoughtful.
But here’s a question – have you ever thought about giving the gift of an electric toothbrush?
In most instances, appliances don’t make particularly desirable Christmas gifts. Nevertheless, electric toothbrushes are rare exceptions to the rule for a number of reasons:
The gift of oral health and hygiene
For one thing, giving an electric toothbrush as a gift is about so much more than offering the usual token. It’s about giving the gift of better oral health and hygiene. It’s been proven time and time again that electric toothbrushes get the job done infinitely better than their manual counterparts. To experience an electric toothbrush is to understand why dentists both use and recommend them worldwide.
Positive change for life
You can rest assured that once they’ve given electric a go, they’ll never go back to manual. It just doesn’t happen. The benefits of a high-quality, dentist-recommended electric toothbrush are noticeable after the first use, changing the way the user approaches oral health and hygiene for life. So along with providing a welcome gift, you know you’re making a positive contribution to their future…in a way!
Something they don’t already have
An electric toothbrush can also be the perfect gift for the recipient who seems to already have everything. If they don’t already have an electric toothbrush, you can assume they probably wouldn’t buy one, either. All of which makes them the perfect recipient of a powered device.
A surprisingly affordable option
Even if you go for a relatively advanced model, an electric toothbrush can be surprisingly affordable. You can take things to extremes if you wish, but there are nonetheless devices on the market to suit all budgets from top to bottom. For as little as £20, you can pick up an electric toothbrush that carries the full recommendation of dentists.
Picking the Perfect Brush
If you’re convinced an electric toothbrush is the way to go, you’ll want to ensure you buy the right one. Or should that be, a suitable brush for the recipient you have in mind.
With literally thousands of different devices to choose from, it can seem like something of a minefield. Nevertheless, simply factor in the following and you’ll find it easy to narrow down the available options:
1. Brand
Above all else, it’s a good idea to stick with a trusted and recommended brand. Steer clear of any unbranded electric toothbrushes coming in from the Far East. Tempting as they may be, they’re unlikely to have been put through the same safety tests as those from major brands. If unsure, simply speak to a pharmacist or dentist and ask for their recommendations.
2. Battery or Rechargeable?
Some electric toothbrushes are rechargeable, while others are powered by standard AA batteries. Once again, it’s down to you to determine which represents the better option for the recipient. That said, rechargeable brushes almost always work out more economical to operate long-term. But if the recipient spends most of their life travelling, they may benefit from a battery-powered brush.
3. Portability
The vast majority of electric toothbrushes are fantastically portable. Nevertheless, some come supplied with complete travel kits for maximum convenience. Once again therefore, you’ll need to think about the personal preferences of the recipient. If they’re out and about on a regular basis, you might want to think about a brush that’s designed with portability in mind.
4. Specialist requirements
If you’re aware of any specific requirements the recipient has, factor them into your purchase decision. For example, if they’re regularly whitening their teeth, think about an electric toothbrush with a special whitening mode. If you know that they have sensitive teeth, ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable brush accordingly. Electric toothbrushes cater to just about all specialist needs these days. It’s simply a case of assigning priorities and ensuring you pick up the most appropriate brush,
5. Replacement Heads
It’s also a good idea to determine how easy (or otherwise) it is to pick up replacement heads. Every few months, the recipient of the electric toothbrush will need to change its head for health and hygiene reasons. In addition, some brushes have specialist heads for whitening, sensitive teeth, extra-powerful cleaning and so on. Some replacement heads are cheap to buy, others are painfully expensive. All the kinds of things you need to be thinking about when choosing a brush.
7. Bluetooth Connectivity
On one hand, you could argue that Bluetooth connectivity in a toothbrush is excessive. On the other hand, there’s no denying how much fun it can be! If the intended recipient is into gadgets and you don’t mind spending a little more, a Bluetooth toothbrush comes highly recommended. Coupled with a specially designed app, such devices make it easy to keep the closest possible eye on your oral hygiene regime. They’re also becoming more affordable all the time.
8. Customer Reviews
Last up, always be sure to see what past and present customers have to say about any brush, before going ahead and buying it. Some brushes have earned rave reviews from millions of users worldwide, others consistently disappoint. Particularly if planning on buying online, it’s a good idea to see what’s being said about the brush ahead of time. Or once again, ask your dentist or pharmacist to point you in the right direction.
