It’s no accident that October is National Orthodontic Health Month. This is the time of year that thousands of kids go crazy for Halloween candy — and it seems like the stickier and crunchier, the better. For kids and teens with braces, that can be a potentially dangerous situation. We want to help you avoid sticky situations with orthodontics in Canfield! In this week’s blog post, we focus on 5 tips YOU can take to protect your child’s braces this halloween.
#1: Forget the Sticky Foods
From popcorn to caramel, taffy, bubble gum, and nutty candies, it seems like halloween was made for all the foods on the “do not eat with braces” list. Chewing on these foods can quickly dislodge a bracket or pop off a wire that will soon rub a blister in the soft oral tissues and/or lead to delayed orthodontic treatment. To avoid damaging braces, talk to your child about the importance of staying away from these foods — and don’t hand them out to your own trick-or-treaters.
#2: Stick With Soft, Instead
Wondering what you will pass out if you stay away from caramels and candy bars? It’s not so difficult to find braces-approved candies if you’re committed to indulging your halloween guests. Peanut butter cuts, soft chocolates, and peppermint patties are all safer alternatives.
#3: Try Making Your Own Treats
But if you want to have a little fun this halloween, why not try your hand at making your own treats instead? Selecting some soft recipes can be a nice project to do with your kids, and that way you can guarantee that what you are handing out is nutritious and safe for every orthodontic appliances. We especially like halloween recipes from the American Association of Orthodontists’ website!
#4: Plan Well
You can help reduce the chances that your child will go crazy on halloween night by doing a little meal planning on the day of trick-or-treating. By feeding your family a nutritious, balanced dinner right before they head out for the night, you can help them be less inclined to gorge on candy and treats.
#5: Schedule a Visit With The Dentist
No matter how dedicated YOU are to helping your child have a healthy halloween, they may not be so convinced. With so much sugar around this time of year, their teeth are at a higher risk of cavities — especially if they have braces, which make thorough brushing and flossing a little more difficult. Scheduling an appointment with your general dentist for a checkup and cleaning this time of year can help to protect their smiles for a healthy holiday season.
About the Author
Dr. Marissa Mikolich has over a decade of experience helping patients of all ages in and around Canfield achieve straighter teeth and more attractive smiles. For questions on what to eat and avoid with braces or to schedule a consultation, please do not hesitate to get in touch with her office at 330-967-4110.