Halloween is a fun time for kids and adults alike but if you wear braces you should practice caution when enjoying all of those treats!
What to avoid…
Certain sweets can cause some serious damage to your teeth and braces, which can delay precious treatment time. Hard candies, chewy candies, caramels, taffy, nutty goodies, jelly beans, licorice, bubble gum, suckers, Tootsie Rolls, and sour candies are some of the foods that can cause havoc for trick or treaters who are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Skittles and M&M’s may seem innocent, but those tiny pieces of candy love to slip inside wires and pop off brackets. Better stay away. Furthermore, sour and fruity candies like Starbursts and Skittles are the worst because they are highly acidic, which can wear down the enamel that protects your teeth, paving the way for tooth decay and cavities.
What is better to eat…
Candy such as dark chocolate, sugar-free gum, or anything that contains the sugar substitute xylitol is not as harmful for your teeth as hard, chewy, or sticky sweets. Experts at the American Association of Orthodontists recommend softer treats or melt-in-your-mouth foods. These include:
Soft chocolate (Hershey’s Kisses are in the clear!)
Peanut butter cups (Go for those Reese’s Cups!)
Gelatin treats
Ice cream
Smoothies
Root beer floats
Apple cider
Cookies and crackers (Just be careful about hardness.)
Apples (Great in bite-size pieces! Don’t bite into a candied/caramel apple, but feel free to dip it in sauce.)
Kit Kat Bars
Three Musketeers
Malt Balls
Sweet Tarts
Peppermint Patties
Cookies and Cream
Snow Caps
As always, if you have any questions, please contact us and we will be glad to answer them!
Source: Google