Two Halloween Braces-Friendly Treats

If you have visited any of the fun pumpkin patches near Saint Charles, you’ll see all the family activities and be reminded of the fun Halloween is with all the costumes, trick-or-treating and endless treats, all making this time of year a fun time.

Halloween can also be a tricky time if you have braces and while there are certain foods you should stay away, there are some types of candies you can eat on Halloween, that won’t damage your braces. Check out our other blog on all the information on Halloween and candies. Here are two Halloween braces-friendly treats you can eat on Halloween night.

1. Brownies:
A sweet treat that is braces-friendly is brownies. Brownies or other soft pastries won’t damage your braces and are an enjoyable treat on Halloween. Softness is key because your wires and brackets won’t be damaged. Be sure to brush up after eating treats and stick to your oral hygiene routine.

2. Chocolate:
Sugary treats affect our teeth in different ways, especially when it comes to orthodontic treatment and the overall health of our teeth and our oral hygiene routine. Chocolate that has no nuts, is not hard or has additional sticky stuff is the best route to go on Halloween night (and beyond). Chocolate is so delicious, and one of the most popular types of candy given out on Halloween. Chocolate washes off your teeth easier than any other type of candy. Dark chocolate also has less sugar than regular milk chocolate.

Minimize sugary treats and foods and stick to oral hygiene routines. Check out more information here on what to do if a loose or poking archwires happen or brackets become loose. It’s important to regularly check your braces for bent or lose wires and brackets.

Kelly Orthodontics is a family-oriented practice that has been in St. Charles for 40 years. We are proud of the relationships we build with our patients and our focus on finding the orthodontic solutions that are right for your family. Schedule a complimentary consultation today.

Halloween Sweets and Your Teeth

Not only is October Halloween, but also National Orthodontic Health Month!

There is an endless amount of free sugar given out and will surely make you happy, however for your teeth, that is another story. These sugary treats can affect your teeth in different ways, especially when it comes to orthodontic treatment and the overall health of your teeth.  Halloween is about having fun, dressing up and eating candy. It’s important to stick to your routines and be sure to brush your teeth, floss and wear your retainer.

Here are common types of Halloween candy and their impact on your teeth. You might want to stay away from these types, especially if you have braces.

Sticky Gummy Candies: Sticky, gummy type candies are the worst type of candy for your teeth. It is harder to remove and stay longer on your teeth. This is especially bad for those who just received orthodontic treatment such as braces.

Hard Candies: You want to watch out for hard candies on Halloween and beyond. These can break your teeth and can be damaging if you have braces. On top of that, hard candies can cause the sugar to wash all over your teeth. This is due to having the hard candy for longer periods in your mouth.

Sour Candy: It’s no secret how important the enamel on your tooth is. Acidic foods are harmful to your enamel and can cause it to erode, exposing your tooth to being more vulnerable to cavities. You can pass on sour candy because of the acidity.

Popcorn Balls: These are often a big hit on Halloween night. You may find a couple of these in your child’s Halloween bucket. Have some floss on hand after enjoying these treats. Please be aware, if you have braces, these are probably not an ideal treat.