BOO! Spooky season is here! Grab your pumpkins, scary costumes and sweet treats, and let’s have some fun this Halloween! When you have braces, you may be concerned about how you’re going to handle this special holiday. After all, this is the time to don a costume, trick-or-treat around the neighborhood and have a chance to indulge in some yummy treats. But will your braces get in the way of all this fun? Not if you’re careful with what you eat and remember your responsibilities.
This Halloween, if you’re sporting braces with your costume, just remember that with a little planning, you’re sure to have a blast.
The Right Treats
Who doesn’t love some good, old-fashioned Halloween fun? If you’re wanting to enjoy some sweet treats this Halloween, just remember to choose wisely. Stick to treats that are easy to eat and easy on your braces. Fun treats that are perfectly safe with braces include:
- Soft chocolate (no nuts) Candy bars like 3 Musketeers, Reese Cups and Hershey bars are a few!
- Apple cider
- Gelatin treats
- Pudding
- Ice cream
It’s always a good idea to go through your candy bag and remove the items you can’t eat so you’re not tempted. And always enjoy sweets in moderation, as sugar can cause problems with our teeth and gums. Don’t forget to brush and floss properly each and every day, especially after enjoying your Halloween haul.
Avoid the Tricks
No one wants to be tricked! That’s why it’s best to avoid some common Halloween candies that are more tricks than treats when you have braces. Some foods simply don’t work with braces, which means it’s best to avoid them. These foods include:
- Hard candies
- Chewy taffy
- Popcorn
- Candied or caramel apples
- Caramel
- Gummy candy
These treats are not only loaded with sugar, their crunchy, hard or chewy textures can cause problems with your braces. One wrong move and you risk damaging your brackets or wires, which can result in discomfort and an unplanned visit to your orthodontist to fix it. When in doubt, err on the side of caution with your Halloween treats.
Get Creative
Let’s not forget about your spooky costume! Having braces during Halloween means they can be the perfect accessory to your costume, so be sure to have fun and include them in your costume selection. Try to match your elastics to your costume or even opt for a Halloween-inspired color scheme of black and orange to celebrate the season.
Halloween is the time to have fun and enjoy some sweet treats, and it’s all possible when you have braces. Just be careful and always keep your orthodontist’s instructions in mind, especially if you’re looking forward to indulging in a few sweet treats. Don’t let braces hold you back from having fun and embracing the season. It’s a spooky time of the year that’s meant to be enjoyed. So go out there and have some spooky fun!
Charleston Orthodontic Specialists is ready to help you have a spooktacular Halloween with your braces! Call (843) 4-BRACES to learn more today.