It’s that fun time of year. The weather is changing and it’s time to get on your favorite costume for Halloween. As kids are going out trick or treating and attending parties they of course want to have fun with the candy and sweets.
Braces are bonded to the surface of teeth and can be damaged if that bond is broken. Certain candies can break brackets and bend wires. Avoid candy that’s sticky as they tend to stick to the teeth as you chew, creating tension on the braces and potentially loosening them.
With braces kids can still enjoy this time of year but there are some treats to avoid and consider.
Halloween Candy & Food Kids Can Enjoy
- Plain M&Ms
- Peanut Butter Cups
- Hershey Bars
- Kit Kat Bars
- Hershey Kisses
- Three Musketeers
- Peppermint Patties
- Ice Cream
- Smoothies
- Apple Cider
- Root Beer Floats
Halloween Candy to Avoid
- Bubblegum
- All Hard Candy
- Taffy
- Licorice
- Jelly Beans
- Candy Corns
- Popcorn
- Chewy Candy
- Caramel and Candy Apples
- Tootisie Rolls
- Starburst
- Skittles
It may be the last thing on their mind but be sure they brush their teeth right after eating candy. If you do not have access to a toothbrush, simply rinse your mouth after eating any sweets until you are able to brush.
Alternatives to Sweets
- Halloween Stickers
- Party Favors
- Cans of Play-Doh
- Decorated Pens/Pencils
- Temporary Tattoos
- Bottles of Bubbles
Looking for more candy alternatives? The American Dental Association teamed up to help teach kids of all ages about good oral hygiene. Check out www.stopzombiemouth.com for fun freebies like printable zombie masks, coloring pages, and more.
Have fun, stay safe trick or treating and we look forward to seeing you at your next appointment!