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You’ve been doing pretty good with your brace so far, but Halloween is just around the corner. This is a holiday that causes concerns for dentists and orthodontists every year.
As much as we want you to enjoy the festivities, we don’t want you to put your smile at risk by overdoing it with candy and other treats. At Orthodontic Alliances, we want you to keep making progress on your straighter smile. That’s why we are sharing a few suggestions about the kinds of candy you should avoid and what’s OK to eat (just as long as you don’t eat too much).
If you are thinking of starting orthodontic care, just let us know. Call any of our Indiana locations:
- Michigan City – 219-809-6584
- Portage – 219-841-7795
- St. John -219-440-6512
What To Avoid
As much as we would like to tell you that you can eat anything you want when you have braces, it’s important that you avoid certain things during your treatment. Halloween happens to be a time when these treats are readily available, which is why you should be careful about your choice of snack. Here are some examples of treats to avoid while you have braces, according to the American Association of Orthodontists:
- Bubble gum
- Caramel
- Chewy candies
- Hard pretzels
- Ice
- Jelly beans
- Licorice
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Taffy
This is far from a complete list, but it can give you a good idea of the types of treats that can pose particular problems for people with braces. Hard foods (like nuts and pretzels) can cause wires to bend or break. Chewy snacks can get caught in your braces. These too can pull on your wires, or you may inadvertently bend or break your wires when you try to remove chewy pieces from your braces.
Snacks That Are OK
Keep in mind that too much of any sugary treat is bad for your oral health. With that said, there are snacks that are less likely to cause a problem for your braces.
In general, you want to choose snacks that are softer or that melt easily. This makes them less likely to damage your orthodontic appliance and easier to remove. Many chocolates will melt away easier and can be rinsed from your teeth without too much trouble. Peanut butter cups can be a good option as well.
But we do want to reiterate, that it’s important to avoid eating too much of any candy. Likewise, you need to maintain a consistent oral care routine, including brushing and flossing your teeth every day. If you have questions about how to do this while you have braces, ask us.
Keep Working On Your New Smile
If you have braces, you already know this treatment takes time to work. Don’t risk setting yourself back by eating a snack to damages your brackets, wires, or both.
Anyone interested in orthodontic care should visit one of our Orthodontic Alliances locations in Indiana. Contact us online or call us at any of our locations:
- Michigan City – 219-809-6584
- Portage – 219-841-7795
- St. John -219-440-6512