It's that bewitching time of the year again - Halloween! But amidst the jack-o'-lanterns and haunted houses, there's another fright lurking in the shadows... the terror of broken braces! But don’t worry... we’ve got you covered.

Let's dive into this blog post and discover the tricks to enjoy your treats without any orthodontic scares!

Treats that are Tricky

Candy to braces is like kryptonite to Superman. They’re harmless when apart, but put them together and disaster strikes. Like it or not, you simply can’t eat many types of candy when wearing braces, especially if they’re the hard, sticky kind.

All the work under way in your mouth can be undone with one unsuspecting piece of taffy or chewing gum. So what’s an orthodontics patient to do when a sweet tooth strikes? Be smart about your sweets!

Anyone wearing braces should avoid treats like popcorn with nuts, taffy, gummy candy, and chewy caramel. But this is no easy task! We know this because our offices get very busy right after Halloween, as we get to work on fixing many brackets and wires that fall victim to trick or treating.

We understand and like sweets, too. But braces just don’t mix with many treats. Here are the ones to avoid:

• Popcorn - Those pesky kernels have an uncanny way of wedging themselves in between your teeth and under brackets.
• Hard pretzels - We love them too, but wires and brackets… not so much.
• Hard candy – They don’t call them jaw breakers for nothing. Biting down or crunching on hard candies can be brutal on braces.
• Sticky sweets – Chewing gum, taffy, and caramel-coated candy should be avoided because they stick to the wrong stuff.
• Crunchy fruits and vegetables – While you still need your fruits and veggies while you wear braces, you need to cut them up first. Most are fine when in small pieces. Just avoid the hard and crunchy ones like raw carrots. Stick with cooking those first.

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The Sweeter Side of Halloween Candy

The good news is there are plenty of sweets that you can eat while wearing braces. Here are some helpful suggestions:

• Candy bars without nuts- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Twix, Kit Kat, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way, Crunch, Krackel, and Butterfinger are safe options.
• Soft Candy- Reeses Pieces, Junior Mints, Smarties, Peppermint Patties, etc.
• Ice cream – As long as it’s not full of crunchy nuts or bubble gum, grab a spoon and enjoy!
• Smoothies – These are oh so sweet and a great way to enjoy ice cream – yogurt, fruits, and vegetables all in one fell swoop.
• Melt-in-your-mouth mints – For those times when something soft simply won’t do, try some melt-in-your-mouth mints.
• Chocolate – Don’t get too excited now, as giant candy bars with caramel and nuts don’t qualify. Instead, try a small piece of chocolate that you can slowly savor until it melts away. Plain Chocolate like Hershey's Kisses, Nestle Treasures (without nuts), Dove chocolate, and Plain M&M’s are fine.

Clean Teeth After Every Treat

Since lots of sugar can contribute to cavities, paying extra attention to oral hygiene is a must while wearing braces. Make sure you brush and floss as soon as possible after eating any sweets. This will help remove any sugar left behind and prevent cavities from forming.

Use an antimicrobial mouthwash to add an extra layer of protection against cavities. Remember, a little extra care today can pave the way for a dazzling and healthy smile tomorrow!

3 Simple Rules to Remember with Candy and Braces

Rule #1 – Avoid hard and crunchy candy

Avoid hard and crunchy candy such as Lolli Pops, Lemon Heads, Jolly Ranchers, Nerds, popcorn, and Skittle-type candies. Candy bars with nuts (Snickers, Almond Joy, PayDay, Babe Ruth, Peanut M&M’s, etc.) and pretzels can break your brackets. If one of your brackets break, then call your orthodontist right away!

Rule #2 – Do not bite with your front teeth

Stay away from any candy that requires a good bite from your front teeth. This will help you to avoid broken brackets and allow you to complete your treatment on schedule.

Rule #3 – Avoid chewy & sticky candy

Avoid chewy and sticky foods like taffy, licorice, Starbursts, Sour Patch Kids, Skittles, Tootsie Rolls, Dots, Laffy Taffy, Milk Duds, Dots, caramels, gum, etc.

And don’t forget to brush after enjoying your treats!

Conclusion

As fun and exciting as Halloween can be, remember to prioritize your oral health. After all, Halloween is not just about costumes and candy. It’s also about the confident smiles we share with our loved ones. Remember to stay safe, enjoy responsibly, and keep that smile shining bright!

If you have any questions about Halloween candy and your TenBrook braces, don’t be afraid to reach out! And if you do run into trouble, call the nearest TenBrook Orthodontics office and make an appointment to come in. It’s best to schedule fixes quickly, before any more damage can occur.

Remember, TenBrook’s T1 and T-Clear braces are easier to clean and designed to work fast, which means a lot less time in braces. For more information about braces, call 1-877-SMILE10 and schedule a free consultation today!

Happy Halloween from the TenBrook Team!

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