San Diego Orthodontist Shares Helpful Tips for Patients with Braces This Halloween

BOO! The spookiest thing about Halloween is how your braces are going to be affected! That’s why our San Diego orthodontist is here to give you helpful tips to survive this scary time of year. We understand how difficult it is to avoid your favorite sweets and treats during your orthodontic treatment, but we’re here to protect and improve your smile for the long run. Thankfully, there ARE options available to enjoy with your braces. Check out the list below to see what you should avoid and what’s safe for your smile.

 

Avoid the Sticky Stuff!

• Bubblegum

• Taffy

• Caramels

• Jellybeans

• Licorice

• Lollipops/hard candies

• Popcorn/nuts

 

With these treats above, you’re putting your braces at risk! These sticky sweets can damage or break your brackets and wires, potentially compromising your treatment time. If something is broken, visiting our office is a must so we can keep you on track for your treatment period. It’s also important to avoid sugary and sweet drinks like sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and teas. By overconsumption of these beverages, you’re at a higher risk for decalcification on your teeth.

 

With all these candies to avoid, you’re probably wondering what you CAN enjoy during this sweet-filled holiday. Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!

 

Check These Out!

• Milk or dark chocolate (without caramel or nuts)

• Soft cookies

• Peanut butter cups

• Marshmallows

 

These options are safer than the others previously listed because they can “melt in your mouth” instead of stubbornly sticking around – pun intended! These sweets are also far easier to clean off your teeth and braces without putting your wires and brackets at risk. With a thorough brushing and flossing – especially with either a water-type floss or orthodontic floss provided by our team – your smile will feel healthy and happy after your sweets.

 

It's important to follow this Checklist for Success, provided by the American Association of Orthodontists, when it comes to taking care of your smile while you’re wearing braces:

 

• Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, every day

• Use a fluoride toothpaste with an ADA seal of approval

• Floss at least once a day to remove plaque and bacteria buildup that brushing can miss

• Rinse with a mouthwash containing fluoride – ask our team for recommendations

 

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation about orthodontic treatment, call our San Diego orthodontist at one of our two convenient locations today! We can’t wait to see your smile!