Halloween is one of the most beloved times of the year for children and adults alike—and for good reason; besides the fun of dressing up and decorating, Halloween really functions as an excuse to eat all the delicious goodies you can stomach. However, if you're one of the thousands of people with orthodontic braces come the 31st, you may just feel a little bummed looking at all the candy that's on the do-not-eat list. That doesn't mean you can only eat the packs of raisins from your neighbor down the street, though—so if you're looking for a few ideas for treats that you can eat even with braces on your teeth, then here's what you need to know.
The Automatic "Yes"es
There are a lot of types of treats that you can eat straight out of the wrapper or box without any modification—promise. Chocolate bars, peanut butter cups, truffles, Butterfingers, melt-in-your-mouth butter mints, pre-wrapped cakes (Ho-Hos, Twinkies, Ding-Dongs, and their like), cookies, baked goods like doughnuts, pies, and pastries, cotton candy, and the perennial holiday favorite: candy corn. You don't have to worry about inspecting these treats for anything dangerous to your wires; just pop them in your mouth and enjoy without any guilt or feelings of concern.
The Sometimes Foods
While not dangerous for your braces in and of themselves, these treats can be potential problems if you eat too much of them or eat them in the wrong form. Caramel apples, for example, aren't really an option—both the sticky caramel sheets and the whole apple present problems—but eating apple slices with caramel dip is a good alternative, as is apple cider with caramel flavoring. Chewy gummy bears are one of the biggest things your orthodontist will tell you to avoid, but softer gummy candies like Swedish Fish are generally safe.
The Never Evers
These are the foods your orthodontist (like those at Smiley Kids Dental) has probably warned you about, and for good reason—breaking a bracket can be painful and delay your treatment, ultimately causing your braces to have to stay on longer. Things like jawbreakers, sticky caramels, nuts, saltwater taffy, and popcorn in any of its many forms are (sadly) strictly off-limits this holiday season. The good thing about having some treats that you just can't eat, however, is that you have automatic bargaining chips to trade for candies that you can—so use these treats to stockpile a stash of candy that won't break your brackets.
Share13 October 2016
Do you want to do everything in your power to keep your teeth beautiful and healthy? To help you accomplish this worthwhile task, consider visiting your trusted dentist twice each year. During this time, you can get your pearly whites cleaned and examined. Besides seeing your dentist semi-annually, brush your teeth at least twice each day. Make sure to floss at least once a day too. Drink a glass of water after mealtimes. Doing so helps wash away food particles on your teeth. On this blog, I hope you will discover simple, ingenious tips to help you maintain your gorgeous smile. Enjoy!