Even though you’re wearing braces, you can still have a good time during Halloween. While you should try to practice moderation with how much sugar you consume with or without braces, you still want to be mindful of how to make good choices about the types of candy that put your braces and your healthy smile at risk.
Your Greeley orthodontist, Dr. Richter has some tips for you!
You Can Wear Braces & Still Enjoy Halloween Candy
So how do you know which kind of candy is okay and which to avoid if you’re wearing braces?
You can always give us a call any time you have questions about your orthodontic care, but here are a few tips for sorting through your Halloween candy and making a smart choice:
Candy Tricks
Candy apples, gummy bears, licorice, taffy, caramel, and marshmallows are just a few of the gooey substances you’ll find in your candy bowl. They’re sticky and hard to keep out of your brackets and wires, as well as between your teeth.
If you can, it’s best to avoid those types of candies.
You should also stay away from hard candy like suckers and treats like popcorn balls. Anything that can cause damage to your braces or your tooth enamel by biting down on it the wrong way can easily cause trouble. Worse, you could find yourself dealing with an orthodontic emergency at the worst possible time.
Candy Treats
Whether you’re wearing braces or not, chocolate is most often a pretty safe choice when you want to indulge your sweet tooth. Chocolate candy bars that don’t have caramel, marshmallow, or nuts and other hard, gooey substances will satisfy a craving without putting your teeth or braces at unnecessary risk for damage.
Plain chocolate is also easier to wash away from your teeth, brackets, and wires.
Another helpful tip is to rinse your mouth out with water since it’s not exactly practical to keep running to the bathroom to brush your teeth any time you pop a piece of candy. This will help your mouth stay cleaner through the day so sugar particles don’t attract harmful bacteria.
Finally, eat a healthy meal, and reserve candy and other sweets as an after-dinner treat. It will make it easier to practice moderation with sugar consumption in general, which is always good for your smile.
Call Us For Your Next Appointment
No matter what, navigating the tricky business of Halloween candy when you have braces on your teeth isn’t something you have to do alone.
Your friends at Richter Orthodontics are here for you every step of the way during your treatment, and that includes being here when you need us for orthodontic emergencies or have questions about how to care for your braces.
To schedule your next appointment in Greeley, CO, call Richter Orthodontics today at 970-500-5928 or contact us online.
