5 Tips for a Braces-Friendly Halloween

Traditional metal braces remain one of the most popular orthodontic treatments and take just 1-3 years to align your child’s teeth. Taking proper care of their teeth and braces helps kids and teens finish treatment within the projected timeframe.

During Halloween, when candy is widely available, it can make it challenging for kids and teens to stick to their braces care guidelines. 

Our team at Hendricks Dental Specialists in Brentwood, Tennessee, wants your kid to enjoy the spooky season without compromising their orthodontic treatment. 

Hard or sticky candies can damage wires on braces or cause brackets to detach from teeth. But with a few considerations, your child doesn’t have to give up Halloween candy altogether. 

Here, we share five helpful tips for a braces-friendly Halloween:

1. Choose soft candies over hard candies

Hard or crunchy Halloween treats can cause serious damage to your child’s braces, which can affect the treatment timeline. Pieces of solid candies can also get stuck between the braces and teeth, putting your child at risk of cavities and tooth decay. 

Fortunately, softer candies are safe for chewing with braces. Treats that are generally easier on braces include:

• Chocolate bars without nuts
• Peanut butter cups
• Marshmallows
• Baked goods (like cookies and cupcakes)

If your child opts for a crunchier candy, consider breaking or cutting it into small pieces. Smaller pieces are less likely to damage braces or detach them.  

2. Avoid sticky treats

Sticky candies are also usually a no-go for kids and teens with braces. Caramel, taffy, and firmer gummies can stick to the braces or pull on the wires and cause them to bend. It’s best to avoid or limit sticky candies. 

3. Eat candy in moderation

Most Halloween treats are full of sugar, and too much sugar can cause cavities and tooth decay. Braces already put your child at a higher risk for cavities because they make it harder to thoroughly clean food particles from the teeth. 

Cavities might prolong or complicate your child’s orthodontic treatment. Therefore, you should take steps to lower the risk of cavities, like eating candy in moderation or making sure your child rinses out their mouth after eating sugary treats.

4. Watch for signs of damage

As an added step to their routine around Halloween, you might take a closer look at your child’s braces after a day of enjoying Halloween treats. Be sure to let the Hendricks Dental Specialists team know if you see any signs of damage, like bent wires or loose brackets. 

5. Keep your orthodontic appointments

It’s important to stay on track with your routine orthodontic visits even around holidays like Halloween. Our team at Hendricks Dental Specialists can double-check your child’s teeth and braces for signs of damage and make adjustments as necessary. 

By keeping your appointments, you keep your child on track with their treatment timeline. 

Keep these tips handy as spooky season approaches to ensure your child has a braces-friendly Halloween. For more orthodontic tips, call Hendricks Dental Specialists or request an appointment online today.