Braces and Halloween Candy: A Quick Guide
Braces and Halloween candy is always a dilemma. But this year we have a quick guide to get you through the first of many food-focused holidays over the next five months.
Halloween is just around the corner! Yes, it’s time for fun and treats, but it’s also an important time to take care of your braces. Here’s a handy guide for kids in Moore and Shawnee, Oklahoma, on what to eat and what to avoid if you have traditional braces. We’ll also cover tips on cleaning your teeth after indulging in Halloween goodies. Finally, we’ll provide similar advice for kids wearing invisible retainers.
What to Eat and What to Avoid with Traditional Braces
Safe Treats for Braces and Halloween Candy
- Soft Chocolates: Plain chocolate bars or peanut butter cups melt in your mouth.
- Soft Cookies: Choose cookies that are soft and chewy.
- Cupcakes and Muffins: These are generally soft and easy to chew.
- Ice Cream: Enjoy ice cream without nuts or hard mix-ins.
Treats to Avoid for Braces and Halloween Candy
- Hard Candies: These can break brackets and wires.
- Sticky Candies: Caramel, taffy, and gummy bears can get stuck in your braces.
- Popcorn: Kernels can get lodged in your braces and cause damage.
- Nuts: Hard nuts can break your braces and are difficult to chew.
Why You Need to Avoid Hard and Sticky Treats
Hard and sticky treats can cause significant damage to your braces. “When you bite into a hard candy or chew on sticky caramel, the force can break brackets or bend wires,” said Dr. Ryan Fitzgerald, DDS, MS of Sky Ortho. “This not only prolongs your treatment time but also requires additional visits to the orthodontist.”
Dr. Fitzgerald also reminds us that sticky candies can get lodged in your braces, making them difficult to clean and increasing the risk of cavities.
What Can Break and What Happens if It Does?
If a bracket or wire breaks, it can lead to several issues. A broken bracket can cause your teeth to shift back to their original position, delaying your treatment. Additionally, broken wires can poke and irritate your cheeks and gums, leading to sores and potential infections.
“It’s crucial to avoid foods that can cause such damage to ensure your treatment progresses smoothly,” adds Dr. Priscilla Larson, DMD of Sky Ortho.
What About Alternative Treats Like Chips, Crackers, and Fruit?
Instead of hard and sticky candies, opt for braces-friendly treats. Soft fruits like bananas and berries are excellent choices. Chips and crackers can be enjoyed in moderation, but be cautious of hard or overly crunchy varieties. Soft snacks like yogurt, pudding, and smoothies are also excellent alternatives that won’t harm your braces.
How to Clean Your Teeth After Eating Halloween Treats
- Rinse with Water: Start by rinsing your mouth using water to remove loose particles.
- Brush Thoroughly: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush for at least two minutes.
- Floss Carefully: Use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to clean between your teeth and under the wires.
- Mouthwash: Finish with an antibacterial mouthwash to kill remaining bacteria and freshen your breath.
How Soon Should I Brush After Eating Candy?
First things first, be sure to speak to your orthodontist or dentist about how often you should brush each day with braces. And, ask him or her if you should wait 30 minutes or an hour after a meal before you brush.
Brushing your teeth after eating sweets helps remove food particles and plaque that can lead to tooth decay. If you have braces, most professionals agree that it’s best to wait at least 30 minutes after eating candy before brushing your teeth. that is because brushing immediately after consuming sugar can damage your enamel due to the acidic environment in your mouth. Instead, rinse with water right after eating candy and then brush in 30 minutes or an hour.
What Happens if We Eat Sweets and Don’t Brush?
If you eat a lot of sweets and don’t brush your teeth soon after, plaque can build up and harden into tartar. This makes it harder to clean your teeth and can lead to gum disease. For those with braces, not brushing properly can also cause staining around the brackets, leading to uneven coloring once the braces are removed. It’s essential to maintain good oral hygiene to avoid these problems.
How Proper Cleansing Will Help Prevent Staining of the Teeth with Braces
Proper brushing and flossing are crucial for preventing stains and cavities while wearing braces — and especially braces with Halloween candy. Braces create more nooks and crannies where food particles can get trapped, making it easier for plaque to form. Regular cleaning helps remove these particles and reduces the risk of staining and decay. Using fluoride toothpaste and an antibacterial mouthwash can also help protect your teeth.
What to Eat and What to Avoid with Clear Retainers
While there are no diet restrictions during treatment, invisible aligners must be removed before a meal. Proper brushing and flossing is required before you put your aligners back in following a meal or snack. For people who have a snacking habit, this deters them from grazing all day.
Just remember, you should always remove your invisible aligners before eating or drinking anything. Sugary foods can get stuck in your aligners, causing bacteria buildup, and leading to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
Safe Treats for Invisible Aligners and Halloween Candy:
- Xylitol candy: Candies made with xylitol can help prevent tooth decay and are often recommended by dentists.
- Soft chocolates: Soft chocolates and treats that melt easily are safer than hard candies or sticky sweets.
- Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate has less sugar than milk or white chocolate and can be good for your teeth.
- Sugar-free candy: Sugar-free candy can help with saliva production and clearing out bacteria and plaque.
- Candy with nuts: Nuts can reduce the risk of cavities by breaking up the stickiness of candy.
Treats to Avoid for Invisible Aligners and Halloween Candy:
- Hard Candies: These can damage your aligners.
- Sticky Candies: They can stick to your teeth and then aligners when you put them back in.
- Sugary Drinks: Limit sodas and other sugary beverages to avoid pitting around the brackets.
- Tough Meats: Avoid tough or chewy meats that get stuck in your teeth.
How to Clean Your Teeth After Eating Halloween Treats with Invisalign
- Remove Aligners: Always remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water.
- Rinse Your Mouth: After eating, rinse your mouth with water to remove food particles.
- Brush and Floss: Brush and floss your teeth before putting your aligners back in.
- Clean Your Aligners: Rinse your aligners with lukewarm water and use a soft toothbrush to clean them.
Enjoy your braces and Halloween candy responsibly and keep your smile healthy!
