When it Comes to Braces, Not all Halloween Candies are Frightful

October 1, 2022

When it Comes to Braces,

Not all Halloween Candies are Frightful

When it comes to Halloween candy and orthodontic braces, most would make the immediate assumption that the two are frightful when mixed together—but that could not be farther from the truth! In fact, as Halloween is one of the most celebrated occasions of the year—it certainly is one of our favorites here at the Smile Shoppe—there are some amazingly simple tricks braces-wearing patients can follow to enjoy those treats. So, with that in mind, let’s review a few dos and don’ts when it comes to what snacks you do not have to be frightful of.

NO TRICKS FROM THESE BRACES-LOVING HALLOWEEN TREATS

For those who love chocolate, you’ll be happy to learn that as long as you stay clear of nuts, you can eat all the chocolate you’d like, including those listed below as well as the other more popular Halloween treats included:

3 Musketeers
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Reese’s Pieces
Original M&Ms or peanut butter M&Ms
KitKats
Kisses
Hershey Bars
Cheese puffs
Cheez-It mini crackers
Soft cookies

When it comes to eating these, however, we cannot stress enough the importance of brushing your teeth after consuming these candies. While they are safe in not breaking brackets, they can still cause problems with lingering sugar that can lead to plaque and acid build-up that can cause tooth decay.

EXPECT TRICKS FROM THESE HALLOWEEN TREATS

Taffy
Candies that are chewy, such as Tootsie Rolls and Sugar Babies
Caramel candies or those that include caramel, such as Sugar Daddies and Milk Duds
Candies that include nuts, such as Snickers and M&Ms with nuts, Hershey’s with nuts
Beef Jerky
All nuts
Hard candies, such as Jolly Ranchers, Sweet Tarts and Nerds
Gum
Candy Corn
Jellybeans
Chips

The problem with the above treats is their tendency to get stuck around braces, which can cause them to loosen or pop off brackets—which is the same with hard candies, chips and nuts. So, when in doubt, simply ask yourself, Is it chewy? Can it break a wire or bracket? If you think the answer to both is ‘yes,’ it is best to avoid the treat--ultimately avoiding the trick.

On behalf of Dr. Alessandra Chacon, Dr. Ryan Reyes and the entire staff at The Smile Shoppe, we wish you an incredibly happy and safe Halloween!

Call for an Appointment Today

Even though the recommended age to begin seeing an orthodontist is by the age of 8, regardless of your child’s age, call the Smile Shoppe for a complimentary consultation today. The sooner we can assess your child’s teeth, the sooner we can get him or her on a path of beautifully aligned teeth. We can be reached at (956) 568-5525 or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SmileShoppeOrtho.

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