Halloween can definitely be a scary time for anyone in braces. So much of this holiday focuses on candy and other items that can prove to be treacherous to braces and other orthodontic appliances.
The items that you have gathered in your trick or treat bucket could end up being the temporary demise of your braces or orthodontic appliances with broken brackets, wires, bending or fracturing the appliances. It may be a good idea to have a parent help you sort through your candy selection to make sure that the candy that you will be enjoying will not cause damage to your orthodontic appliances.
Thank goodness that there are options that you can enjoy this holiday without the fright of destroying your braces. Here are some tips to help you navigate through this time of year so you will not be haunted by broken brackets or other perils that may cross your path.
Below are some recommendations from Dr. Lynnette Nyberg at Nyberg Orthodontics:
Things to avoid:
- Gum, including sugarless
- Caramels & Carmel Apples
- Toffee
- Licorice or Twizzlers
- Jelly Beans
- Gummy Bears, Worms or other shapes
- Now & Later
- Starbursts
- Sugar Babies
- Tootsie Rolls
- Anything that is sticky, hard, or crunchy.
But it is not just the bad stuff that you need to be careful of eating. Also make sure that you steer clear of these items as well:
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Jerky
- Hard pretzels
- Craisins or Raisins
Now at this point it seems like you will not be able to eat anything at all, but fret not there are some things that you are going to be able to enjoy!! Here are some things that are eatable while you are in orthodontic treatment, but be cautious.
Be careful of frozen chocolate!! It can be quite hard and fracture brackets off of your teeth, or bend a wire. Never chew ice either. Beware of eating whole apple or corn on the cob, you are not restricted from eating them, just cut apples and carrots up and cut the corn off of the cob. Always think about eating large items, such as subs, pizza, bagels and things of this density. You can certainly enjoy them, but make sure that that you cut them up into bite size pieces prior to enjoying them.
So let’s give you some examples of things that you can eat this Halloween season and throughout the course of the year.
What you can eat:
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Hershey Chocolate Bars
- M&M’s without nuts
- Lollipops, but make sure that you do not bite them
- Ice Cream
- 3 Musketeers
- Hersey Kisses
- Peppermint Patties & Junior Mints
- Soft Cookies
Just remember though after eating all of this candy, it is
extremely important to thoroughly brush your teeth and floss,
taking additional care to make sure that all that sugar has
been removed from your teeth, around and in between the
brackets and wires.
OOPS, I broke it!
What do you do if something has been damaged?
Of course, always make sure that you call us at Nyberg Orthodontics so Dr. Lynnette Nyberg can assess the damage, and help you get back on track.
Here are some common problems, and how to treat some solutions at home.
- Loose band or bracket – If it is still attached to the wire, leave it in place. If it is uncomfortable, place wax on the area. If it comes out, save it and bring it into the office at your next visit.
- Loose wire – Try to place the wire back in place with tweezers. If that is not possible, clip the wire with nail clippers behind the last tooth that is securely fastened. If it is uncomfortable, place wax on the area.
- Poking wire – Try to push the wire down with a spoon or pencil eraser. If this is not possible, place wax on the area.
- Lost elastic tie – Notify us at your next scheduled appointment.
- Soreness – If your lips cheeks or gum tissue are irritated, try using warm salt water rinses. If your teeth are sore, Ibuprofen and Tylenol will help relieve the discomfort.
We hope that you have a safe and enjoyable Halloween!!
Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at Nyberg Orthodontics. Feel free to call us at 603.749.2900.
Recent Comments