Braces-Friendly Halloween Treats

In this blog, we’ll talk about braces-friendly Halloween treats.

We love Halloween, and even though this year it looks a little different, we can still have a great time! The CDC offers suggestions on how to celebrate safely. For most of us, we’ll be enjoying Halloween candy, even if you wear braces.

As always, it’s a good idea to limit the consumption of sweets. However, a treat is a welcome reward. Just be sure to rinse, brush, and floss after snacks and meals.

Now, let’s look at some braces-friendly Halloween treats! By sticking to safer foods, you can avoid a Halloween fright. Often, sticky candies can lead to a loose wire or bracket. So, to avoid the inconvenience and hassle, enjoy softer desserts instead.

Halloween Items that Are More Trick than Treat

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends avoiding any treats that are:

• Chewy
• Crunchy
• Sticky
• Hard

Before you eat, ask yourself, “Will this stick to my braces and be hard to clean?” If you suspect it might, then it’s wise to choose something else to enjoy.

Treats that Stain All Year

All year, those with braces or aligners need to be mindful of foods that can stain their appliances and teeth. For example, coffee, tea, red wine, and some sodas can stain your braces. So, rinsing your mouth well after drinking them is a good idea.

Other foods that stain include beets, berries, tomatoes, soy sauce, Balsamic vinegar, mustard, currants, food colorings. If you consume these staining foods, it’s extra important to rinse, brush, and floss afterward.

See more about staining foods and bad habits in our blog.

Braces-Friendly Halloween Treats

Here, we have listed some Halloween treats that are softer. You’ll notice, they don’t contain nuts or toppings. Therefore, they won’t get stuck and lead to sticky situations!

• Kit-Kats
• Pixie Stix 
• Malt Balls 
• Soft cake 
• Apple cider
• 3 Muskateers
• Jell-O and pudding
• Ice cream and yogurt
• Doughnuts and soft cookies
• Peeled thinly-chopped apples
• Soft cheese puffs (never popcorn)
• Milkshakes and Smoothies, Floats
• Peanut butter cups and Reese’s Pieces
• Soft cookies and cupcakes without nuts
• Soft peppermint patties and Junior Mints
• Smooth pure chocolate that melts in the mouth (Kisses, Hershey bars without nuts)

As you can see, you have plenty of delicious choices, even while you wear braces. So, enjoy a treat on Halloween. Just be sure to carefully care for your teeth and braces after you enjoy them.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 🦷Orthodontic Excellence (@orthodontic.excellence) on Sep 3, 2020 at 11:02am PDT

Ghoulish Halloween Treats Better Avoided

Below, we’ll look at some popular Halloween treats that are known to get stuck in braces. Note: This isn’t a comprehensive list, so be sure to ask yourself if the treat falls into the Chewy, Crunchy, Sticky, or Hard categories. If so, choose something else.

• Candy corns
• Tootsie Rolls
• Chewing gum
• Candied apples
• Caramel and taffy
• Skittles and Starbursts
• Lollipops and hard candies
• Popcorn, chips, hard pretzels
• Licorice, gummies, and jelly beans
• Jawbreakers (always a bad idea)
• Nuts (aside from soft, smooth peanut butter)

 

Do you love one of the items on this list? If so, don’t worry because you can enjoy them again when you’re braces come off. By avoiding them for now, you can make sure treatment is faster and more comfortable!

See more in our recent blog, Foods to Eat with Braces.

For more answers about orthodontic treatment, please check out our FAQ.

Orthodontic Excellence provides the best care for the communities near:

• Tacoma WA
• Summit WA
• Puyallup WA
• North Puyallup WA

Contact us today for a free initial consultation   Today, we’re taking extra steps to make sure everyone is safe.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 🦷Orthodontic Excellence (@orthodontic.excellence) on Sep 18, 2020 at 1:02pm PDT