think about enjoying these great treats while protecting your braces and/or your orthodontic appliances. The American Association of Orthodontist offers four helpful tips for patients.
1. Avoid sticky situations with your braces and
aligners. Stay away from hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy candy and snacks. These include caramel, gummies, licorice, taffy, bubblegum (even the sugarless kind), jelly beans and soft drinks.2. Say no to hard treats - including hard-shelled peanut candies, nuts or nut-filled candies, taco chips and popcorn (especially un-popped kernels). Also, Dr. Kemp cautions everyone, whether you wear braces or not, to avoid crunching and chewing ice.
3. Brush up! Sweets can cause cavities, which means brushing and flossing are more important than ever during the Halloween season. Orthodontic patients should be especially vigilant about brushing and flossing after consuming sugary or starchy foods.
4. Spooktacular news: Not all Halloween candy is off-limits. Good alternatives include soft chocolates, peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth varieties. The American Association of Orthodontists even offers orthodontic-friendly recipes for Halloween goodies on its website at http://www.mylifemysmile.org/pressroom.
So, grab your costume this Halloween and enjoy the fall festivities.
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