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Whether you’ve got a sweet tooth or not, there’s no denying that the Halloween season enchants everyone with its tasty treats and mouth-watering sweets. But is it safe to indulge in such treats while going through a metal braces treatment? Well, the answer may surprise you.
To learn more about how to enjoy your favorite treats this holiday season, keep on reading and end your Halloween with a bang!
Braces-Friendly Treats
No treat or chocolate is going to have “braces-friendly” written on them. So how to actually figure out which sweets can be eaten when wearing braces? Whether you’re new to wearing braces or have been involved in the treatment for a while, going for treats that are easier on your dental appliances is surely the way to go.
When looking for braces-friendly treats, your focus should be on softer and less harsh edibles that can be easily cleaned from your braces and won’t get stuck (more on this later). Here are some treats that need to be on your to-eat list this season!
- Soft chocolates
- Frozen treats (ice cream, yogurt, popsicles)
- Jello
- Puddings
- Crackers
- Smoothies
The Halloween “Dont’s”
Now coming to the things you should probably avoid during Halloween when wearing braces. A common trend that you’ll notice in the list below is that all of the mentioned treats will have the potential to not only damage your braces but also get stuck as well. The latter may not sound that bad at first, but when looking at the broader picture, sticky treats will give you a hard time since maintaining dental hygiene while wearing braces isn’t the easiest thing to do. Who knew teeth straightening required so much sacrifice?
To keep your teeth straightening journey as effective as possible, here are some treats you should avoid when wearing braces.
- Hard candies
- Sticky candies
- Chewy candies
- Frozen treats with hard-ins
While both of the lists mentioned above may be missing some of your favorite treats, their purpose is to give a clear idea of how your braces will react to the said treat and why either indulging or avoiding them is the way to go.
Things to Consider During Halloween
If you “accidentally” ate a treat that wasn’t a good choice for your braces or are looking for ways to ensure your dental hygiene remains top-notch during this sweet and spooky season, then here are some things you can include in your to-do list starting right now.
Dental Travel Bag
Wishing that your dentist was right beside you as you take a bite of your favorite sweet while wearing braces to mitigate the damage as quickly as possible is something all braces wearers have thought about at some point.
To get almost the same dental care, you should keep a dental travel bag alongside you that helps maintain your braces without letting them get damaged by the sweets too much. A standard dental travel bag includes:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Dental Floss
- A pocket-sized mirror
These dental travel bags can be store-bought or made at home. While the store-bought ones provide ease of accessibility without having to do a lot of work, DIY dental travel bags offer more customization according to your needs and requirements.
A Post-Halloween Dental Checkup
Before Halloween even starts, it is better to make an early appointment with your dentist as soon as the festivities come to an end. This helps you keep your braces in check on a timely basis without the risk of dental diseases.
Drink Water After Treats To Rinse Them Off
While this advice may seem a bit bland compared to some of the other countermeasures we have mentioned, drinking water after consuming treats can make a big difference. Water helps rinse off any loosely stuck food particles in the braces, therefore saving the teeth from dental problems.
Eat In Moderation
It’s easy to lose track of the amount of treats you may have consumed unknowingly during the Halloween festivities. Therefore, it's essential to keep track of what and how much you’re consuming when wearing braces. Furthermore, mixing your diet with some nutritional food items can also help balance off some of the excessive treats consumed for better dental health. Simply put, moderation is key here!
Conclusion
Cherishing those special moments with your loved ones can feel incomplete when having to avoid some of your favorite treats with braces. While the above tips can help you overcome problems your sweet tooth may cause, it’s still worth mentioning that taking care of your teeth today with braces can help you in the long run.
FAQs
Q: Is it safe to eat candies when wearing braces?
A: While eating candies with braces is relatively safe, it’s still important to take care of your dental health as such negligence can lead to further dental health problems.
Q: How to clean braces during Halloween?
A: Since your teeth and braces will have much more exposure to sweets on Halloween, properly brushing and flossing your braces can help clean your braces.
