Halloween is right around the corner, and your Fort Worth orthodontist Dr. Cabal wants all his patients to be able to participate in the traditional festivities of trick or treating this October 31st. Today’s blog discusses some tips on candies that are best for braces and those that are not. Dr. Cabal concludes with some helpful tips on how to keep those braces clean this Halloween.
Beware of Hard Candy and Sticky Candies
Dr. Cabal encourages his patients with braces to avoid ingredients such as caramel or crunchy nuts. Instead, opt for plain chocolate candy bars without nuts or caramel in them, nut-free M&M’s, or Reese’s peanut butter cups. Try to refrain from the following: taffy or any chewy candy, caramel and caramel apples, bubblegum, popcorn, jelly beans, candy corns, and licorice. These candies can harm retainers and braces and be difficult to remove. If food becomes trapped in braces, teeth can stain, cavities may develop, and gums may become inflamed and painful.
Tips for Cleaning Braces of Halloween Treats
To make the most out of your brushing and protect your teeth, Dr. Cabal recommends brushing your teeth after every meal if you wear braces. Prior to brushing, rinse your mouth with water to remove food particles. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and start with the bottom teeth. Softly move your toothbrush both up and down and side to side to clean a small area of teeth. Then turn your bristles down to brush the tops of the braces. Then turn your toothbrush so that it now points upward and clean the bottom of your braces. Duplicate these steps on the upper teeth. Continue by cleaning the backs of your teeth as well as their chewing surfaces. Conclude your brushing by biting down and brushing two to three teeth at a time in circles. Brushing in circles helps your toothbrush clean the gumline as well as the braces.
About Your Fort Worth Orthodontist
Lake Country Orthodontics provides superb, customized orthodontic care in a calming office. He treats patients of all ages, from young children to adults. Dr. Cabal’s services include Invisalign, tooth-colored braces, and interceptive orthodontics for children. Dr. Ciro Cabal proudly treats patients from Lake Worth, Lake Country, Lakeland, Highlands, Saginaw, and the surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment at our Ft. Worth orthodontist office, call Dr. Cabal’s office at (817) 236-7846.
