We all love Halloween, from the parties to trick or treating with your family. But if you or a member of your family wears braces, too many pieces of candy could be a recipe for tooth decay. In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist talks about safeguarding smiles during your treatment period.
Braces, Candy, and Cavities
When we eat a lot of our Halloween (or holiday) treats, this could expose our smile to high levels of sugars. These particles could cling to the teeth or become trapped between them, or they could become trapped in your braces! As oral bacteria break them down, these elevate oral acidity and coats the teeth in plaque, a sticky material that could weaken enamel to cause cavities, not to mention bad breath, teeth stains, and the risk of gingivitis or gum disease! Which is why action is needed to enjoy your Halloween fun without putting your smile at risk.
Protecting Smiles from Home
When you bring home your candy, try to avoid the sticky or chewy ones, or hard ones, as they could become trapped in your braces or even damage your teeth. As an alternative, you could offer your kids a chance to trade these candies to you for money or a toy. Chocolate is easy to clean from the teeth and orthodontics, so milk chocolate candies are okay. Make sure your kids brush and floss carefully to work around the bracket and wires and avoid leaving particles stuck there to increase the risk of cavities. If you’re handing out candy, you could help by offering non-sugary options, like sugar-free gum, or temporary tattoos, stickers, pencils or crayons, or even party favors that are Halloween themed, like pie rings and plastic bats or skeletons.
When to See Our Team
If at any point your orthodontics become damaged, such as a loose or missing bracket or a wire that causes discomfort, please let us know right away so we can offer relief. Now is a great time to see us if you or your child has been interested in straightening their smiles, as you can use your remaining 2022 dental insurance benefits before they expire at the end of the year. If you have any questions or concerns, then contact our team today!
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT KEEP SMILES STRONG?
Our team is ready to help you and your family with your orthodontic treatment. If you have any questions about keeping smiles young and old healthy during treatment, or if you would like to schedule an appointment soon, please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Rome, Haslet, Azle, Saginaw, and all surrounding communities.
