Helpful Tips for Halloween

Halloween is right around the corner and costumed trick-or-treaters and their parents will soon hit the streets for a night of scary fun and candy.

But for children who wear braces, Halloween can be a challenging time because they cannot eat some of the treats that their friends without braces may enjoy.

Still, the holiday can be fun for all, even if you wear braces!

Our staff at M. Scott Runnels Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics in Destin and Panama City Beach wants to make patients and their parents aware of foods and candies associated with Halloween that can cause problems for those who wear braces.

Here are some tips from the American Association of Orthodontists about keeping your children and their teeth safe and sound during Halloween, and the days that follow, when most candy is consumed.

Safety Tips

Trick-or-treating and Halloween have thrilled kids and their families for generations. It’s a great holiday enjoyed by millions of people across the country.

But parents and guardians should keep their eyes open for potential risks – and always make safety the top priority. To keep children safe while they trick-or-treat this Halloween, follow these basic guidelines:

• Make sure young children are joined by an adult guardian when they trick or treat on Halloween
• Bring flashlights to better light your path and reduce the risk of trips and falls that can lead to serious injuries
• Costumes, even dark and scary ones, should have reflective or light-colored portions on them. This allows drivers to better see children as they trick or treat after dark
• Try not to use costumes with masks. This is especially the case for younger children. Masks reduce visibility for those who wear them.
• Don’t let your children eat candy they receive during Halloween until kids are safely home. Parents should inspect candy carefully before letting children eat their treats.

Candy and Treats To Avoid

If your child wears braces, he or she should avoid eating some candy and treats. We know. That’s no fun. But reassure children that wearing braces today will allow them to enjoy all kinds of delicious foods in the years ahead.

Many candies given out at Halloween can damage your child’s braces. Here are some treats that kids with braces should avoid at Halloween.

• Hard candy
• Chewy candy
• Nuts
• Licorice
• Caramel
• Jelly beans
• Taffy
• Gum
• Hard pretzels
• Popcorn

These foods are tasty and tempting, but they also could break, bend or damage your child’s braces. It’s better if kids with braces just avoid eating them.

The Halloween news is not all bad for those with braces!

Here are some foods that kids with braces can enjoy:

• Soft chocolates
• Peanut butter cups
• Ice cream
• Gelatin
• Smoothies
• Root beer floats or other ice cream sodas
• Apple cider

These are just a few of the alternatives for brace-wearers to enjoy during Halloween.

All of us at Runnels Orthodontics want to wish you and your family a happy and safe Halloween!

If you have any questions regarding braces during Halloween, or have any problems with your child’s braces during the holiday, don’t hesitate to contact us!