Halloween is a super exciting time of the year where adults and children alike can dress up and have fun. It’s a night filled with sugar-loaded sweets and treats, which makes it an extra scary time for brace-wearers.
Fortunately, whether you or your child wears them, we’re here to help you avoid any brace-related frights this Halloween and recommend treats you can enjoy. But first, here’s an overview of the actual damage sugar can have on your teeth and braces.
How sugar damages your teeth and braces
Although sugar is fine in small doses, overloading on it is very bad for your teeth regardless of whether you wear braces or not. In fact, sugary foods and drinks are one of the main causes of tooth decay.
Eating too much sugar while wearing braces though can pose even more risks to your oral health. Braces create more nooks and crannies in your mouth that are often difficult to clean, making it more likely for tooth decay.
If you need to know more about protecting them, take a look at a previous blog we wrote on how to look after braces and retainers.
With that being said, here are…
4 Spooky sweets to avoid this Halloween
- Sticky toffee and caramel
- Gooey chocolate
- Chewy gum
- Hard-boiled sweets and mints
Why should you avoid these?
When you bite into chewy or hard sweets, you put extra pressure on the bands and brackets that hold your braces together. So there’s a chance they may get damaged which means an unwanted trip to your orthodontist to get them repaired.
5 brace-friendly treats
- Kit Kat Bars (break into small pieces)
- Cupcakes
- Soft-baked cookies
- Maltesers
If you need more advice on how to maintain your braces, get in touch with us at Oldham Orthodontics. Either call 0161 7680931, email info@oldhamorthodontics.co.uk or visit our contact page.
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