La Habra/Chinos Hills, CA – It’s almost Halloween and that means costumes, decorations, and treats galore. But if you’re in braces you may be wondering what treats you can enjoy without jeopardizing your orthodontic treatment.

“This is the time of year where most orthodontists will tell you to stay away from all the candy and treats that come your way,” says Dr. Gire. “While we all agree too much candy can be bad for your smile and the wrong candies can damage your braces, we want our patients to enjoy Halloween just as much as their friends who aren’t in orthodontic treatment. We just ask that you pay a bit more attention to what you can have and what you should avoid.”

For the most part, chocolate is perfectly fine for patients in braces. Examples would include Hershey’s Bars or even Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. But pay attention to the other items in chocolate bars such as nuts and sticky caramels that can damage your braces. Fun sized candy bars that are often given out on Halloween should be fine to eat with braces as long as they aren’t too hard or crunchy.

Caramel apples are a fun Halloween treat but biting into an apple with braces can be damaging. They can pull off brackets and damage wires. Those caramel apples are fine if you cut them into small slices or pieces first.

Hard candies can be harmful for braces if your child bites down on them. If you think your child can safely suck on the candy until it is gone hard candies may be enjoyed. Be sure to brush or at the very least rinse after.

Tootsie rolls, Starbursts, Gummi Bears, and other sticky candies should be avoided. They can pull brackets off and damage the wires. During this time of the year those treats are EVERYWHERE so you’ll have to do your absolute best to resist.

Popcorn is a big no-no while in braces so be sure to avoid popcorn balls or popping open a bag of popcorn to enjoy with their favorite scary movie. While popcorn looks light and fluffy, the hard pieces can damage braces and it can be a nightmare to remove those pieces from between your teeth while wearing braces. If you’re yearning for something “crunchy” during those times, grab a bag of Lay’s potato chips. You’ll get the crunch you’re looking for and with flavors such as BBQ, Salt and Vinegar, Sour Cream and Onion, and Thai Sweet Chili you can’t go wrong!

“If you know the things you can enjoy and what you should say no to, Halloween can be as festive as any other year,” says Dr. Gire. “We want all of our patients to enjoy their holidays but we encourage them to make a few simple accommodations to ensure their orthodontic treatment stays on track.”