With Halloween rapidly approaching, it's time for parents to plan how to handle the influx of treats. If your child wears braces, it gets even trickier, since many treats can interfere with them.
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, so our team has some helpful tips to protect your child's smile.
Here's what parents should know.
Which Halloween Candies Should Kids With Braces Avoid?
Kids with braces should avoid sticky and chewy candies. They cling to teeth, making them hard to clean, and they can even pull brackets loose. Gum is also not great with braces for the same reasons. Kids with braces should also avoid hard candies that could knock brackets off their teeth.
Braces-Friendly Treats Your Kids Can Still Enjoy
Chocolates and soft candies are safe for kids with braces. Think peanut butter cups or wafer bars. Treats that melt in your mouth are also better when you have braces.
What to Do If a Bracket or Wire Breaks After Trick-or-Treating
As with any time of year, if your child loses or breaks a bracket or has a pokey wire, call Echeverri Dental Center. We offer braces for kids, and our team can assess your situation over the phone. Our team will determine whether your little one needs immediate attention or can wait for our next available appointment. In many cases, you can use wax to hold a bracket in place until we can see your child.
Is Your Child Ready for Braces?
At Echeverri Dental Center, we offer comprehensive orthodontic treatment for adults and kids. We recommend a first orthodontic evaluation around age seven or eight, since many kids benefit from early orthodontic intervention. If your child doesn't need early orthodontics, we'll evaluate their smile again around age 12.
Our dental practice is your one-stop for general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and Spring Branch orthodontics. You can request an evaluation for your child online or call our team to schedule an appointment.