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 The haunting hours of Halloween can mean big trouble for trick-or-treaters who wear braces. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) reminds patients to follow special guidelines for keeping braces intact and keeping themselves safe.
October marks National Orthodontic Health Month. As part of its commitment to oral health education, the AAO is providing braces-friendly recipes and tips to patients and parents. Information for trick-or-treaters also can be found at www.braces.org.
WHAT TO AVOID AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
“If it’s sticky, chewy, hard or crunchy, it’s a food that anyone wearing braces or retainers should avoid,” says William C. Gaylord, D.D.S., M.S., orthodontist and AAO president.
The AAO urges patients to steer clear of the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:
- All hard candies
- All chewy candies
- Caramel
- Nuts
- Licorice
- Taffy
- Jelly beans
- Hard pretzels
- Bubblegum
- Popcorn (including unpopped kernels)
- Taco chips
- Ice
“By following their orthodontist’s guidelines on avoiding certain foods which tend to bend and break braces and maintaining proper oral hygiene, patients will be on track to complete orthodontic care on time and have healthy teeth and a beautiful smile,” says Dr. Gaylord.
Of course, Halloween does not have to be completely treat-less. Braces-friendly Halloween treats can help orthodontic patients enjoy the “spook-ta-cular” holiday. For example, plain chocolate candy is okay, provided the orthodontic patient remembers to brush and floss afterwards. Bobbing for apples as well as caramel apples are not recommended for orthodontic patients. However, patients can enjoy thinly sliced apples, dipped in yogurt or creamy chocolate sauce.
Orthodontists suggest looking for foods that are soft, such as soft chocolate that can melt in one’s mouth or peanut butter cups. Overall, candies that aren’t sticky, chewy, hard or crunchy are generally acceptable.
“We want patients to have fun while in orthodontic treatment,” says Dr. Gaylord. “If orthodontic patients are careful about the Halloween treats they eat, they should be able to finish treatment on time and with good results.”
WHAT TO DO IF FOOD DAMAGES A PATIENT'S BRACES:
If an orthodontic patient chews the wrong type of treat and damage occurs, it is recommended that the patient calls his/her orthodontist the next business day so that arrangements can be made to correct the problem.
“Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone. Often, one can be made more comfortable by applying orthodontic wax until the patient can come into the office,” says Dr. Gaylord. Some problem-solving tips can also be found on the AAO Web site at www.braces.org/knowmore/breaks/.
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS:
In addition to orthodontic safety, AAO members advise parents and children to follow trick-or-treating safety guidelines:
- Young children should always be accompanied by an adult
- Carry a flashlight
- Wear a light-colored or reflective costume
- Choose face paint over masks for young ghosts and goblins
- Have an adult inspect all treats before the children dig in
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT IS NECESSARY?
Be aware of early signs or habits that may indicate the need for an examination by an orthodontist. These signs or habits may include:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Thumb sucking
- Finger sucking
- Crowding, misplaced or blocked out teeth
- Jaws that shift or make sounds
- Biting the cheek
- Lower front teeth biting into the roof of the mouth
- Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
- Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
- A crossbite (one jaw does not fit properly with the opposing jaw due to differences in size)
WHO IS AN ORTHODONTIST?
An orthodontist specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth.
STRAIGHT FACTS ABOUT BRACES:
- About 95 percent of all educationally eligible orthodontic specialists are members of the AAO.
- Members of the AAO currently treat more than 5 million patients in the U.S. and Canada. This number is more than double the number of patients treated in 1982.
- More than 4 million orthodontic patients through age 17 in the United States and Canada are being treated by AAO members.
- Orthodontic treatment is a growing trend. Since 1982 (the first year the AAO tracked the number of patients), the number of patients who seek orthodontic treatment has increased by 115 percent.
- While healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age, the majority of patients begin treatment between the ages of 9 and 14.
- The length of treatment time varies from person to person, based upon each person’s unique circumstances. However, most orthodontic treatment lasts from 12 to 36 months, with 24 months being the average.
- There are about 9,600 practicing orthodontists in the United States and Canada who are members of the AAO.
- The AAO has 15,000 members in the U.S., Canada and abroad.
ABOUT THE AAO:
The AAO comprises 15,500 members in the United States, Canada and abroad. Founded in 1900, the AAO supports research and education leading to quality patient care and promotes increased public awareness of the need for and benefits of orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists are uniquely qualified to correct improperly aligned teeth and jaws. They are specialists in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Orthodontists receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth.
For more information about orthodontics or for the names of orthodontists in your area, visit www.braces.org. Your dentist also can provide recommendations on orthodontists near you.
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