Halloween Safety Plans from Columbia Orthodontics

Fall can be a really enjoyable time of the year for you and your family. The kids are back in school, the leaves are changing, and Halloween approaches. This holiday is a lot of fun for kids, but Columbia Orthodontics wants to remind you it can also be risky, especially for your child’s braces. If you have kids with braces, take a look at the following tips from the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) on how to keep your kids and their teeth safe this Halloween season.

Important Safety Tips

Trick-or-treating is a favorite Halloween activity for kids everywhere. While it is a great holiday tradition for children, it comes with some potential risks. To keep your kids safe while trick-or-treating, try following these simple guidelines:

• Young children should be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• Carry flashlights.
• Add light-colored or reflective elements to costumes
• Avoid costumes that include a mask.
• Tell your kids not to eat any of their candy until they arrive home. Be sure to inspect all treats carefully before letting them dig in.

If your child has braces, these are Halloween treats to avoid:

• Hard candies
• Chewy candies
• Nuts
• Caramel
• Licorice
• Jelly beans
• Taffy
• Bubblegum
• Hard pretzels
• Popcorn

Some of these treats may seem harmless, but all of them have the potential to bend or break your child’s braces. So it’s best to avoid eating them altogether.

Of course, there are some braces-friendly Halloween Treats. They include the following:

• Soft chocolate
• Peanut butter cups
• Gelatin treats
• Ice cream
• Smoothies
• Root beer floats
• Apple cider

If you have any concerns about your child and his or her braces, contact Dr. Croft at Columbia Orthodontics. We are here to help at any time.

Just contact us today or call us at 360-883-3800. Click here to meet our friendly staff and click here to meet Dr. Croft.