Braces wearers already know all the rules about what they can and cannot eat for fear of damaging their brackets and wires. The rules for wearing braces don’t change during Halloween. In fact, it’s even more important to follow your orthodontist’s instructions at this tempting time of year. But have no fear – you can still have a Happy Halloween, even if your favorite treats are off-limits.

Chocolate, Chocolate, and More Chocolate

Do you like chocolate? Even a little bit? Then this is the Halloween treat for you. Chocolate is one of the best candies anyone can eat, whether you have braces, Invisalign, a retainer, or nothing at all. When it comes to sweets, chocolate is the kindest to teeth and orthodontic hardware.

You’ll still have to brush and floss carefully after you eat, just like normal, but chocolate will make it a little easier because it won’t get stuck in pesky places that are tough to reach when you’re trying to clean in and around brackets and wires.

Have Fun with Your Braces

You may not be able to eat all your favorite candies this Halloween, but by this time next year you may very well be braces-free and can eat with abandon (within reason, of course). In the meantime, have fun with your semi-permanent accessory and get into the Halloween spirit. Dress up as a dentist, a tooth, or a fictional character known for their braces. You’ll only have these braces once so your window for authenticity when it comes to playing a well-known character is small. Consider the following:

• Josie Geller: The movie Never Been Kissed features a teen version of Drew Barrymore’s character with a mouth full of braces and a satin pink prom gown.
• Ted: In the movie Something About Mary, viewers are introduced to the main character Ted as an awkward teen. And his braces are big and beautiful (modern braces, thank goodness, are far less noticeable).
• Disney characters: From Darla in Finding Nemo to Sid in Toy Story, from Kari the Babysitter in The Incredibles to Mike Wazowski in Monsters University, there are a host of excellent animated characters that make dressing up with braces a piece of cake.
• The options are endless: Murray in Clueless, Katy Perry in her “Last Friday Night” video, Ugly Betty, Lisa Simpson, Kip from Napoleon Dynamite, or real-life Gwen Stefani in the ‘90s who proudly rocked her metal mouth even when it wasn’t Halloween.

Embrace Your Invisalign

If you’re an Invisalign wearer, your options for indulging in true Halloween style are far broader than for a wearer of conventional metal braces. All you have to do to enjoy your favorite sweets is to pop out your trays first. It’s important to remember to brush and floss thoroughly before putting your aligners back in place – the last thing you want to do is give your teeth a sugar bath then latch the trays on top of them.

Questions about how to care for your braces during Halloween? Call our office or schedule a consultation with Dr. Roberts or Dr. de Marsche at Lawrenceville Orthodontics.