St George Orthodontist offers Halloween Tips
National Orthodontic Health Month is here to shine light on the benefits of orthodontic treatment and importance of seeing an orthodontic specialist to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. It’s also a reminder that adults now account for nearly one in four patients receiving orthodontic treatment; and they’re just as likely as children and teens to run into Halloween candy temptations in October. Advances in orthodontic treatment options allow for less frequent office visits and more discreet appliances – like clear aligners or tooth-colored ceramic brackets – so that adults can fit orthodontic treatment into their lifestyle. However, to ensure they do not require any emergency orthodontic fixes, adults should obey the following rules:
Avoid sticky situations. Stay away from hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy candy and snacks. These include hard or chewy candies, caramel, licorice, taffy, bubblegum (even the sugarless kind) and jelly beans.
Careful with crunchiness. Patients want to steer away from hard-shelled peanut candies, nuts or nut-filled candies, taco chips and popcorn (especially un-popped kernels). And, whether in orthodontic treatment or not, never chew ice.
Not all Halloween candy is off-limits. Good alternatives include soft chocolates, peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth varieties. Simonsen Orthodontics even offers orthodontic-friendly recipes for Halloween on its website at www.stgeorgeorthodontics.com.
Brushing and flossing are more important than ever during the Halloween season, when teeth may receive more exposure to sweets that can cause cavities. Orthodontic patients should be especially conscientious about brushing and flossing after consuming sugary or starchy foods.
Adults who are interested in learning more about their options can visit the Simonsen Orthodontics website, www.stgeorgeorthodontics.com, for more information.
Dr. Randy Simonsen is an orthodontist in St George, UT and also has offices located in Hurricane, UT and Gallup, NM.
