Don’t let Halloween be a nightmare for your braces-wearing adolescent

With Halloween often comes pillow cases full of sticky, gummy candy. But aside from the dental dangers sugary candy can pose for your children, it’s important to remember the special considerations needed for your kids who wear braces.

Despite the temptation to let them eat everything in sight for this special holiday, encourage your child to instead follow these tips from the American Association of Orthodontists. The association recommends that people with braces avoid eating the following Halloween foods:

• Hard candies
• Hard pretzels
• Chewy candies
• Bubblegum
• Caramel
• Popcorn (and unpopped kernels)
• Nuts
• Licorice
• Taffy
• Sticky candies, like Milk Duds
• Jelly Beans
• Crunchy foods or candies