National Orthodontic Health Month

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.

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 patients can fit orthodontic treatment into their lifestyle. However, to ensure they do not require any emergency orthodontic fixes, patients 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).
• Not all Halloween candy is off-limits.  Good alternatives include soft chocolates, peanut butter cups or other melt-in-your-mouth varieties.
• 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.

Treat yourself to a healthy smile this Halloween and all year round.