Enjoy Halloween While Celebrating National Orthodontic Health Month

National Orthodontic Health Month

Are you ready to eat all those chocolate bars, candy canes, and marshmallows? Halloween is coming up, and we know kids are anxiously waiting to get their hands on that candy. But wait, did you know that October is also National Orthodontic Health Month?

Orthodontic Specialists

As orthodontic specialists, we care about your smile and want it to be healthy and bright. So, we are dedicating this month to helping you learn more about orthodontic treatment and how to care for your teeth.

We know that it’s very difficult for children to resist chocolate, especially around the Halloween season. It becomes even more difficult when your children are wearing braces, as soft and gooey candy-like marshmallows can get stuck in their brackets. Hard candies and sticky candies are totally off-limits, they can break the brackets so children should avoid this type of candy.

As a parent, you must be concerned about your child’s oral health. Misaligned teeth can occur as teeth develop. That’s why age 7 is an ideal time to get an orthodontic evaluation with your local orthodontist, Dr. Maria Yazji. Some children have bad habits such as thumb sucking and breathing constantly through the mouth that can lead to severe orthodontic issues. Dr. Yazji can do a comprehensive evaluation and recommend an early treatment if your child needs it. Delaying an orthodontic consultation can result in extended treatment times.

So, if your child needs orthodontic treatment or your dentist recommended visiting an orthodontist for a complete evaluation for braces to give them the smile they deserve, visit Dr. Maria Yazji in Weston, downtown Brickell, or West Miami and learn about orthodontic treatment options for you or your family.

Orthodontic Treatment in Miami

Are you already wearing braces? If you’re already embarked on the journey to a smile you’ll love and you don’t want to mess with your brackets and wires, follow the tips below by Dr. Maria Yazji to protect your orthodontic appliances during this fun-filled month.

1. Don’t eat hard or sticky Halloween candies

It’s really hard to avoid fudge, gummies, taffy, caramel, pretzels, and jelly beans during the treat-filled month of Halloween. But if you want to get good results with your braces, avoid these treats while in treatment. Just try a little harder and avoid sugary candy.

2. Stay away from nuts and cashews

Some chocolates usually contain nuts and cashews. Please try not to eat such candies, chips, and popcorn. They could get stuck in your brackets or wires. Popcorn alternatives include Pirate’s Booty and rice puffs.

3. Brush and floss your teeth twice a day! 

It is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day, even if you don’t have braces, but if you’re in braces and you’ve eaten something sweet, it is best to brush your teeth right after the sweet meal. Also, brushing your teeth right after a sweet meal can save you from cavities. Brush your teeth twice a day with ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste and don’t forget to floss.

At Dr. Yazji Orthodontics we see a lot of patients after Halloween with loose and broken brackets. Broken braces or broken appliances mean your teeth are not moving as planned by your orthodontist and that your treatment may take longer than Dr. Yazji originally designed. That’s why is very important to follow your orthodontist’s instructions.

If you have a broken appliance or loose bracket, call us so that we can schedule an appointment for you with adequate time for repair. We will work to fix the problem quickly, so you can continue your orthodontic treatment and avoid painful cuts from the loose brackets.

Ready to start smiling big? Book a free smile consultation with Dr. Maria Yazji in Weston, West Miami, or Brickell.