Halloween is just around the corner, and we know that this means many of our patients are getting ready for all the fun excitement of a night spent going out with friends, dressing up as their favorite ghouls and ghosts, and going door to door hunting for treats. But while the various costumes and decorations of the night may be frightening, for us, there's one thing that's really scary about Halloween - the dangers it poses to teeth and braces. That's why for this blog, we're going to give you some simple tips for keeping your teeth and braces safe this Halloween. Candy Corn & Cavities We know there's really no easy way to say this, but sometimes the truth hurts: the only way to keep your braces safe is avoiding candy. Hard candies like lollipops or jolly ranchers can break off brackets, sticky candies like caramels can lodge under and deform archwires, and the sugar in all candy reacts with bacteria to create corrosive acids that eat away at the enamel of teeth. All of this can easily result in damage to your braces and teeth, impediments to the progress of your treatment, and expensive, time-consuming repairs. Thankfully, there are some simple things you can do to avoid damage. If you're going to be eating candy, just be sure it isn't hard or sticky - stick with softer fare like milk chocolate, and don't be afraid to cut candy into tiny pieces to satisfy a sweet tooth. Another way to minimize damage is by consuming it all at once - for teeth and braces, a lot in a short time is better than a little over a longer period. Finally, always be sure to thoroughly brush your teeth after consuming candy to minimize its damaging effects. Contact Your San Jose Orthodontist Have more questions about staying safe this Halloween or your orthodontic health in general? We're here to help. Feel free to reach out to us at our contact page or use our online form to schedule an appointment at our San Jose, CA office. We can't wait to hear from you, and we hope to see you back at this blog for more tips and info on maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile!