While parents look forward to romantic dinners, kids often celebrate Valentine’s Day with parties in homeroom. However, parents and children alike do share a love for one aspect of Valentine’s Day: candy. If you live in Denver and your child has braces, it’s important to set boundaries so sugary foods don’t undo the orthodontic treatment. Keeping foods high in sugar to a minimum is obviously an ideal way to facilitate good dental health in kids, whether they have braces or not. However, it’s important to remember that some sweets are worse for braces than others. Candies kids with braces should especially avoid include:
- Hard candy
- Lollipops
- Gum
- Taffy
- Caramels, gummies, and any other item that is sticky or chewy
Any one of these foods can cause brackets or wires in your child’s braces to break or come loose. Sugar from candy can also slip beneath parts of the appliance and cause cavities to form, especially in tight, difficult to reach areas of the mouth. If your child damages his or her braces by eating some of the candies above, it’s important to book an appointment at our Denver office as soon as possible for repairs or replacement of any loose or disconnected components. To learn more about braces and other ways to improve and straighten your child’s smile, please contact Advanced Orthodontic Care or call 303-331-0222 today to schedule your initial consultation. Dr. Robert Rudman serves clients in or around Denver and Stapleton, Colorado.
