Halloween is coming! We thought we’d start off with some fun Halloween trivia.
Where did Jack O’ Lanterns come from?
The practice of decorating Jack O’ Lanterns dates back to the 1800s in Ireland. The people there have a fable about a stingy man named Jack who cheated the devil twice. When he died, he was not allowed in heaven because of his trickery. But neither would the devil allow him into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with it ever since. We mimic this in the United States by carving out pumpkins. You can read the full myth about “Stingy Jack” at History.Com.
The Center for Disease Control has published its safety precautions along with suggested low-risk activities. Whether kids will be trick-or-treating or not in your neighborhood, there can still be lots of Halloween fun. Kids can still dress up in their costumes. And, there are other ways they can have their “trick-or-treat” fun such as having a treasure hunt around the house. And, if you need some ideas of activities for the kids, see what they suggest at Halloween2020.org.
Which Candies Are Okay for Braces?
There are so many candies for Halloween it can be hard to know which ones you can eat and which ones you should avoid when you have braces. Hard and sticky candies and food can cause stress to your teeth. Also, there is a good chance your bracket or band attachment can break or pop-off. So we are providing a list of some of the candies to avoid and candies and food that you can enjoy while wearing braces.
Candies and Food to Avoid
- Hard candies such as Jolly Ranchers, Brach’s hard candies, Life Savers.
- Chewy candies such as Starburst, Swedish Fish, Skittles, Brach’s chewy candies
- Caramels
- Licorice
- Jelly beans
- Taffy
- Bubblegum
- Hard pretzels
- Popcorn
- Popcorn balls
Candies and Food You Can Enjoy
- Soft chocolate such as Hershey kisses or Hershey bars
- Peanut butter cups
- Candy Corn
- Cotton Candy
- Cup Cakes
- Cookies (without nuts)
- Donuts
- Pie
- Gelatin treats
- Ice cream
- Smoothies
- Root beer floats
- Apple cider
Tips for Parents
- Some parents let their kids trade their candy for money or a toy. This way they don’t feel left out of the fun. For example, you can help your child pick out all the candies they can eat. Then, work out a fair money exchange for the ones they can’t eat or take them shopping for a toy.
- Make your own treats to have around your house so there are plenty of things available for your child with braces to eat.
- Let your kids have their Halloween fun but don’t forget to have them brush after they eat their treats!
The staff here at McDonough Orthodontics wishes you a happy Halloween!