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Tricks and Treats for Kids with Braces

Home » Blog » Tricks and Treats for Kids with Braces

Every October, we begin to plan our costumes, bring out our decorations, and – since we are orthodontists – brace ourselves for the complications that come along with Halloween.

Each year, we find that Halloween candies combined with braces can become a bit of a nightmare. While there are limitations with metal braces, there are also so many ways to enjoy the holiday without compromising oral healthcare.

Not only is Halloween in October, but it is also National Orthodontic Health Month! To commemorate these two important celebrations, we have created a guide for better orthodontic health during this spooky time of year.

Beware: Candies And Foods To Avoid

While most of our patients know to avoid sticky, crunchy, and chewy foods, there are some foods and candies that come around this time of year that also need to be avoided:

  • Hard candies, including jawbreakers, Nerds, Lemon Heads, etc.
  • Sticky candies, including caramels, Milk Duds, gum, etc.
  • Chewy candies, including Laffy Taffy, Starburst, Tootsie Rolls, etc.
  • Foods such as popcorn, nuts, candy apples, etc.

When in doubt, ask your orthodontist! Your friends at Craig & Streight are always willing to offer advice and help you make good decisions for your or your child’s oral health.

Sweet Surprises

While candy is a common way to celebrate this time of year, there are also plenty of alternatives to enjoy! Trick-or-treating doesn’t have to be the only option for Halloween with your kids.

Here are some ideas for enjoying the season, without the harmful effects of candy and sugar:

  • Haunted houses
  • Corn mazes
  • Hayrides
  • Trunk or treats (where you can try to be more selective about the candy your child takes)
  • Apple picking
  • Pumpkin patches and pumpkin carving
  • Collecting Fall leaves
  • Making fun Halloween costumes together

If trick-or-treating is part of your family tradition, you can still have fun! There are several candies that are still okay for kids:

  • Smooth chocolates, such as Dove, Hershey’s, Ghiradelli, etc.
  • Chocolate candies, such as Reese’s Cups, M&Ms, Three Muskateers, Peppermint Patties, etc.
  • Seasonal favorites like candy corn

We recommend going through your child’s candy and scooping up anything that might be harmful for their braces. You can replace these candies with some of the suggested candies above; also, you can always hold onto these candies and reward your child with the candy once their braces come off!

Creeping Cavities

As always, remember to encourage your child to brush and floss regularly. Sometimes, it can be difficult to keep teeth clean with braces, but it is especially important during Halloween when a higher level of sugar is consumed.

Here are a few tricks to keeping teeth clean and cavity-free during Halloween:

  • For easy flossing, ask us about a floss threader. This tool can help get around braces and between teeth for maximum cleaning.
  • Brush twice per day, both above the bracket (along the gumline) and below the bracket for best tooth care.
  • Mouthwash can be helpful, as the liquid form can get around the brackets easily. Swish mouthwash around for a quick cleaning fix and for fresh breath!

Dressing Up Your Smile

Another perk of metal braces that our patients enjoy is adding color elastic bands to brackets.

Here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate the season with our braces:

  • Black and orange for Halloween
  • Colors to match your Halloween costume
  • Colors to match your favorite football team

When your child comes in with his or her new colored bands, we can help remind your child how important it is to maintain good oral health! Regular appointments allow us to prevent any issues, while also reinforcing good habits for your child. We are here to help!

October Is For Orthodontists!

Celebrate Halloween (and, of course, Orthodontic Health Month) with Craig & Streight! We are here to answer any questions you have during this spooky, sugar-filled time of year.

With three Oklahoma City-area locations, we work with your busy schedule to find a time and place that is right for you. Contact us today to see how we can help you and your child with the care and maintenance of their metal braces.

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Hilary D.
Patient & kind staff. My kids were stoked to get t-shirts & play games while waiting.
Michelle B.
Such great staff and extremely attentive to making sure my treatment is effective. Love coming in!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Michelle! We're thrilled to hear that our staff has made a positive impact on your treatment experience. We look forward to seeing you at your next visit!
Rachel A.
We have been seeing Dr. Craig and Dr. Streight for about 18 months. They were recommended to us by several others, as well as our dentist. We have had a very positive experience. We are hopefully almost done, and our next child is starting to see them now as well. We are confident he is in good hands.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review!
Mike C.
Did us a solid job. We agreed on a price and they held up their end. No complaints.
Response from the owner:Hey Mike. Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience and that everything went smoothly. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we appreciate your support!
Vanessa Monik R.
First, I am extremely thankful and happy with the customer service here at Craig & Streight orthodontics! After going to a total of 3 different Orthos, I decided CSO was perfect for my needs. I was able to get my braces on same day and they tailored a payment schedule to my budget. Kari and Ryan listened to me and answered all my questions. Thank you everyone! A BIG Thank you to the gal that applied my braces. I look forward to this journey with CSO!
Response from the owner:Hi Vanessa. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to meet your needs and make your journey with braces a positive one. Your kind words about Kari, Ryan, and our staff mean a lot to us. We’re excited to support you every step of the way!
Alyssa C.
My kids and I had a great experience! The staff was informative, the new technology was impressive, and the pricing was very reasonable. We were in and out quickly with a same-day consultation, and they were able to start the services my son needed right away. Plus, the fun arcade games kept the kids entertained while we waited. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Hi Alyssa. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids enjoyed your visit and found our staff informative and our technology impressive. It's great to know that the quick service and entertainment options made your time with us enjoyable. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back!
Jen K.
They are always encouraging and give her such positive feedback each time my daughter scans for her invisaline. Every step of the process has been excellent
Response from the owner:Hi Jen. Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s wonderful to hear that your daughter is receiving such positive encouragement throughout her Invisalign journey. We’re dedicated to making every step a great one, and your feedback truly motivates us to keep up the good work!
Susn J.
The best Orthodontist office you’ll ever find. Everyone goes above and beyond to help! Can’t imagine going anywhere else! The kids love going!
Response from the owner:Hi Susan. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids have such a positive experience with our team. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels supported. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to continuing to provide exceptional care!
Rachel D.
We went in for a consultation after a horrible consultation with another orthodontist and let me say Dr. Craig and her staff are absolutely AMAZING!! My daughter was super hesitant after the previous encounter with the other orthodontist but the staff here at Craig and Streight are top notch! They immediately eased my daughter's mind with their kindness! Went in for a consultation walked out with braces and a great office to take care of her dental needs! Thank you!!!
Response from the owner:Hi Rachel. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that Dr. Craig and our team were able to provide such a positive and reassuring environment for your daughter. It's wonderful to know that we could help ease her concerns and support her dental journey. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to continuing to care for your family's needs!
kammy B.
Very kind very observant always asking and answering questions best dentist visit I’ve had by far
Response from the owner:Hi Kammy. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team made your visit so positive and engaging.
Jennifer M.
I’m on the Invisalign journey and 11 weeks in. The staff has been great on keeping me informed about my treatment. No matter your treatment plan - you can’t go wrong with this amazing team!
Response from the owner:Hi Jennifer. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team has been supportive and informative during your Invisalign journey. Your positive feedback motivates us to continue providing exceptional care. If you have any further thoughts or questions, feel free to reach out!
Jaycie J.
Dr.Craig did me and my sister braces many many moons ago (over 10+) and here I am now with my child getting his done by her. Her staff makes him feel comfortable and is always so professional. We love it here.
Response from the owner:Hi Jaycie. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! It’s heartwarming to see families returning for care over the years. We’re delighted to hear that Dr. Craig and the team continue to provide a comfortable and professional environment for you and your child. Your trust in us means a lot, and we look forward to creating more beautiful smiles together!
Kristi B.
I can’t say enough great things about my experience! From the moment I called to schedule, I felt welcomed and at ease. The staff is incredibly friendly, professional, and efficient — you can tell they genuinely care about their patients.

Dr. Craig took the time to explain every step of the process, answered all my questions, and made me feel totally comfortable throughout the consultation. The entire team’s attention to detail and commitment to providing top-notch care is truly impressive.

The office itself is modern, clean, and equipped with the latest technology, which made everything from x-rays to treatment planning seamless and quick. I was extremely impressed at how smooth the entire experience was.

If you're looking for an orthodontist who combines expertise, kindness, and a passion for creating beautiful smiles, look no further. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Hi Kristi. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! It’s heartening to hear that our team made you feel welcomed and comfortable from the very start. We take great pride in our commitment to patient care and are thrilled that you found our office modern and efficient. Your kind words about Dr. Craig and the staff truly inspire us to continue providing exceptional service. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to seeing you again!
A Google U.
Each visit we experienced happy, efficient staff that took care of our boy!
Response from the owner:Hi Mindy. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team made each visit enjoyable and efficient for you and your son. Your feedback inspires us to continue providing excellent care.
Michael G.
They done a good job on helping my son get his teeth straight he got them off and they look pretty good
Response from the owner:Hi Michael. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your son’s teeth look great after his treatment. We appreciate your support!

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Norman Office

706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

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1476 N Mustang Rd
Mustang, OK 73064

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12100 S Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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Norman, OK 73069

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Mustang, OK 73064
12100 S Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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