Halloween Spooks Orthodontists Too

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Chew on this; Halloween causes more emergency visits to the orthodontist than any other day of the year according to Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling, a professor at Boston University School of Dental Medicine.

Although one reason orthodontists see emergency visits during Halloween is damage caused by stinky candies and gum, other Halloween party staples associated with the holiday -- such as bobbing for apples and pizza crusts, in particular -- can wreak Halloween havoc on braces.

But orthodontists aren't the only ones who should be scared of his time of the year; parents should also be scared because frequently a child wearing metal braces -- typically costing between $4000 and $7000 -- reports a wire is broken or a bracket is bent from Halloween candy. And guess who has to pay out of pocket to get the braces fixed? Mom and/or Dad.

Dr. Fulop-Goodling recommends that parents of children with braces be extra vigilant about their kids brushing, rinsing and flossing habits after eating any Halloween candy. She also recommends removing pieces of candy or treats that can get stuck in braces and between teeth, because if not removed, this debris can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.