Your children’s costumes are hung up and ready to go, you have a strategic trick-or-treat route all planned out, and a bowl of sweets for other neighborhood children who may stop by your own home.
In short, you’re completely prepared, right? Well, that depends.
Does your child have braces? If so, your fang-tastic Halloween plans are going to need to incorporate some sweet alternatives this year. But don’t worry, there will be no boo-hoos to be heard when you pick up some of our recommendations:
Trick, Treat, Chocolate
While crunchy candies, caramels, and chewy chocolate treats may be in the candy graveyard this year, that doesn’t mean a little fudge can’t be in your child’s future.
Soft chocolates, specifically, are delectable treats that won’t worry you with another potential trip for a broken bracket. We suggest spellbinding goods like Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, or even ice creams with fudge swirls or small (but soft) cookie bits.
Otherwise, steer clear of common treats like Peanut M&M’s, Almond Joys, Snickers, and other nutty candies that offer too much crunch for comfort.
A Cauldron For Dipping
Just because you can’t bite into raw, whole apples or other such healthy treats doesn’t mean you can’t put a sweet spin on bite-sized bits.
Try slicing apples into smaller pieces and dipping them into melted caramel as an easy alternative to traditional caramel apples. Fruits dipped in melted chocolate, like strawberries, also offer the ideal blend of soft, healthy, and hauntingly good flavor.
Unfortunately, popcorn, hard candies, licorice, and full-size caramel pieces will need to stay off of your monstrous menu for the holiday.
A Recipe For Success
If you’d like to go a step further and make traditional candy bars more a ghost of the past than a ghoul of the present, baked goods offer a variety of soft alternatives to traditional sweets — many of which may also feature less sugar.
From moist chocolate cakes with gummy worms to delightfully fresh pumpkin cookies, there will never be a shortage of recipes to turn to that everyone can enjoy, regardless of whether or not they bear brackets and wires.
And, of course, if any other questions begin to bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble you, don’t worry — all you have to do is reach out to the team here at Setzer, Cochran, Soares, and Hubbard Pediatric Dentistry!
From hygiene habits to orthodontic care and more, we’re ready to help your child feel at ease while in our office. To learn more, simply contact us today to schedule an appointment!