BOSTON, Oct 22, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A U.S. orthodontist says she and some
of her colleagues see more emergency visits at Halloween than at any other
holiday.
Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling, a professor at Boston University School of Dental
Medicine, says Halloween can be scary for mom and dad too when a child wearing
metal braces costing between $4,500 and $7,000 reports a wire is broken or a
bracket is bent from Halloween candy.
Although one reason orthodontists see emergency visits significantly increase
during Halloween is damage caused by stick-to-the-teeth candies and gum, other
party staples associated with the holiday -- such as bobbing for apples and
pizza, crusts, in particular -- can wreak Halloween havoc on braces.
Increased candy consumption during Halloween should spur brace-wearers to be
extra vigilant about brushing, rinsing and flossing, Fulop-Goodling advises.
Be sure to remove 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, Fulop-Goodling said.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International