October is National Orthodontic Health Month, a time when members of the American Association of Orthodontists provide the public with information about the importance of Orthodontics. This is very timely because October is one of the busiest months for orthodontists primarily because patients indulge themselves in treats that they should not be eating with braces. Hard, sticky, chewy candies can damage braces and other orthodontic appliances. This can result in patient discomfort and can even prolong treatment. Below is a list of candies to avoid:
• Caramel • Nuts • Popcorn • Taffy • Jelly beans • Hard pretzels • Licorice
Halloween should be fun for everyone including those currently in orthodontic treatment. Here is a list of treats that won’t damage braces.
• Soft, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates • Peanut butter cups • Milk shakes • Gelatin • Peeled, thinly sliced apples • Ice cream
Franklin Square Orthodontics has a special October contest to help celebrate National Orthodontic Health Month. Dr. Meharg contacted Gary Adams, a parent of two former Franklin Square Orthodontics patients, to obtain a large pumpkin for the weight guessing contest. We have a “Pacific Giant” pumpkin from his pumpkin fields in LaFayette NY. This is our second year doing this contest and we have an even bigger pumpkin than last year. Gary is well known in the pumpkin growing world for growing massive award winning pumpkins. He has been growing giant pumpkins and competing in contests for only three years and he’s getting better each year. Last year he competed in a weigh off in Canton, Ohio and his giant pumpkin weighed in at 1471 pounds! This year, he crossed seeds from two of his largest pumpkins to grow a pumpkin weighing over 1450 pounds and is still growing All of our patients are encouraged to guess the weight of the pumpkin. Whoever comes closest to guessing the actual weight will win a gift card from their choice of Target, iTunes, ect.