HAPPY HALLOWEEN

ORTHODONTIC SPECIALISTS OF FLORIDA WISHES YOU A SAFE HALLOWEEN!

Afraid of the Dark:

A Halloween Poem by Miss MerFaery 2010

A Halloween Rhyme.... Eeepity, creepity, oh what a fright! 

Hiding from things that go BUMP in the night. 

Eeekity, squeakity, oh such a lark! 

I wish I wasn't afraid of the dark. 

Jack O'Lantern, trick or treat. 

Scary costumes out on the street. 

Ghosts and ghoulies in the air. 

Stay inside, beware, beware! 

Eeepity, creepity, oh what a scare! 

Constantly wondering "who goes there?" 

Eeekity, squeakity, turn on the light. 

I don't like the dark on Halloween night!

Pumpkin Poptarts

Ingredients: 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 package refrigerated pie crust

Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoon milk, 1 tablespoon light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions: In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, sugar, and egg. Unroll pie crusts, cut the edges off to make a large square, then cut the pie crust into three equal rectangles (about 2″ x 3″). Spoon a small amount of pumpkin mixture into the center of one of the rectangles, taking care to not let the filling ooze near the edges. Use a small paring knife to carve jack-o-lantern faces into a second rectangle. Gently lay the carved piece over the pumpkin filling, then press the edges firmly together with a fork. Transfer to a cookie sheet and bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or just until the edges of the poptart begin to turn golden brown.

In a large bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla. Drizzle glaze over hot pumpkin poptarts. Allow to cool on a cooling rack before serving.

Bracket Friendly Halloween Candies

During the Halloween season, the most frequently asked question of people in braces is, “What candy am I allowed to eat at Halloween?” To avoid breaking the braces, steer clear of the following treats, or recipes  with these ingredients, as they could lengthen treatment time: Hard candies, Chewy candies, Caramel, Nuts, Licorice, Taffy, Jelly beans, Hard pretzels, Bubblegum and Popcorn.

For alternatives, look for foods that are softer, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups.  Candies that are not sticky, chewy, hard, or crunchy are generally OK. Of course, as usual, it is vital to keep your teeth, gums, and braces clean in order to maintain good oral hygiene. Remember to floss and brush after any Halloween treats!

Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Softies

Nothing says October like PUMPKIN....and chocolate! 

Here is a braces-friendly treat that will bring the fragrance of Fall into your kitchen with nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger by combining the moisture of PUMPKIN and the fun of CHOCOLATE chips!

Don't forget to share with your family & friends!

Recipe courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO, and “The Braces Cookbook” by Pamela Waterman.

October is National Orthodontic Health Month

October is National Orthodontic Health Month. October also winds up with Halloween, one of our favorite holidays. Kids with braces need to be careful when they bite into treats. Eating these “off limits” foods will break your braces and lengthen treatment time. Bobbing for apples is not recommended for braces. Orthodontic patients can enjoy thinly sliced apples, dipped in yogurt or creamy chocolate sauce.  Of course, Halloween does not have to be completely treat-less. Plain chocolate candy is OK, provided you remember to brush and floss after wards.

Check back all month long for tips and recipes to celebrate National Orthodontic Health Month with Orthodontic Specialists of Florida!