Halloween is a favorite holiday for kids, in great part because there are so many decadent, sugary treats free for the taking. And with Mom's approval!

But what if your child is among the four million kids in the United States and Canada who wear braces or a retainer? That's really scary when it comes to tricks and treats.

Along with strict directions to brush and floss well and often, orthodontic patients are warned against sticky, crunchy or chewy foods that could harm their delicate (and expensive) hardware.

They're also told to avoid excessively hard snacks such as lollipops, nuts and hard pretzels. In a nutshell, forget most everything that gets brought to school Halloween parties or is tossed in trick-or-treat bags.

"You're not allowed to eat Tootsie Rolls, and I love Toostie Rolls," laments 9-year-old Gabrielle Gevaudan of Ben Avon, who got braces about a year ago.

"Or Now and Laters," adds neighbor Madi Ifft, 13, who is similarly wired, referring to a popular taffy-like candy. "So you end up with chips or soft chocolate like Reese's." All the good stuff, she adds, like candied apples or gum and caramel, goes to little sister, Kemmer, or baby brother, Alex.

Orthodontists, though, stand firm. Even if it means being labeled a big ol' meanie.

"They could bend the wires or damage the bracket," explains John Buzzatto, a board-certified orthodontist in Hampton. Which is no small thing, considering a set of braces can run as much as $6,000.

That doesn't mean that kids with braces have to opt out of Halloween celebrations. Parents just have to get a little more creative with the treats they prepare for a party. Instead of caramel or candied apples, for instance, why not thinly sliced apples served with a creamy chocolate dip or flavored yogurt? Rather than popcorn balls or brownies with nuts, how about creamy edible eyeballs made with peanut butter, confectioners' sugar and melted chocolate?

Similarly, why not rethink how you make those much-beloved Rice Krispies treats. It's just as easy to bind the crisped rice cereal with melted chocolate as with marshmallows. Actually, it's easier because it's not as sticky.

And what little kid (or adult) doesn't love Jello Jigglers, especially when they're cut into the shapes of the season: pumpkins, bats and ghosts. Even those who don't have braces will gobble them up.

Just remember to brush afterward, or your smile could end up resembling that crooked, toothy grin on the Jack-o-Lantern.