The spooky season is here! If you haven’t decided what to dress up as for Halloween and have braces, why not use your orthodontic appliance as a launching point? You’ll find many ideas from shows and movies that feature cool, braces-wearing characters.
Below are 5 ideas for Halloween costumes with braces from us at VanderWall Orthodontics. Whether animated Disney characters with braces or live-action TV characters with braces, we hope this list inspires your Halloween alter-ego.
1. Lisa Simpson
Lisa wears braces? Well, for at least two episodes she does. So we consider her a great example of a cartoon character with braces that you can easily dress up as for Halloween.
In a 1993 episode of the Simpsons called “Last Exit to Springfield,” Homer’s dental plan — through a snafu with his union — won’t cover the invisible braces Lisa wants when she finds out she needs braces. So instead, Lisa is fitted with the more budget-friendly traditional metal braces (plus headgear!). It was the 90s, so her braces are pretty obvious. Braces were bulkier back then, unlike the modern, sleek braces orthodontists like Dr. VanderWall offer today.
By the end of the episode, the union misunderstanding is resolved, and Lisa gets the invisible braces she wanted in the first place. And since she’s wearing invisible braces — a predecessor of the InBrace lingual braces at VanderWall Orthodontics — who knows how long Lisa was a character with braces since we couldn’t see them?
A second, newer episode of “The Simpsons” sees Lisa again as a cartoon character with braces. In 2020’s, “Hail to the Teeth,” Lisa gets braces to give her the confidence to “smile more.” The top half of her braces cause her to smile all the time, which wins her popularity at school. But when she gets her bottom braces, they cause her to frown permanently, losing her a chance at school president.
2. Mabel Pines
Mabel is an excellent option as a cartoon character with braces. First, because she has braces, and second, because of the spooky premise of her show, “Gravity Falls.” Popular in its time of 2012-2016, the Disney cartoon centered around tween twins Dipper and Mabel Pines. They spend a summer with their weird uncle in fictitious Gravity Falls, Oregon. Mabel is plucky, brave, and smart and key part of a rag-tag group looking to solve various mysteries around town.
As a 12-year-old, Mabel is at a typical age for wearing braces though at VanderWall Orthodontics, we also have many adult braces patients looking to transform their smile, too. So whether you’re 13 or 30, dressing up as Mabel for your Halloween costume when you have braces is a fun way to let your braces shine.
3. Chester McBadbot
Which character wears braces on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon, “The Fairly OddParents!”? Chester McBadbot, a friend of main character, Timmy Turner. In this animated series from 2001-2017, Chester was often found hanging out with Timmy. The extra fun thing about opting to dress as Chester for Halloween is that his braces were super high-tech. And not just LightForce braces high tech, but gadget-y. Chester had mechanical elements in his braces that would telescope or pop out — sometimes appearing larger than his own head!
As your South Carolina orthodontist, though, we don’t recommend attaching things to your braces, even though Chester does!
4. Luan Loud
Of the 11 siblings in the Loud family, the character of Luan is the only one with braces. Her love of stand-up comedy sets her apart, and her braces definitely don’t hold her back or dim her confidence. Putting together a Luan Halloween costume and including your braces is easy.
Here’s what you need to look like teen Luan:
- Yellow scrunchy in a high ponytail
- White tank top
- Flower pin (bonus if it’s a working gag flower that squirts water)
- Yellow skirt
- Yellow knee-high socks
- Brown shoes with pink flowers
- Braces, of course!
If you really want to study Luan’s look as an animated character with braces, there are plenty of episodes of “The Loud Family.” The series has aired six seasons and is in renewal for a seventh. Plus, Netflix has a feature-length Loud family animated movie. You can also get real-life Luan inspiration for your Halloween costume in the live-action TV movie.
5. Ugly Betty
It’s safe to say that one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of the character Betty Suarez is her braces. “Ugly Betty” is an adult character with braces from a mid-aughts TV show who wore them loud and proud — and they were integral to her one-of-a-kind look.
To perfect the Ugly Betty Halloween costume and complement your braces, add clashing patterns and colors in your outfit but in a prim and proper style. An ensemble with a brightly-hued cardigan, patterned blouse buttoned to the neck, and a pleated skirt will make you instantly recognizable as Betty. Long hair with bangs and red-framed glasses complete the clashy-chic feel.
After four years of the series, Betty finally got her braces off in 2010. But don’t be alarmed; in real life, four years of wearing braces is not typical. We’ve found that the average braces treatment length is about 22 months, although it can vary from six months to 36 months. Keep in mind that how long you wear braces depends on a few factors, like the severity of your orthodontic issues or which type of braces you choose.
Making Braces Treatment Fun With VanderWall Orthodontics
Highlighting your orthodontic appliance at Halloween by dressing up as a character with braces makes having braces more fun. And at VanderWall Orthodontics, we want you to enjoy your braces treatment every step of the way.
If you don’t have braces but are ready for a smile transformation that’s still uniquely you, make an appointment with your Raleigh, Durham, and Cary orthodontist today.
