Article written by Diamond Braces Clinical Staff
Article medically reviewed by Dr. Oleg Drut
Everyone, including those with braces, deserves a sweet treat. However, not all candies are safe for them. Some can damage your appliance. This damage can lead to an extra orthodontist visit or even delay your treatment.
Looking for the right Halloween treats or a reward for a job well done? A candy is for you. We’ll discuss which candies to choose and which to avoid with them.
Remember, it’s important to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste after enjoying these treats. This aids in preserving excellent dental hygiene and ensuring the health of your teeth and gums. Always opt for safe candies for braces that melt in your mouth, reducing the risk of damage them!
What Candies Are Safe For Braces?
Braces-friendly Halloween treats are plentiful. Many candies that melt in your mouth are safe to eat while wearing braces. These include soft snacks that don’t contain sticky substances like caramel, toffee, or nuts.
However, you should avoid sticky foods and chewy candies such as taffy or gum. Hard candies like Jolly Ranchers are also not braces friendly. These can break your brackets and disrupt your treatment.
Chocolate
The most obvious are regular old chocolate bars. Soft chocolate candy that does not contain caramel or nuts can be eaten with braces just like you would without them. Just break your bars into smaller bites or stick with the bite-sized versions of your favorite candies.
Peanut Butter Cups
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Reese’s Pieces are also safe to eat with them. Peanut butter is not sticky enough to get stuck in your braces and cause any damage. Like all foods, though, be sure to brush and floss after eating.
Chocolate-Covered Candies
Certain other chocolate-covered candies are fine to eat with them. Wafers, mousse, marshmallows, cookies, and other soft treats covered in chocolate are fine to consume. Be sure to eat these in moderation to avoid cavities and gum disease.
What Candies Are Not Safe For Braces?
Good and bad choices of candy exist. Avoid hard, chewy, sticky, crunchy, or nut-filled sweets. These can damage your these things.
This rule may limit your Halloween candy haul. But don’t worry! You can always trade with your friends.
Remember, Avoiding damage with braces-friendly sweets is key. Opt for braces-friendly sweets like Hershey’s Kisses or Ice Cream. These are safer options for those with them.
Caramel
Caramel is near the top of the list of foods you should avoid eating with them. Caramel is sticky and gooey, which can potentially damage your brackets. It can also get stuck behind your brackets and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Suffice it to say, you should skip the caramel candies while you have your these things on and focus on other treats instead.
Jelly Beans
Jelly beans, like caramel, are candies you should avoid. They are not only sticky but also chewy. This can damage your brackets. Residue can get stuck in places that are hard to reach.
Jelly beans have a high sugar content. This can lead to the formation of bacteria. Cavities and gum disease can result from this. Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial.
Licorice & Twizzlers
Licorice and Twizzlers should be avoided while eating braces. The twists can break apart and get stuck in your brackets and wires. It can also be difficult to chew them if they’re a little stale. Although Twizzlers come in smaller, bite-sized pieces, they’re still not safe to eat with braces and should be avoided.
Popcorn Balls
Popcorn of most sizes, shapes, and flavors should be avoided. There are certain types of popcorn that are safe to eat with braces but not all of them are created equal. Click here to learn more about eating popcorn with braces.
Crunchy Chips
Crunchy potato chips should be avoided while undergoing braces treatment. Like popcorn, though, there are certain chips you can eat with braces. Learn more about eating potato chips with braces.
Conclusion
You can have candy during orthodontic treatment. This applies to both traditional braces and lingual braces.
Invisalign, another orthodontic option, might also allow for some candy consumption. Always remember to make smart choices for your dental health. The good thing about aligners, you can remove them, eat the candies, brush your teeth, and just place the aligners back on your teeth. That is all!
Choose soft chocolates and peanut butter treats. Avoid candies like caramel and toffee, which are sticky and crunchy. These can damage your braces.
Maintaining oral health during orthodontic treatment is crucial. Be disciplined in your eating habits. Once your braces are off, you can indulge in all the crunchy and sticky candies you desire. Remember, you should wear your braces for at least 22 hours a day for the best results in your treatment plan.
