Everyone deserves a sweet treat now and then—even those with braces. But choosing the wrong candy can damage orthodontic appliances, leading to unexpected repairs and treatment delays. If you’re preparing for Halloween, celebrating a special occasion, or simply indulging in a well-earned reward, knowing which candies are safe for braces is essential. The key is selecting soft, melt-in-your-mouth options and steering clear of sticky, chewy, or hard varieties. And don’t forget—brushing with fluoride toothpaste after enjoying candy helps protect your teeth and gums and keeps your treatment on track.
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What Candy Can You Eat with Braces?
What Junk Food Can I Eat with Braces?
Many popular candies are perfectly safe to eat with braces—provided they’re soft and free of sticky ingredients or hard pieces. Braces-friendly candies dissolve easily in your mouth and won’t put strain on your brackets or wires. When in doubt, opt for smooth chocolates or other soft treats that don’t contain nuts, caramel, or crunchy fillings.
Great choices for braces-safe candies include:
Plain milk chocolate bars without caramel or nuts
Peanut butter cups and peanut butter-flavored candies
Chocolate-covered soft treats (wafers, mousse, or marshmallow)
Melt-in-your-mouth mints or soft chocolate-based candies
Can You Eat Peanut Butter While Wearing Braces?
Can I Eat Chocolate if I Have Braces?
Milk chocolate is one of the safest indulgences for braces wearers. Soft chocolate without caramel or nut pieces poses no risk to your orthodontic hardware. To make eating even easier, break chocolate bars into small, manageable pieces or opt for bite-sized versions. Just be sure to practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing after enjoying chocolate to minimize cavity risk
Can I Eat Soft Chocolate with Braces?
Peanut butter cups, such as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, are another excellent option for those wearing braces. Peanut butter is not sticky enough to damage brackets or wires, making these candies a safe and delicious choice. Similarly, chocolate-covered treats containing mousse, marshmallow, or soft wafers can be enjoyed in moderation. As always, remember to brush and floss after eating to prevent plaque buildup and maintain your orthodontic progress.
What Candy Can I Not Eat with Braces?
Not all candies are created equal when it comes to braces safety. Certain types—especially those that are hard, chewy, sticky, or crunchy—can easily damage your brackets and wires. Even worse, residue from these candies can linger around your braces, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. While it may mean passing up a few of your favorite sweets, avoiding risky candies will protect your smile and keep your treatment on track.
Can Caramel Break Braces?
Caramel tops the list of candies to avoid with braces. Its sticky, gooey texture can easily pull on brackets and get lodged behind wires, making it difficult to clean your teeth properly. Caramel residue promotes bacteria growth and tooth decay, creating long-term dental risks. For the duration of your braces treatment, it’s best to skip caramel altogether.
Can I Eat Jelly Beans with Braces?
Jelly beans present two problems for braces wearers: they are both sticky and chewy. Biting into jelly beans can damage brackets, and leftover bits of candy can get stuck in hard-to-reach areas, making it difficult to maintain good oral hygiene. In addition, their high sugar content feeds harmful bacteria, increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease. Avoid jelly beans and opt for safer, braces-friendly alternatives.
What Shouldn't You Eat with Braces?
Can I Eat Licorice with Braces?
Licorice and Twizzlers may seem harmless, but they’re among the worst offenders for braces. These chewy, twisted candies can easily break apart and become lodged in your brackets or wires. Even bite-sized pieces pose a risk. Additionally, stale licorice can be especially tough to chew, making breakage or damage more likely. It’s best to avoid these treats entirely while wearing braces.
Can I Eat Popcorn with Braces On?
Popcorn balls and similar popcorn-based treats are not safe for braces wearers. Even small bits of popcorn kernel can cause significant damage if they get stuck between your braces and teeth. The risk of breaking a wire or bracket is high, and trapped kernels can contribute to plaque buildup and decay. While some types of popcorn may be okay in moderation, popcorn balls should be avoided altogether.
Can I eat chips with Braces?
Why No Doritos with Braces?
Crunchy potato chips pose similar risks to popcorn. The sharp edges of chips can break or bend wires, and crumbs can easily become trapped between your teeth and brackets. While there are some chip varieties that are softer and may be safer to eat, most crunchy chips should be avoided during braces treatment to protect your orthodontic appliances.
Can You Eat Hard Candy with Braces?
In addition to caramel, jelly beans, licorice, and popcorn, other candies should also be avoided. Toffee, nut-filled chocolates, hard candies, and chewy taffy all pose a risk to your braces and dental health. Sticking with soft, braces-friendly treats will help you maintain your progress and avoid unnecessary orthodontic repairs.
Candies to avoid with braces include:
- Sticky caramel and toffee candies
- Chewy treats like jelly beans, taffy, and licorice
- Hard candies such as Jolly Ranchers or lollipops
- Nut-filled chocolates or crunchy candies
- Popcorn balls or crunchy potato chips
Can I Eat Candy with Braces?
Having braces doesn’t mean you have to give up candy altogether. With smart choices and a little discipline, you can safely enjoy sweet treats without compromising your orthodontic progress. Always choose soft, melt-in-your-mouth candies that won’t damage your braces. Practice diligent oral hygiene after indulging, and avoid any treats that could put your brackets or wires at risk. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll protect your smile and keep your treatment on track—ensuring that when your braces come off, you can enjoy every candy with confidence!
How Do You Protect Your Teeth After Eating Candy?
Enjoying candy while wearing braces requires a little extra care. To protect your smile and avoid treatment delays, it’s important to practice excellent oral hygiene whenever you indulge in sweets. Candies leave sugars behind that feed harmful bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities and gum problems—especially around orthodontic appliances. Follow these smart dental habits to keep your teeth and braces healthy.
Oral care tips when enjoying candy with braces:
Brush your teeth thoroughly after eating any type of candy
Floss carefully around brackets and wires to remove trapped sugar
Rinse your mouth with water if brushing immediately isn’t possible
Limit sugary snacks to occasional treats, not daily indulgences
Is it OK to Eat Candy with Invisalign?
Invisalign clear aligners offer more flexibility when it comes to candy consumption—but they still require careful attention to oral hygiene. Since aligners are removable, patients can take them out to enjoy occasional sweets. However, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean your teeth before putting the aligners back in to avoid trapping sugar against the enamel.
Can I Eat Candy While Wearing Invisalign?
The key to eating candy safely with Invisalign is to maintain excellent dental hygiene and wear your aligners as directed. Remove the aligners while eating, brush your teeth and clean your trays before reinserting them. Never eat candy while wearing Invisalign aligners, as this can lead to staining, warping, or increased cavity risk.
Safe candy-eating habits for Invisalign wearers:
Always remove aligners before eating candy or any food
Brush teeth and clean aligners before reinserting them
Avoid sticky, chewy, or hard candies that can damage trays
Limit sugary treats to maintain aligner clarity and oral health
What Can You Not Eat with Invisalign?
Certain foods and behaviors should always be avoided when wearing Invisalign, even when the aligners are removed during eating. Sticky and hard candies can damage the aligners or lead to residue that is difficult to clean. Additionally, frequent snacking increases the risk of tooth decay if aligners are reinserted without proper cleaning.
Habits to avoid during Invisalign treatment:
Eating candy or sugary snacks with aligners in place
Wearing aligners without brushing after eating candy
Consuming hard or sticky treats that can warp or stain aligners
Excessive snacking that reduces overall aligner wear time
What candy can a kid with braces eat?
Kids with braces can still enjoy sweet treats, but it’s important to stick to candies that won’t harm their orthodontic appliances. Soft, non-sticky options are the safest bet. Milk chocolate bars, peanut butter cups, soft chocolate-covered treats, and certain melt-in-your-mouth chocolates (like Hershey’s Kisses) are good choices. These candies minimize the risk of breaking brackets or getting stuck between wires—making them a braces-friendly option for an occasional indulgence.
Can kids with braces eat M&Ms?
Kids with braces can enjoy certain types of M&Ms, but it’s important to choose carefully. Plain M&Ms or peanut butter M&Ms are generally safe because they have a soft, meltable center and a thin shell. However, peanut M&Ms should be avoided, as the hard nut center can put too much pressure on brackets and wires. When in doubt, stick with candies that don’t require much chewing to protect your orthodontic work.
Are Oreos ok with braces?
Oreos are not the best option for those with braces. Their hard, crunchy texture can put stress on brackets and wires, potentially leading to damage. If you’re craving a cookie, opt for soft-baked varieties without nuts or crunchy add-ins. Softer cookies are easier to bite through and less likely to interfere with orthodontic appliances.
Can kids with braces eat Kit Kats?
Yes, Kit Kats are generally safe to eat with braces—especially if you break them into small pieces and allow them to melt slightly in your mouth before chewing. The wafer texture is softer compared to hard candies, making it a safer choice. As with all treats, moderation is key, and it’s important to brush thoroughly afterward to prevent sugar buildup.
Are skittles ok for braces?
Skittles are not recommended for anyone wearing braces. Their chewy and sticky consistency can easily pull on brackets and wires, causing damage or dislodging parts of the braces. Additionally, Skittles’ high sugar content and acidity can contribute to enamel erosion and increase the risk of cavities. It’s best to avoid Skittles and opt for safer, softer candies instead.
Conclusion
Wearing braces or Invisalign doesn’t mean giving up candy altogether—it just means making smarter choices to protect your smile. By sticking to soft, braces-friendly treats and maintaining excellent oral hygiene, you can enjoy occasional sweets without compromising your orthodontic progress. Invisalign wearers also benefit from flexibility but should remain disciplined about cleaning teeth and aligners. Whether you’re in braces or aligners, responsible candy habits will help you maintain a healthy mouth and achieve the beautiful, straight smile you’ve been working toward.
About Diamond Braces
Diamond Braces is a premier dentist orthodontist provider specializing in braces, Invisalign, and retainers for kids, teens, and adults.
