So you just got your braces on and now you’re worried about how you’ll survive without eating candy for the next year or two. Don’t worry, there are still plenty of treats you can enjoy while keeping your braces in good shape. But remember, not all candy plays nice with braces.
In this guide, you’ll learn which tasty treats won’t stick to wires or bust brackets.
Tips for Enjoying Candy with Braces
The golden rule for having a sweet treat is take it slow, avoid eating anything really hard or sticky, and be sure to brush well after eating! Any damage to your braces could prolong your treatment, so make sure to be careful.
When identifying if something is safe to eat, you can ask the following questions:
- Is it gummy or sticky? If yes, then you should avoid eating it as it may get stuck on your wires or loosen a bracket.
- Is it hard or crunchy? If yes, then this would also be good to avoid as hard pieces may dislodge a bracket or distort a wire.
As with any unhealthy food, make sure to limit how much candy you eat and brush well afterwards. Even safe candies contain sugar, which can lead to cavities if not properly cleaned from your teeth and braces. If consumed in excess, it can “lead to permanent white marks (decalcification), cavities or gum disease (gingivitis)” as per the American Association of Orthodontists. Moderation is key!
Candy You Can Enjoy With Braces
When it comes to identifying which treats you can safely eat, softness is your friend! Aim to only eat treats that are soft and not sticky or gummy.
Chocolates
As long as you avoid chocolate with nuts and caramel, most chocolates are fine to eat in moderation. The following chocolate types and brands are safe to consume:
- Soft plain chocolate (Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, Hershey’s Kisses, Cadbury Milk Chocolate)
- Chocolate with smooth peanut butter filling (Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups)
- Chocolate with wafer fillings (Kit Kat)
- Chocolate with non-sticky nougat fillings (3 Musketeers)
Soft Treats
There are plenty of softer treats that you can safety have
- Soft cookies (without hard chunks)
- Brownies
- Marsh mellows
- Ice cream
Candy to Avoid With Braces
When you have braces, it’s important to be picky about the treats you eat. Sticky, chewy or hard candies can damage your braces or get stuck in them. As a good rule of thumb, avoid anything gummy, taffy-like, or hard as a rock. Try to steer clear of the following:
Gummy Candy
- Gummy worms
- Gummy bears
- Jellybeans
- Bubble gum
- Licorice
- Tootsie Rolls
- Starburst
Taffy & Caramels
- Caramels
- Taffy
- Chocolates with caramel fillings
Hard Treats
- M&Ms
- Skittles
- Lollipops
- Popcorn
- Nuts and treats with nuts
If you happen to experience a loose bracket, a bent wire, or any other orthodontic emergency, please reach out to your local clinic as soon as possible!
Braces With Cliff Ridge
At Cliff Ridge Specialty Partners, making your treatment as quick and painless as possible is our number one priority. Our orthodontists are focused on providing the highest quality of clinical care to patients, leveraging the latest advances in the field. Reach out today for a free consultation.
