Kids love candy. Adults, too. There is something about the sweet, sugary stuff that just helps us find our happy place - even if only for a moment. For those with braces, however, that momentary satisfaction felt by the sweet tooth can turn into a disaster for traditional braces.
Does that mean you have to avoid candy entirely while going through an orthodontic treatment involving braces? Not at all.
Candy You Can Eat With Braces
Having braces doesn’t mean having to give up having a piece of candy. Rather, just make wise choices when you do. Candy that is soft and not sticky - maybe it even melts in your mouth - is much easier for your braces to handle. Does this mean chocolate is your ally? Perhaps, but only in moderation.
- Kit Kats
- Three Musketeers
- Hershey’s Kisses
- York Peppermint Patties
- Snow Caps
- Sweet Tarts
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Junior Mints
- Chocolate candy with no nuts or caramel
Candy to Avoid With Braces
If you have braces, you will want to avoid candy that is hard, crunchy, sticky, and chewy. That means avoiding candy such as:
- Starbursts
- Jolly Ranchers
- Caramels
- Tootsie Rolls
- Chocolate candy with nuts
A few others are:
- Laffy Taffy
- Skittles
- Twizzlers
- Gummy Bears
- Gum
- Licorice
- Sour candy
- Lollipops
The Damage Caused by Candy
Although it tastes delightful, candy is not the most nutritious thing to eat. We all know this, but we still like to indulge every now and then, right? This is especially true for kids who don’t want to feel left out when all their friends are enjoying a treat.
But there are certain candies that can wreak havoc on braces. For instance, biting down on a hard piece of candy can actually cause your bracket to pop off or result in broken wires. Sticky candy puts stress on all parts of the braces - brackets, wires, and bands. Then, of course, we have to acknowledge the fact that eating loads of sticky sugar can cause cavities. With so much hardware in your mouth, it is difficult to make sure you are properly removing the danger from all crevices.
You should stick to the candy that is safe for those with braces, and avoid the candy that is not. And always limit your consumption to ensure you are able to maintain a healthy, cavity-free mouth.
Learn More About the Impact of Sugar on Braces
If you have braces, we don’t want you to feel as though you cannot enjoy life -- including eating candy. The idea is for you to enjoy candy that is safe for your braces and to pass up the candy that may cause damage. Otherwise, you may find yourself requiring an extra trip to the orthodontist for repair.
Dr. Suzanne Stock and her team are available to give you the best orthodontic care while helping you understand the do’s and don’ts of candy and braces.
Call one of our convenient locations today. Or, request an appointment online.