If it is your first fall with braces, you may be wondering if you can enjoy some Halloween candy this year. And while we are not going to encourage you to binge on sugary candy too much, we know you are most likely going to indulge in some treats this time of year.
Which Halloween sweets and snacks are the best (and worst) for braces? Find out which candies you can treat yourself to and what to stay away from for now.
Why is Candy Bad for Braces?
First, let us explain. Candy and treats are not the best options for your overall dental health, and some things can be especially bad for braces. You know sugar can cause cavities. You also want to look out for foods that can get wedged behind braces or between teeth and cause tooth decay. When you have braces, you also have to watch out for foods that can damage them.
Halloween Candy to Avoid With Braces
Let’s start with the bad news first. Here are some of the treats you should absolutely not have with braces.
Hard Candy
Hard candies are a bad idea. Some examples to steer clear of are:
- Jolly Ranchers
- Peppermints
- Jawbreakers
- Lollypops
Even if you just plan to suck on them, you could accidentally bite into one or it can get stuck on part of your braces. This can cause a lot of damage, including a bent wire or broken bracket. This delays your treatment plan and your results, meaning a longer time in braces.
Chewy Candy
Chewy candies are not your friend while you have braces. In fact, because they are high in sugar and can stick to teeth, they are bad for oral health in general.
- Tootsie Rolls
- Airheads
- Starburst
- Gummies
- Skittles
- Caramel
With braces, they can get stuck between your teeth and in the brackets and wires of your braces, and as you try to chew they can pull on the structures and cause damage. Sticky and hard candies (think of hard caramels, butterscotch, and toffee) are the worst offenders.
Anything with Nuts
You already know to stay away from seeds, popcorn, and nuts, so avoid these as well as candy with nuts inside:
- Snickers
- Almond Joy
- Baby Ruth
- Payday
These foods have hard pieces that can get stuck in braces or cause damage, just like hard candy, even if they are hidden with delicious-looking chocolate. But that brings us to the good news…
Candy You Can Eat With Braces
Don’t worry; there are still options to enjoy your Halloween haul! And the best part is, these are usually everyone’s favorites anyway.
Milk and Dark Chocolate
You can indulge in milk or dark chocolate bars with less worry, especially the ones that are simply chocolate:
- Hershey Bars (no nuts)
- Kisses
- Dove Bars
- M&Ms
These purely chocolate options are soft and tend to melt pretty quickly. In fact, for this reason, even the sugar doesn’t stick to teeth long. And dark chocolate may even have certain health benefits. Pure dark chocolate is your best choice, with milk chocolate being “not that bad.”
Chocolate Bars with Softer Fillings
If you like a crunch, go for a softer crunch:
- Crunch Bars
- KitKats
If you want a chewy treat, choose:
- 3 Musketeers
- Milky Way
If you like savory flavors, pick:
- Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
- York Patties
Happy Halloween From Your Naperville Orthodontist
Be mindful when you choose which Halloween candies to choose and you can feel safe enjoying these braces-friendly options – in moderation, of course!
If you do have candy-related damage (or issues from any other cause) to your braces, contact our office immediately to get your treatment back on track.
