What is scarier than a ghost or goblin on Halloween night? A broken bracket or wire caused by a piece of candy! No one wants to spend their evening tending to an orthodontic emergency while everyone else participates in the spooky festivities, but this is what can happen if you’re not careful. While wearing traditional braces, you may wonder if you’ll need to give up all treats this Halloween, but before you do, here are some orthodontic-friendly options you can enjoy.
Which Candies Are Safe to Eat with Braces?
Are you a chocolate kind of person or do you prefer sticky, gummy candies? If you’re in the first category, you’re in luck. Some of the best candies to eat while wearing traditional metal braces include:
- Nut-free chocolate bars
- Plain or peanut butter M&Ms
- Soft chocolate bars (3 Musketeers)
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Kit Kats
- Reese’s Pieces
- Soft cookies
- Cheese puffs
- Ritz Bits or Cheez-It mini crackers
Chocolate is much easier to remove from teeth and braces than other textures. Also, its soft consistency means you don’t have to bite down on anything hard, which can put your appliances at risk of breaking.
Which Candies Should You Avoid?
While wearing braces, you may be sad to learn you’ll need to give up some of your favorite candies, but remember, it’s only during treatment. This Halloween, stay away from:
- Taffy
- Caramels
- Suckers
- Hard candy (Jolly Ranchers, Peppermints)
- Jelly candies (Swedish Fish)
- Gum
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Chocolate with nuts
- Candy apples
- Chewy candies (Tootsie Rolls)
These not only put your braces at risk of breaking, but they can also become stuck between your wires and brackets. This can make it hard for you to remove the pieces while brushing and flossing. You must stay on top of your oral hygiene to avoid cavities, decay, and other serious issues. Avoiding these candies helps minimize your risk and prevent a fun night out from turning into an unexpected orthodontic emergency visit.
If you’re not planning on trick-or-treating but instead hosting a party or handing out goodies to kids, consider healthier alternatives, such as stickers, pencils, googly eyes, or vampire fangs. Braces-friendly foods also include deviled eggs, quesadillas, bean dip, and more.
Halloween is a time to make memories, have fun, and worry less about your braces. Choose the right candies to keep your smile on track and damage-free.
About the Author
Dr. Alex J. Johnson is an orthodontist with more than 30 years of experience. After completing his dental doctorate at Washington University, he earned his master’s and orthodontic certificate. Since graduating, he has spent decades completing additional educational courses and training and is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists. If you are considering braces to straighten your smile, visit our website or call (727) 786–7550 to schedule an appointment.