Halloween is an exciting time of year, with lots of spooky costumes, haunted houses, and of course, plenty of trick-or-treating to obtain all sorts of delicious sweets and treats! But for those individuals with braces or other orthodontic appliances, finding candy that won’t harm or interfere with their dental work can be a challenge—but not an impossible one! Here’s more about some of the candy that’s fine for braces wearers to eat during Halloween, along with some things that can be problematic.
Candies That Are Problematic for Braces
Braces are notorious for coming with dietary restrictions, many of which include several beloved and classic Halloween candies. If you or a trick-or-treater you know has braces, steer clear of these types of items:
- Hard candies like lollipops, jawbreakers, Jolly Ranchers, and candy apples; these items can damage the metal brackets and wires of your braces.
- Chewy or sticky candies like bubblegum, taffy, caramel, licorice, Starbursts, Skittles, etc. These have the potential to dislodge parts of your braces or become stuck in them.
Candies That Won’t Harm Braces
Luckily, there are still several other types of candy that can be safely eaten if you have braces. While you’ll want to consume them in moderation and maintain excellent oral hygiene, you can still munch on any of the following:
- Soft chocolate bars and treats like chocolate-covered marshmallows, Hershey’s Kisses, truffles, or even chocolate-covered fruits are all easy on braces. If you’re a fan of dark chocolate, it’s generally lower in sugar than milk chocolate, too!
- Peanut butter cups aren’t just a Halloween classic—the soft peanut butter filling combined with chocolate is smooth enough for braces, though you’ll want to brush thoroughly afterward to remove any residue. Similarly, peppermint patties have soft inner textures, with the added bonus of a minty-fresh aftertaste!
- In addition to candy, you can opt for other tasty Halloween treats like apple cider, soft-baked cookies, and Jell-O. Although it wouldn’t be Halloween without candy, these days, there are all sorts of creative culinary ideas that are gentler on teeth with braces.
Other General Dental Tips for the Halloween Season
Although it’s important to be very mindful of what candy you’re eating while you have braces, you should also keep a few other things in mind:
- No matter what candy you’re eating, it never hurts to take small bites and chew thoroughly with your back teeth. If you’re eating hard chocolate, consider letting it melt in your mouth for a few seconds before you begin chewing.
- Since brackets and wires can trap food particles, it’s always smart to eat candy in moderation. Additionally, you should brush your teeth around half an hour after eating candy. You might also pair your candy with meals, to help curb the amount you end up eating.
- Always drink plenty of water, especially if you’re unable to follow up a candy-eating session with brushing. Water is by far the best beverage for your oral health and stimulates the mouth’s flow of saliva, which is your first line of defense against cavity-causing bacteria.
- Patients with clear aligners can be a little more lenient when it comes to candy selection, since the aligners are being removed when something is eaten, anyway. However, if proper oral hygiene isn’t maintained, the aligners can still trap sugary particles underneath them.
This Halloween, there’s no need to feel left out of all the festivities just because you can’t enjoy certain candy due to your braces. With so many orthodontic-friendly ideas and alternatives out there, you can still make the most of your spooky season without compromising your dental work!
About the Practice
Dr. Frances Hamman and her talented team at Sensational Smiles Orthodontics have proudly served patients and families in the Ripon, WI community for several years, and they’d love to help you and your loved ones next! If you have any questions about the article or you’d like to set up an appointment, feel free to contact her practice online or over the phone for assistance. Telephone: (920) 798-6087.
