With Halloween just around the corner, kids of all ages are getting ready to indulge in the treats they collect from a successful night of trick-or-treating. But if you’re wearing braces, this candy-focused holiday can be less about trying everything you get and more about sorting out the kind that won’t ruin your braces.
Luckily, our team at the Centre for Invisible Braces is here to help. Dr. Grussmark and his team have rounded up the top treats that won’t wreck your braces or Invisalign aligners.
Soft Candy is Your Friend
When it comes to braces, soft solid candies like chocolates, Three Musketeers, and plain M&Ms are all great choices for your Halloween basket because they can be easily chewed without getting stuck in the wires. Just remember to avoid nut-filled chocolates as these can damage your oral appliance.
Sticky Sweets Mean Broken Brackets
While caramels, Starbursts, and sour gummy worms might be delicious, they can be serious threats to your braces. This is because these sticky treats often get stuck to the brackets and are especially difficult to remove. Even worse, sticky candies are notorious for breaking or pulling off brackets, which will require an emergency visit to our orthodontist in Miami right after the holiday.
Set Aside the Hard Stuff
Although Lollipops, LifeSavers, and Jolly Ranchers are perennial classics among kids and adults, these treats are terrible for teeth and braces. Because they have to be slowly dissolved instead of bitten and chewed, hard candies essentially bathe your teeth and braces in a slow sugar bath as they’re eaten. By introducing more sugar to your smile, you quickly increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Stick to Your Routine
Whether you have braces or not, healthy smiles start with practicing good oral hygiene at home. This means brushing and flossing each day, using an effective mouthwash, and drinking plenty of water to help wash away bacteria and plaque from teeth. If you or your child are wearing traditional braces, diligently cleaning around the wires and bracket is especially important for removing any and all leftover candy.
- List of Braces-Friendly Candy
Not sure what’s a safe candy? Check out Dr. Grussmark’s list of top candies that are safe for braces:
Hershey’s Chocolate Bars & Kisses
Plain M&Ms
Peppermint Patties
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Pieces
At the Centre for Invisible Braces, we’re just as excited about the upcoming holiday as you are. In the event your candy damages your braces, give our Miami orthodontist a call – we’ll set your smile right and get your braces treatment back on track!