What Candy Can You Have with Braces?

Braces are a fantastic way to straighten teeth and improve your smile, but they also come with some dietary restrictions. Certain foods and candies can be tough on braces, potentially causing discomfort or even damage to the brackets and wires. However, that doesn’t mean you have to give up candy altogether. There are plenty of sweet treats that are braces-friendly! If you’re wearing braces and craving something sugary, here’s a guide to help you enjoy candy without harming your orthodontic work.

What You Need to Avoid

Before we dive into the candies you can have, let’s quickly review the types of candy you should avoid with braces:

1. Sticky Candies: Gummy bears, taffy, caramel, and other chewy, sticky candies can get stuck in your braces, making it difficult to clean your teeth properly. They can also pull on the wires and brackets, causing damage.
2. Hard Candies: Lollipops, jawbreakers, and other hard candies can be problematic for braces because biting down on them can break or loosen the brackets. Even sucking on them for long periods can contribute to tooth decay.
3. Candies with Nuts or Caramel: Nuts, popcorn, and caramels can be difficult to clean from your braces. The pieces may get lodged in your wires, causing plaque buildup or even damage.
4. Chewing Gum: Although not technically a candy, gum is often tempting for those with braces. However, it can get stuck to your brackets and wires and can even lead to gum-related issues, especially if you chew it too aggressively.

Braces-Friendly Candy Options

Now, let’s focus on the good news: there are plenty of candies that are perfectly safe to enjoy with braces! Here are some tasty options that won’t damage your orthodontics:

1. Chocolate: Good news for chocolate lovers! Chocolate, particularly milk and dark chocolate, is a great option for people with braces. It’s soft and easy to eat, and it melts in your mouth, which means it’s gentle on your braces. Just make sure the chocolate is free of nuts or caramel chunks.
2. Soft Candies: Candies that are soft and easy to chew, like marshmallows, are braces-friendly. They won’t pull on your brackets or wires, and they’re gentle on your teeth. You can also enjoy chocolate-covered marshmallows as a fun treat.
3. Cotton Candy: This sugary, fluffy treat is a good option for those with braces because it dissolves quickly and doesn’t stick to your wires. Just be careful not to eat too much at once, as the sugar can contribute to cavities if you don’t brush afterward.
4. Peanut Butter Cups: Peanut butter cups, such as Reese’s, are another safe option. The peanut butter is soft, and the chocolate coating is easy to bite into without causing damage to your braces.
5. Jelly Beans (without the sticky coating): Jelly beans that are soft and easy to chew without a sticky coating are a good choice. You can enjoy the chewy texture, just be sure to avoid the hard or overly chewy varieties.
6. M&Ms: Since M&Ms are small, soft, and easy to chew, they are an excellent candy option for people with braces. They also don’t stick to your brackets and are unlikely to cause any damage to your orthodontics.
7. Skittles (if chewed carefully): Skittles can be safe to eat if you chew them gently. While they’re chewy, they don’t have the same level of stickiness as gummy candies, so they are less likely to get stuck in your braces.
8. Sour Candies (without the sticky coating): Some sour candies, like Sour Patch Kids or sour gummies, are softer and less sticky than their chewy counterparts. Just be sure to chew them slowly and avoid any that are overly sticky or hard.
9. Hard Candies (only for sucking, not biting): If you’re craving hard candy, you can still enjoy some, as long as you don’t bite into it. Hard candies like Jolly Ranchers can be sucked on slowly, but avoid crunching down on them with your teeth, as they could break a bracket.

Helpful Tips for Enjoying Candy with Braces

1. Eat in Moderation: Even with braces-friendly candy, it’s important to enjoy sweets in moderation. Excess sugar can lead to plaque buildup and cavities, so be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly after eating candy.
2. Brush Afterward: Always brush your teeth after eating candy to ensure there’s no leftover sugar stuck to your braces. You can also rinse your mouth with water if you can’t brush right away.
3. Avoid Biting into Hard Candies: Even if you enjoy sucking on hard candy, it’s important to avoid biting down on them. Biting into hard candy can put unnecessary pressure on your braces and cause damage.
4. Carry Dental Floss or a Toothbrush: If you’re eating candy while out and about, it’s a good idea to have floss or a toothbrush on hand to clean out any sugar or debris stuck in your braces.
5. Check Ingredients for Allergens: If you have food allergies, make sure to check the ingredients on your candy to ensure it’s safe for you to eat. Some candies may contain nuts, dairy, or gluten, which could trigger an allergic reaction.

Conclusion

While braces can make it a bit trickier to indulge in your favorite candies, there are still plenty of options to satisfy your sweet tooth. Chocolate, soft candies, peanut butter cups, M&Ms, and even marshmallows are great choices that won’t damage your braces. Just remember to eat candy in moderation, and always take care to brush your teeth after indulging to keep your smile sparkling and your braces in good shape.

By following these simple guidelines, you can continue to enjoy candy while keeping your braces—and your teeth—safe!