So many kids and adults wear braces so they can have a healthier and straighter smile. But if they’re also candy lovers, finding the right sweet treats that are safe to eat can be a challenge.
There’s no reason to stress over what candy is safe to eat with braces though. You don’t have to give up your favorite snack. You only need to make smarter choices that will protect your braces and your teeth.
Once you know what candies are safe for braces, you can enjoy the wonderful sweetness without making extra trips to the orthodontist.
Candy and Braces Create a Sticky Situation
Whether you or your parents are footing the bill, braces are a long-term investment. To protect that investment, you need to avoid foods that can cause damage.
Some candies can be extremely harmful to braces. They can cause broken brackets or bent wires – or they can just create a sticky mess that’s hard to clean. Any of these issues can delay your treatment and even tack on extra costs to your orthodontist bill.
In fact, orthodontists usually recommend avoiding the following types of candies:
- Hard: Hard candies like jawbreakers or lollipops can crack brackets or wires.
- Sticky: Caramel, taffy, and other sticky treats can get lodged in braces and are difficult to clean.
- Chewy: Chewy candies can pull on brackets or wires, causing them to loosen.
- Crunchy: Candies with hard coatings or nuts can snap wires or brackets if bitten into.
These sorts of challenges might make you think you have to completely give up eating candy until your teeth are good and straight. But that’s simply not true.
If you choose softer, less sticky candy options, you can satisfy your sweet tooth while your braces stay in top condition. In fact, once you learn to responsibly choose candy, you’ll also promote better habits.
Avoiding sticky, sugary candies, for example, can naturally lead to fewer cavities and healthier teeth – with or without braces. But first you have to learn which candies are safe to eat.
Best Candy for Braces
Good news! There are plenty of braces-friendly candies for you to enjoy. Just choose options that are soft, easy to chew, and unlikely to get stuck in your braces.
In fact, these 10 types of candies are sure to tantalize your taste buds without jeopardizing your orthodontic journey.
1. Chocolate Bars Without Nuts or Caramel
Chocolate melts in your mouth, so it’s one of the safest options for braces. There’s’ little-to-no risk that chocolate will damage your brackets or wires.
Milk chocolate is a sweet and creamy option, or if you prefer something richer, dark chocolate has less sugar and a satisfying flavor.
Beware, however, of chocolate bars with hard chunks, sticky caramel, or crunchy nuts. Any of these ingredients can cause problems for your braces.
Brands like Sweet Services carry a variety of braces-friendly chocolates, like Hershey’s Miniatures. They’re perfect for satisfying your cravings.
2. Soft Candy
Braces wearers can also safely enjoy soft candies – as long as it’s that kind that won’t stick to your teeth. Marshmallows are a popular choice as the light and fluffy treats are easy on braces. Some gummies are also safe, but choose carefully.
Softer gummy varieties that lack a sticky texture are the best. Jelly beans – if soft enough – are another potentially safe candy if eaten occasionally. Consider Haribo Goldbears, a favorite for their braces-friendly texture and vibrant flavors.
3. Peanut Butter Cups
It should be no surprise that the ever-popular peanut butter cups are a fan favorite among braces wearers. With their soft and creamy texture, these candies are an ideal treat that won’t harm your braces.
Because peanut butter cups melt in your mouth, they perfectly balance flavor and safety, unlike other candies with their hard or sticky elements.
Classic options like Reese’s Peanut ButterCups make it easy to stock up on this braces-friendly treat.
4. Chocolate-Covered Treats
While chocolate by itself is safe for braces, not all chocolate treats are. While it’s best to avoid chocolate with nuts, nougat, or caramel, many chocolate-covered treats are braces-safe.
Sweets like chocolate-covered raisins and chocolate-covered pretzels offer a taste of sweetness without stressing your hardware. These sorts of treats combine a milk or dark chocolate coating with a gentle center that won’t damage wires or brackets.
5. Mints and Non-Sticky Hard Candy
While not all hard candies are safe to eat with braces, the kind that quickly dissolve without chewing them are safe to enjoy.
Mints are a refreshing option that won’t harm your braces – as long as you don’t try to chew them and let them melt in your mouth. On a similar note, lemon drops can provide a satisfactory tart experience without the risk of getting stuck.
6. Cotton Candy
You might be surprised to learn that cotton candy is another braces-friendly candy choice. While it’s basically straight sugar, it dissolves almost instantly in your mouth.
Since this fluffy, sugary treat doesn’t stick to braces or teeth, it’s a great option for special occasions like birthdays or trips to the fair. Anyone can enjoy this light and airy snack without worrying about damaging valuable orthodontic hardware.
7. Licorice (Soft Varieties)
Soft varieties of licorice are another type of candy that won’t harm braces. Licorice like red twists are less likely to stick or tug on braces. Tougher licorice, however, should be avoided. Sweet Services carries a whole collection of licorice, so you can find some that is safe for your braces but still tastes delicious.
8. Fruit Snacks
If you choose them carefully, soft fruit snacks are another braces-safe sweet. Look for brands that are less sticky and chewy. You’ll find that these tasty, fruity bites are a fun alternative to traditional candies. Look for options like Welch’s Fruit Snacks that are easy on braces while satisfying the cravings of those seeking variety.
9. Candy Canes (Sucked, Not Chewed)
Whether they’re part of holiday goodies or a sweet year-round treat, candy canes can be safely enjoyed by braces wearers as long as they resist the urge to bite into them. Letting candy canes dissolve in your mouth ensures they won’t damage your braces. They really are a festive, braces-friendly option.
10. Sugar-Free Candies
Sugar-free candies are of course a healthier choice. But they’re often gentler on braces, to boot. Look for soft or quick-dissolving candy that won’t stick or require chewing.
A Few Tips for Candy Lovers
Getting some braces-friendly candy is the first step. Now it’s important to be careful how you enjoy the sweetness. A few tips can help you keep your braces – and your teeth – in great shape no matter how much candy you eat:
- Whenever possible, brush and floss after you eat candy to remove sugar and debris. That prevents bacteria from forming around your braces.
- You can minimize prolonged exposure to sugar by limiting sugary treats to mealtime. When you eat candy with meals, your saliva helps wash away the sugar. It’s also a good opportunity to brush after meals.
- Consume smaller quantities of candy. You can cut larger treats into smaller pieces that are easier to eat. You’ll reduce the risk of accidentally damaging your braces.
- Always drink water after you eat candy. It will rinse away a lot of the sugar and protect your tooth enamel.
- Speak to your orthodontist. They might have more specific recommendations for you to follow when selecting candy that’s safe for your own braces.
- Whether or not you’re eating candy, always have an orthodontic wax kit on hand. If any part of your braces loosens or becomes uncomfortable after you eat candy, wax can temporarily ease your discomfort until you can see your orthodontist.
Sweet Smiles with Braces
Getting braces doesn’t mean giving up all your favorite candies. Just choose soft, braces-friendly treats like plain chocolate, marshmallows, and peanut butter cups. You’ll be able to enjoy all the sweetest moments worry-free – at least when it comes to your teeth.
Of course you always want to remember to care for both your teeth and your braces by brushing, flossing, and making smart candy choices.
Ready to treat yourself? Visit Sweet Services to find all your braces-friendly favorites. Go ahead! Stock up today and protect that sweet smile!
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