Halloween tops the list of favorite holidays for many people. Not only do you get to dress up in fun costumes, but there are also tons of free treats! If you’re new to braces, you may be wondering how chewy candy affects your braces and if you will still be able to enjoy your favorite treats. We’ve got you covered with the info you need to know about which candy options are the safest for your braces.
The Details About Chewy Candy
You’ve probably been encouraged from the start to enjoy soft foods in order to be gentle on your braces, so chewy candies seem like they might be a good option. Unfortunately, chewy candies are sticky, too, and that can be bad news for orthodontics.
How chewy candy affects your braces can be quite serious. Chewy candy can not only stick to your braces, making them difficult to clean, but they can also bend and pull the wires, bands and brackets off of your teeth, leading to discomfort, an extra visit to your orthodontist for a repair, and sometimes delays in your treatment time.
What About Hard Candies?
It may seem counterintuitive, since you’ve been encouraged to avoid hard foods while wearing braces, but hard candies can actually be a safer alternative that doesn’t have to be off-limits. If you’re able to refrain from chewing the hard candy and simply suck on it until the very end, it’s unlikely to damage your braces.
Of course, if it isn’t sugar-free, it’s important to enjoy it in moderation and brush well afterwards so it doesn’t lead to cavities for your teeth!
Is Chocolate Safe?
Chocolate is another good option for braces-wearers. Just make sure that the chocolate candy doesn’t contain an inner chewy or crunchy layer that could damage your braces. Also, be mindful not to bite into the chocolate, instead break off pieces with your hands before consuming.
Ask Your Orthodontist
It’s always helpful to ask your orthodontist any questions you have about what foods are best to enjoy or avoid while you have braces. Healthy teeth is their passion, so they won’t get tired of it, no matter how many questions you ask! If you make an appointment before the holiday, they can also help explain how chewy candy affects your braces and suggest alternatives so everyone can safely enjoy their trick-or-treating this Halloween.
Call our Roswell, Artesia or Ruidoso dental offices to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.