As you know, Halloween is right around the corner. Halloween is one of the most widely-anticipated holidays every year, especially if you are someone who plans on going trick-or-treating. Of course, we all know candy is bad for our health, however, there’s nothing wrong with making an exception once a year and indulge in all the holiday has to offer. That being said, if you or your child has braces, unfortunately, there are various candies that you must stay away from, as many candies pose a serious risk of damaging braces. Fortunately, it’s not all bad news, as there are plenty of candies we all can enjoy, braces or not. Please continue reading and speak with our experienced New Jersey dental team to learn more about what those with braces should, and should not eat.
What candies are the worst for braces?
As you can imagine, sticky candies pose the greatest risk to those with braces, as they can get caught in between wires or even cause brackets to pop loose. This means that it is a good rule of thumb to avoid candies such as Milk Duds, Laffy Taffy, Star Bursts, and other candies of that nature. You should also make it a point to avoid all hard candies, as when you apply pressure to chew those candies, that pressure is also put on your braces, which means that oftentimes, this causes brackets to pop or wires to bend, which, therefore, means an additional trip to your orthodontist. Some examples of hard candies that you should avoid include Jolly Ranchers, butterscotch suckers, lollipops, and more.
What Halloween candies are safe for people with braces?
There are many Halloween candies that those with braces can generally enjoy. For example, certain chocolate candies, such as Hershey Kisses or Reeses Pieces are usually fine, provided you do not have an allergy. Additionally, soft cookies are also generally fine. As a general rule of thumb, if candy is not hard or chewy, it is most likely okay to consume while wearing braces, in moderation of course. The bottom line is that no candy is good for our teeth and our bodies, however, what’s Halloween without candy? Just ensure you brush and floss regularly, especially after this particular holiday.
Contact The Dental Associates of Basking Ridge
Dental Associates of Basking Ridge is a compassionate, gentle, and professional state-of-the-art dental practice serving Basking Ridge, Morris & Somerset County. Our office is always ready to greet our patients with a smile, take the time to answer any questions, and provide the quality dental services our patients expect. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you!