Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for kids; there are costumes, parties, and, of course, tons of candy! But if your child is wearing braces or another orthodontic appliance, not all treats are suitable for their smile. In fact, some candies can even damage the brackets and wires of braces, delaying treatment progress or even causing painful emergencies. However, the good news is that your child can still enjoy Halloween as there are plenty of different sweets and treats that are braces-friendly. Here’s what you need to know.
The Best Braces-Friendly Halloween Candies
When it comes to braces, soft, melt-in-your-mouth candies are the way to go. While moderation is always going to be key, a few options that are relatively braces-friendly include:
- Chocolate (without nuts) – Plain chocolate washes off of teeth and braces fairly easily, and better yet, dark chocolate contains far less sugar content than milk chocolate options.
- Peanut butter cups – Smooth and soft enough to enjoy without damaging braces, peanut butter cups are timeless and popular with children (and adults).
- Soft cookies or brownies – These are gentle on braces and very easy to chew; just have your child avoid items with hard pieces or extra-chewy centers.
Halloween Candies That Cause Problems for Braces
Even if your child loves some of these items, if they have braces, it’s best to hold off until next year for the sake of their orthodontic journey. Some sweets and treats to reconsider include:
- Hard candies like Jolly Ranchers, lollipops and suckers, and jawbreakers can cause serious issues for braces and lead to a broken bracket or wire. This includes candies with crunchy or hard bites, as well as items with nuts.
- Sticky and chewy candies like taffy, caramels, Starbursts, Skittles, and gummy worms can likewise cause a bracket to become dislodged.
- Caramel apples and candied apples are a no-go; even though they contain fruit, they’re tough on braces and can cause serious damage when bitten into.
- Popcorn balls are festive, buttery balls of joy, but popcorn is a major off-limits item for those with braces!
Kids with braces don’t have to miss out on any of the Halloween fun, but they do need to make smart choices when it comes to their candy. Of course, this should also be complemented with excellent at-home oral hygiene!
About the Practice
Our team here at Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics has proudly served families in New Britain and the surrounding area for several years, offering a wide range of pediatric dental and orthodontic services for children of all ages. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our practice to set up an appointment for your child, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (860) 224-2419.