Getting braces can be an exciting time, but it also comes with many dietary restrictions. One of the most common questions asked by new brace wearers is “Can I still eat Kit Kats with braces?” As an experienced orthodontist, I completely understand this concern. Kit Kats are a beloved chocolate candy bar that many don’t want to give up. In this comprehensive guide, I will answer whether or not Kit Kats are fine for braces, provide tips for safely enjoying them with orthodontics, discuss ingredients and nutritional information, and compare Kit Kats to other chocolate bar options. Read on to satisfy your curiosity about Kit Kats and braces!
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to common questions about eating Kit Kats with braces:
- Are Kit Kats okay for braces? Yes, Kit Kats can be safely enjoyed in moderation with braces as long as you follow precautions.
- Do Kit Kats damage braces? Kit Kats are unlikely to damage braces if eaten carefully in small bites and thoroughly chewed.
- Can bits of Kit Kat get stuck in braces? Small pieces of Kit Kat can get temporarily stuck in braces if not chewed thoroughly. Proper oral hygiene is important.
- Are there certain flavors of Kit Kat that are better for braces? Original Kit Kats are likely the best for braces, as other flavors may have harder or sticky ingredients.
- Are there any precautions needed when eating Kit Kats with braces? Take small bites, chew thoroughly with your back teeth, and clean your teeth and braces thoroughly afterwards.
Are Kit Kats Safe for Braces?
The main question many want to know is whether or not Kit Kats will damage or break braces. The good news is that occasional enjoyment of Kit Kats is unlikely to cause any harm to braces or orthodontic appliances. However, there are some precautions you should take to safely indulge in the crispy chocolate wafer bars:
- Bite off small pieces at a time instead of taking a big bite out of the bar.
- Chew slowly and completely with your back teeth, avoiding your front teeth with braces as much as possible.
- Do not bite into or pull on the Kit Kat with your front teeth, as this places unnecessary force on your braces.
- After eating, thoroughly swish water and brush your teeth and braces to remove any stuck bits of chocolate or wafer.
The crisp layers and chocolate can temporarily adhere to braces if proper oral hygiene isn’t practiced. But taking small bites and following up with thorough brushing allows you to satisfy your Kit Kat craving without damaging braces!
Ingredients & Nutrition Information
To better understand the impact Kit Kats may have on your orthodontic treatment, let’s break down what’s actually in them:
Ingredients:
- Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, skim milk, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin, PGPR)
- Wheat flour
- Sugar
- Cocoa butter
- Yeast
- Palm oil
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Natural and artificial flavors
Nutrition Info (per 1.5 oz serving):
- 220 calories
- 11g fat
- 24g carbs
- 2g protein
- 22g sugar
The main concerns when it comes to braces are the sugar content, stickiness, crunchiness, and hardness of foods. While Kit Kats are high in sugar, which is bad for dental health, they pose little risk of actually damaging braces as long as you chew carefully. The wafer layers provide crunch but are not excessively hard. The chocolate dissolves fairly quickly with thorough chewing as well. So mind the sugar content, but know that Kit Kats can be compatible with orthodontic appliances.
Tips for Enjoying Kit Kats With Braces
If you want to safely satisfy your Kit Kat craving while wearing braces, follow these tips:
- Break the bar into smaller pieces instead of biting off chunks.
- Chew slowly with your molars, avoiding the wafer pieces hitting your front braces.
- Do not bite into or pull on the Kit Kat with your front teeth.
- After eating, swish with water and brush your teeth and braces thoroughly to remove any lingering pieces.
- Consider drinking milk alongside Kit Kats, as this helps rinse sugar from the mouth.
- Limit Kit Kat consumption to once a week or so as a treat, as frequent sugar exposure could lead to cavities.
Taking small bites, chewing thoroughly, and practicing good oral hygiene minimizes any risks of Kit Kats damaging braces. Enjoying them in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet keeps your orthodontist happy too!
Kit Kat Alternatives for Braces
While original Kit Kats tend to be fine for braces, you may want to avoid some of the alternative flavors, as these contain harder, sticker, or more brittle ingredients:
- Kit Kat Crisp Wafers in Chocolate – The plain chocolate and wafer bars are safest.
- Kit Kat White – The white chocolate may be sticker.
- Kit Kat Cookies & Cream – The cookie pieces could be hard on braces.
- Kit Kat Mint – The mint flakes could get trapped in braces.
- Kit Kat Birthday Cake – The sprinkles may be hard and stick to braces.
Your safest bet is sticking with original Kit Kats or the Kit Kat Dark chocolate version when you want to satisfy your craving. The dark chocolate is less sticky than milk or white chocolate.
Some healthier braces-friendly alternatives to Kit Kats include:
- Bananas: Provide sweetness without stickiness or crunch.
- Greek yogurt: Creamy texture won’t bother braces.
- Protein bars: Look for soft, smooth ones without hard chunks.
- Pudding: Slides smoothly over orthodontics.
- Applesauce: No chewing required for this mild snack.
While you don’t have to fully give up candy with braces, opting for some healthier alternatives can be beneficial for your oral health and satisfy your sweet tooth as well!
Are Kit Kats Ultimately Fine for Braces?
At the end of the day, enjoying the occasional Kit Kat with braces is unlikely to cause any disaster or damage. While no candy is truly great for your dental health, Kit Kats tend to be on the safer spectrum for orthodontic wearers. Taking small bites, chewing thoroughly with your back teeth, and practicing good oral hygiene makes indulging in the crispy chocolate wafer bars fairly compatible with braces. Don’t make them a daily habit and be vigilant in caring for your teeth and appliances, but the occasional Kit Kat can absolutely be part of maintaining your quality of life while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Moderation and precaution are key, but depriving yourself of all chocolate satisfaction is unnecessary. Be mindful, take care of your braces, and enjoy those Kit Kat breaks judiciously!
References
- American Association of Orthodontists. (n.d.). Foods to eat during orthodontic treatment. Retrieved from https://www.aaoinfo.org/blog/2015/06/foods-to-eat-during-orthodontic-treatment
- American Dental Association. (n.d.). Diet and dental health. Retrieved from https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/diet-and-dental-health
- Burris, B.G., Harris, E.F. (2000). Maxillary arch size and shape in American blacks and whites. Angle Orthodontist, 70(4), 297–302.
- Kit Kat. (n.d.). Nutrition Information. Retrieved from https://www.kitkat.com/about/nutrition-information
- Mitchell, L. (2017). Foods you can eat with braces. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/foods-to-eat-with-braces#crunchyfoods
- Winer, B.J. (1971). Statistical Principles in Experimental Design (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
