Can I chew candy with braces?

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Quick Answer

You can chew some candies with braces, but you need to be very careful about which ones. Hard or sticky candies can damage braces brackets and wires. Chewy candies like caramels can get stuck in braces. The safest options are chocolates that melt easily in your mouth. Check with your orthodontist for specific guidelines on allowed candies.

Can You Eat Candy with Braces?

The answer is not a straightforward yes or no. Orthodontists generally recommend avoiding candy with braces, but they know patients will indulge in sweets from time to time. The key is choosing the right kinds of candy that reduce your risk of damage. Here are some guidelines:

Avoid very hard candies that you need to crunch or chew a lot. Jawbreakers, mint candies, hard candy canes, etc. can all potentially crack or break brackets.

Avoid chewy, sticky candies like caramels, gummies, taffies, licorice, Starburst, Skittles, jelly beans, etc. These tend to get stuck in braces and are difficult to remove.
Avoid candy with nuts or seeds that could get caught in braces.
Avoid sour candies that are coated in acids and can damage tooth enamel.

Better options are softer candies that melt easily in your mouth, such as chocolates, peanut butter cups, Rolos, chocolate-covered raisins, etc.

The key is to choose candies that don’t require a lot of chewing force, won’t get stuck in braces, and minimize time in contact with your teeth. Check ingredients carefully and ask your orthodontist for their specific recommendations.

Risks of Eating Candy with Braces

Here are some of the potential risks and downsides of eating the wrong kinds of candy with braces:

Bracket or Wire Damage

Hard, crunchy candies require a lot of chewing force. This can cause the brackets that hold the wires in place to crack or break off. Wires can also get bent out of position. This may require an emergency orthodontic visit to repair or replace brackets/wires.

Dislodged Bands

Sticky candies may accidentally pull off or dislodge orthodontic bands that are cemented around teeth. Bands will need to be secured back in place, which requires a special dental tool.

Loose or Lost Attachments

Some kinds of braces use small attachments that are glued to teeth. Chewy or hard candies could potentially loosen or pull off these attachments.

Food Impaction

Chunks or sticks of candy can easily become wedged into braces, especially around the brackets. This requires careful removal to avoid dislodging the wires.

Tooth Decay

Candies are packed with sugar and carbohydrates that plaque bacteria feed on. With braces, it’s harder to brush and floss away these bacteria. Trapped sugars greatly elevate your decay risk.

Gum Disease

Excess plaque and bacteria around braces can inflame your gums and lead to gingivitis or gum disease. These increase your risk of permanent gum and bone damage.

Damage to Dental Work

If you have crowns, veneers, implants, or other dental work, hard candies could potentially crack or damage these restorations. The cements holding them in place may also loosen.

Jaw Pain

Excessive chewing of hard candies can strain the jaw muscles and joints. This could worsen existing TMJ problems or pain.

Tips for Eating Candy with Braces Safely

If you do indulge in candy with braces, follow these tips to minimize risks:

Carefully check candy ingredients and avoid ones with nuts, seeds, whole fruit, coconut, etc.
Cut hard candies in small pieces and allow to dissolve slowly vs. biting or chewing.
Avoid chewing gum as it gets stuck and requires vigorous chewing.

Rinse your mouth with water after eating to wash away sugar and debris.
Brush and floss very thoroughly after eating candy to remove sticking food particles.
Schedule more frequent cleanings every 3-4 months while wearing braces.

Use an orthodontic toothbrush to clean braces better.
Carry small tools like a proxy brush to dislodge stuck foods.
See your orthodontist promptly if you have any damage from candy.

Being careful in your candy selections and having good oral hygiene can help minimize risks with braces. But your best bet is limiting candy and opting for healthier snacks like fruits and vegetables.

Examples of Safer Braces-Friendly Candies

Here are some examples of candies that tend to be safer for eating with braces:

Chocolate Bars or Bites

Plain chocolate or chocolate covered snacks tend to be fine for braces as they melt quickly in your mouth. Go for softer fillings like caramel or nut-free nougats. Some good options include:

Hershey’s bars – milk chocolate, special dark, mr. goodbar, krackel, etc.
Reese’s peanut butter cups or miniatures
M&M’s

Kit Kat bars
Snickers fun size or miniatures
Hershey’s kisses

Rolo candies
Chocolate covered raisins or dried cranberries
Junior Mints

Hard Candies (in moderation)

You need to be very cautious with hard candies, but ones that dissolve easily like Jolly Ranchers or Werther’s Originals tend to be lower risk. Allow them to dissolve vs. biting or crunching them. Never chew on hard candy canes.

Marshmallow or Gummy Candies

If you pick really soft, non-sticky versions these can work. For example, mini marshmallows or super soft fruit snack gummies. But you’ll need to be vigilant about brushing afterwards.

Candy Alternatives for Braces

If you’re looking for sweet snack options other than candy, consider these better choices:

Fresh fruits – bananas, berries, melons, etc.
Unsweetened applesauce or fruit cups
Yogurt with fresh fruit mixed in

Fruit smoothies or protein shakes
Frozen fruit popsicles
Raisins, craisins, or other dried fruits

Trail mix with chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit
Graham crackers or animal crackers
Low-sugar nutrition bars

Baked kale or veggie chips
Popcorn
Pretzels

Rice cakes or crackers

These options still satisfy a craving for something sweet but are much healthier for your teeth and braces.

Special Occasions and Holidays

Candy is abundant around holidays like Halloween, Easter, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. Here are some tips for handling the temptations of candy on special occasions:

Limit yourself to one or two small treats vs. unrestrained candy binging.
Avoid candies with nuts or sticky chews.
Carefully unwrap candies before eating – don’t rip with your teeth.

Go for mini or fun size candies instead of large packages.
Choose chocolate treats whenever possible.
Opt for candy alternatives like baked goods, chocolate pudding, or fruit snacks.

Give excess candy away or trade with non-braces friends.
Let candy dissolve slowly vs. constant chewing or crunching.
Brush diligently after eating candy treats.

The key is practicing self-control and moderation. Limit candy to small portions on special occasions only.

Halloween Candy Tips

To enjoy Halloween candy safely with braces:

Stick to unopened, packaged treats vs. homemade.

Avoid sticky, chewy candies like taffy or gummies.
Check if the candy has nuts – spit them out if needed.
Opt for chocolate over hard, crunchy candies.

Throw out unwrapped or suspicious looking candy.
Remove candy debris promptly with a proxy brush.
Have an extra cleaning appointment right after Halloween.

Trade excess candy hauls with friends/family.

Easter Candy Tips

To minimize braces risks from Easter basket goodies:

Avoid hard jelly beans, sour jellies, gumdrops.

Only eat chocolate eggs made with smooth, creamy fillings.
Cut apart large candy pieces instead of biting them.
Skip chewy marshmallow treats and taffies.

Choose softer jelly bean centers vs. harder outsides.
Rinse mouth after eating candy treats.
Brush very thoroughly to clean brace areas.

Christmas Candy Tips

Christmas candy poses many of the same risks but focus on these tips:

Only eat chocolate Santas or reindeer made with soft fillings.
Avoid hard holiday candies – break apart before eating.

Pass on candy canes – high risk for braces damage.
Avoid sticky, chewy nougat or caramel candies.
Check ingredient labels for nuts in chocolate treats.

Limit yourself to one or two Christmas candy treats.
Floss carefully after eating candy to dislodge debris.

Valentine’s Day Candy Tips

To enjoy Valentine’s Day candy more safely:

Avoid super hard conversation hearts – allow to dissolve.
Go for truffles, peanut butter cups or chocolate-dipped treats.
Carefully check caramels and creams for chewy textures.

Cut large candies into smaller bite sizes.
Avoid sour candy that can erode tooth enamel.
Skip sticky, chewy candies that get lodged in braces.

Rinse mouth thoroughly after eating sweets.

The key is always moderation – don’t overindulge just because candy is readily available. Follow your orthodontist’s recommendations.

Talk to Your Orthodontist

If you have any doubts about certain candies, check with your orthodontist for advice. Ask them:

Can I eat [specific candy]? Is it braces-friendly?
How much candy is safe to eat in one sitting?
Which candies do you recommend avoiding altogether?

What candies are lowest risk for my braces?
How should I alter my oral hygiene routine after eating candy?

Your orthodontist knows your specific dental situation best. Follow their recommended protocol for enjoying occasional candies without damaging your braces.

Conclusion

You need to be very selective when choosing candies to eat with braces. The basics rules are avoiding anything too hard, crunchy, chewy, sticky, or sour. Your safest bets are chocolates and softer candies that melt easily. Limit portions and follow with good oral hygiene. Check with your orthodontist for their take on candy dos and don’ts. Be smart with your choices to keep your braces intact.