Eating Skittles with braces is possible, but there are some precautions you need to take. Braces can trap food particles, leading to plaque buildup, tooth decay, and stained wires. However, with proper oral hygiene and some adjustments to your candy-eating habits, you can still enjoy Skittles in moderation.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to common questions about eating Skittles with braces:
- Yes, you can eat Skittles with braces, but in moderation.
- Avoid sticky, chewy candies that can get stuck in braces.
- Brush and floss after eating to remove any particles trapped by braces.
- Rinse with water after eating to help wash away excess sugar.
- Be extra diligent with oral hygiene to prevent cavities and staining.
- Opt for softer Skittles or briefly soak them in water to reduce stickiness.
- Avoid eating Skittles every day to limit sugar exposure to your teeth.
Are Skittles Bad for Braces?
Skittles are not necessarily bad for braces, but they do pose some risks you should be aware of. Here are the main downsides of eating Skittles with braces:
- Sugar: Like all candies, Skittles are packed with sugar. The bacteria around your braces thrive on sugar and produce acids that attack your tooth enamel. This puts you at a higher risk of cavities and white spot lesions.
- Acid: Skittles contain citric acid, which can erode and weaken tooth enamel over time.
- Stickiness: The chewy texture of Skittles means they can easily get stuck in braces, especially around the brackets and wires. This can cause painful tugging.
- Plaque buildup: Braces create nooks and crannies that trap food particles. Sticky foods increase the likelihood of buildup that can lead to gum inflammation, cavities, and stained braces.
- Damage to braces: Hard or sticky candy like Skittles can sometimes bend, warp, or even break braces if you bite down too hard.
So in moderation, Skittles likely won’t cause any major problems with braces. But frequent or excessive consumption can negatively impact your oral health and braces.
What Are the Best Ways to Eat Skittles With Braces?
If you want to eat Skittles while wearing braces, here are some tips to do it safely:
- Rinse your mouth with water after eating to help wash away sugar and food particles.
- Brush and floss thoroughly after eating Skittles.
- Avoid chewing Skittles; let them dissolve in your mouth instead.
- Break Skittles into smaller pieces or briefly soak them in water to reduce stickiness before eating.
- Opt for softer Skittle varieties like Tropical or Wild Berry.
- Avoid sticky taffy-like Skittles such as Crazy Cores or Gummies.
- Remove elastics or rubber bands before eating, then replace them after.
- Use an orthodontic wax if you have any sharp braces that irritate your mouth.
Practicing good oral hygiene and minimizing chewing can help you safely satisfy a Skittles craving with braces!
Eating Skittles in Moderation
The key when eating any sweets with braces is moderation. While the occasional Skittles treat is unlikely to harm your braces, frequent or excessive consumption can put your oral health at risk.
Here are some tips for keeping your Skittles intake in check:
- Limit yourself to a small portion (10-15 Skittles) at a time.
- Eat Skittles no more than a few times per week.
- Pay attention to nutrition labels and choose mini or fun-size packs to control portions.
- Drink plenty of water to help counteract the sugar and acidity.
- Avoid eating Skittles multiple days in a row to give your mouth a break.
- Be mindful of mindless munching from a big bag throughout the day.
- Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash to strengthen enamel.
- If you have a lot of dental issues, consider avoiding Skittles completely until your braces come off.
It’s all about balance – enjoying the occasional treat while minimizing any harmful effects on your teeth and braces.
Are Certain Skittles Flavors Better or Worse for Braces?
Most Skittles flavors have a similar effect on braces in terms of stickiness and sugar content. However, some flavors may be more prone to sticking or staining than others.
Here is a breakdown of how the main Skittles flavors compare for braces:
| Skittles Flavor | Braces Impact |
|---|---|
| Original Fruity Flavors | Medium stickiness, medium staining risk |
| Wild Berry, Tropical | Low stickiness, low staining risk |
| Sour | High acidity risks enamel erosion |
| Crazy Cores (chewy center) | High stickiness risk |
| Brightside (white coating) | Higher staining risk |
In general, the softer fruit flavors like Wild Berry and Tropical tend to be lower risk. Avoid any varieties with chewy centers, as they are more likely to adhere to braces. Sour flavors pose more of an acidity risk, while opaque white coatings can gather more noticeable stains over time.
Oral Hygiene with Braces
Practicing impeccable oral hygiene is key to keeping your smile healthy and your braces stain-free when eating foods like Skittles. Here are some tips for optimal hygiene with braces:
- Brush after meals – Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Angling your brush bristles under wires can help dislodge particles.
- Floss daily – Use floss threaders to get up under the wires.
- Rinse after sugary foods – Swish vigorously with water.
- Avoid plaque buildup – Use an antibacterial rinse and interdental cleaners.
- Visit your orthodontist – Get frequent adjustments and cleanings.
- Remove food with orthodontic tools – Use pul tools or proxy brushes to dislodge stuck foods.
It takes extra work to keep braces clean. But with diligent hygiene habits, you can continue to enjoy the occasional sweet treat.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
While Skittles can be eaten in moderation with braces, there are some foods that should be avoided entirely until your braces come off. These foods have a high risk of damaging braces or getting stuck:
- Hard foods – ice, nuts, crunchy granola, hard pretzels
- Chewy foods – caramel, gum, licorice, Skittles Crazy Cores
- Crunchy foods – popcorn, chips, hard candies
- Sticky foods – caramel, gumdrops, gummy bears
- Hard, sugary foods – lollipops, jawbreakers, mints
Avoid biting into foods like apples, corn on the cob, or pizza crust. Cut them up first instead. And refrain from chewing on pens, pencils or fingernails, which can damage braces.
Healthier Candy Alternatives
If you have a sweet tooth, try these healthier candy alternatives that are lower in sugar and less likely to damage braces:
- Sugar-free gum – chew gently and throw away when flavor fades
- Chocolate with nuts – choose slowly melting kinds like peanut butter cups
- Popsicles or ice cream – let melt, don’t bite or chew
- Yogurt-covered fruit snacks
- Ice chips or mint leaves – for crunchy oral stimulation
- Sugar-free hard candies – slowly dissolve, don’t bite or chew
Look for treats that are less sticky and coated in chocolate or yogurt rather than gooey, chewy candies. And always maintain your oral hygiene routine after consuming any sweets.
When to Wait Until After Braces
If you have chronic issues with your braces like loose wires or breakage, or if you have a lot of dental cavities or enamel issues, it may be best to avoid Skittles and other hard candies completely until after your braces are removed.
The final months before getting your braces taken off are a critical time when your orthodontist will be evaluating whether your teeth are stable and healthy enough for removal. During this time, be extra vigilant about oral hygiene and avoiding foods that could jeopardize your progress.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, eating Skittles with braces comes down to common sense. Enjoy them occasionally as a special treat, stick to softer varieties, practice good oral hygiene, and avoid overdoing it on the sugar and stickiness. A responsible enjoyment of candy now can help ensure a beautiful, healthy smile for years to come.