As Halloween draws near, the temptation of all the delicious candy becomes too hard to resist. It’s the perfect time to indulge in some spooky treats and satisfy our sweet tooth. However, it’s important to remember to balance the fun of the season with taking care of our dental health.
Taking a Halloween break from otherwise healthy dental habits won’t harm your teeth, provided you’re ready to return to your dental diligence afterwards and maintain those biannual dentist appointments. Regular checkups and cleanings, at least every six months, are the cornerstone of a healthy smile. However, if you’re among the ranks of those sporting dental braces, Halloween can be a bit trickier to navigate. Dental braces demand extra care and consideration, especially regarding the candy aisle. Certain candies have earned a notorious reputation for wreaking havoc on orthodontics, potentially undoing your progress in achieving a straight and beautiful smile. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the treacherous terrain of Halloween candy and discover which treats pose the greatest threat to your dental work. So, before you embark on your Halloween candy binge, let’s explore how to protect your braces and preserve your dental health. Here are the top 5 worst candies to eat with braces:
LaffyTaffy® Will Wreck Your Braces
If you have braces, it’s important to be mindful of the types of candy you consume. It’s advisable to avoid anything that is chewy, sticky, or gummy, such as Laffy Taffy®. This particular candy has a notorious reputation for adhering to braces and potentially causing brackets to become dislodged. To maintain the integrity of your braces, it’s best to refrain from indulging in these kinds of candies altogether.
Bubble Gum and Blow Pops®
What’s worse for your teeth than crunching on a lollipop? Following it up with some good old-fashioned chewing gum. Some experts say that chewing sugar-free gum has the potential to keep your teeth healthier. Sugar-free gum can also alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by braces. However, other orthodontists believe chewing gum with braces can bend the wire and lengthen the time you’ll need to wear your braces. All orthodontists agree that bubblegum should definitely be avoided if you have braces. The gum can get stuck on your brackets, and the sugar can sneak into the gaps between your teeth and wires, leaving your mouth vulnerable to cavities and gum disease.
Hard Candy
Eating hard candy with braces can be a bit tricky as it may cause damage if you decide to crunch down on it. However, the temptation to do so can be irresistible. Jolly Ranchers®, Dumdums®, Life Savers®, and jawbreakers are some treats that can be tough on braces if you give in to the urge to crunch down on them.
Blow Pops® are considered the most problematic candy for braces. Their hard outer shell poses a dual threat as it can entice you to bite down and then introduce the added challenge of dealing with sticky bubble gum.
Even candies with a soft centre encased in a hard shell can be problematic. Skittles®, Runts®, Sweettarts, and M&Ms® fall into this category and should be approached with caution if you have braces. The shells have been known to wedge underwires or even dislodge brackets, which may require additional orthodontic treatment instead of just brushing.
If you are wondering whether you can eat Skittles with braces, it is best to be cautious and choose braces-friendly alternatives.
Gummy Candy
It’s important to be cautious when consuming gummy candies like gummy bears, gummy worms, Sour Patch Kids®, and Pulparinroks® while wearing braces. Although they may seem like an easy and less sticky treat compared to caramel or gum, they can still potentially cause damage to your braces. When these gummy candies get stuck under your brackets, it can result in loose or broken brackets and even cavities. Additionally, the sugar in these types of candies can be similar to gum and can get stuck in areas that are hard to brush, leading to tooth decay. So, it’s best to limit your intake of gummy candies and maintain a good oral hygiene routine to keep your teeth and braces healthy.
Caramel Popcorn Will Destroy Your Braces
Popcorn is easier to chew than most of the candy on this list; however, it is also one of the worst treats for someone with braces. Popcorn kernels can get stuck between your teeth and the wires of your braces, leading to severe tooth decay and possibly damaged wires and brackets. If you thought getting kernels out from between your teeth without braces was tough, imagine how hard it would be with brackets and wires blocking those hard-to-floss areas.
Get the Orthodontics Treatment in Johns Creek, GA.
If you are experiencing discomfort around your braces due to consuming Halloween candy, we highly recommend seeking relief from our trusted orthodontist in Johns Creek. Don’t let the pain persist; let us help you find comfort and get back to enjoying your holiday season. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any inquiries about orthodontic and braces care. Our team is always here to help you.
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