Let’s face it: we all have something we just cherish and cannot stop eating! Be it a greasy burger, a sweet, fluffy cake, candy, or an excellent cup of ice cream, we admit to having a sweet tooth, literally! But the nagging worry is often about how these sweet addictions can affect your tooth’s health, particularly if you spot braces. You often wonder: What candy can you eat with braces? If you should even eat candy, and how to take care of your braces.
The Sweet Obsession
You have just gotten braces, and Halloween is nearing. The promise of candy is alive and kicking! Even if you do not trick or treat, knowing what candy to eat with braces and the overall care for braces is crucial for upholding and maintaining optimal dental health.
Despite the bad rep candy gets when it comes to tooth health, you can eat candy with braces! But there is a caveat, as with most things in life. Consequently, there are certain kinds of candy that we discourage to preserve the integrity of the braces, and there are some that are harmless.
Whatever your guilty pleasure, we have got you covered. Therefore, to truly know what candy you can eat with braces, we have to first know all about the procedure.
Braces: A Quick Dive
Braces are a treatment procedure for crooked, misaligned teeth and to restructure the jawline and bite.
Generally, there are several types of braces, including metal, ceramic, lingual, and self-mitigating. Choosing a specific type of brace depends on your dental needs. A dentist or orthodontist decides the best option for you after a consultation.
A metal/traditional brace is the most durable and involves brackets that attach to the front of the teeth and bands around the tooth. Alternatively, a ceramic brace corrects just as well as the metal brace, only that it is more susceptible to breakage. The major difference is that the ceramic matches the colour of your teeth, therefore making it more aesthetic.
Now that you know the basics about braces, it is time to answer the question: What candy can you eat with braces?
Candy and Braces: What to Do?
As we previously mentioned, some candy can set back orthodontic treatment. Particularly if you have ceramic braces and other options installed. We know what you are thinking. No! It does not mean people with metal braces can eat all types of candy as well.
Generally, we advise that you avoid all types of hard candy and other candy that can affect the integrity of the orthodontic treatment. Types of candy to avoid are:
- Caramels
- Taffy
- Hard candy
- Chewy candy
- Jellybeans
- Licorice
- Bubble gum
- Lollipops
- Sour candy
- Popcorn
- Nuts
You would not want to take a sweet bite into your favourite candy and hear a crack! Your braces have broken, or worse, you’ve chipped a tooth.
On the other hand, here is a list of candy you can safely eat with braces:
- Marshmallows
- Cookies
- Chocolate drops (without nuts or non-caramelized)
- Kit Kats, etc.
Ideally, you should opt for soft candy that can easily melt in the mouth and does not require extensive grinding or chewing. This candy would most likely not affect the integrity of your braces.
General Care for Braces
Knowing what candy you can eat with braces is not enough because caring for the braces goes beyond that. Even though you can eat certain candy, do so in moderation. Just as with any other tooth, too much candy can leave deposits that bacteria can act on. Consequently, you may develop plaques, tartar buildup, decay, and, worse, tooth loss.
Also, remember to maintain good dental hygiene and practices. Regularly brushing and flossing your teeth is important, even more so when you have braces. This will help remove food particles and debris lodged firmly in the braces and preserve the integrity of the treatment.
Additionally, regular checkups and scheduled cleanings are customary for braces. The dentist or orthodontist gets to examine the braces, clean the tooth thoroughly, and check the progress of the corrective treatment.
Oasispark Dental: Quality Braces and Aftercare Treatment
At Oasispark Dental, we provide quality dental braces and aftercare treatment. With a dedicated and skilled team of dentists experienced in orthodontic care, you can expect personalized and excellent care for you and your braces.
We provide suitable tips on how to preserve and sustain the integrity and longevity of your braces. We also address concerns and questions, like what candy you can eat with braces.
Prioritizing your comfort and oral well-being, we provide our services in a comfortable and welcoming environment for all ages. We also designed our scheduling strategy to be easy and stress-free for you.
Let Us Preserve Your Sweet Tooth
Consult us today to address any concerns you might have with braces and other orthodontic treatments. Our Newmarket dentist will provide insight into the procedure and aftercare options, including knowing what candy you can eat with braces. Let us help you enjoy life’s sweetest treats!
