Don’t Feel Left Out! Enjoy These Braces-Friendly Halloween Sweets

Just because you have braces doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to enjoy all of your favorite Halloween sweets. Although the metal brackets and wires helping to straighten your smile can break or become dislodged by eating certain treats, like taffy and hard candies, undergoing treatment doesn’t automatically mean you won’t be able to enjoy them at all. Read on to learn what Halloween candy you can still eat with your braces and how you can protect them.

The Best Candy to Eat with Braces

Even though it may not seem like it, there are actually a lot of different types of candies out there that are completely safe for you to eat. The best way to assess your Halloween haul is to split it up into two piles, one with everything you can eat, and the other with candies to trade with your friends! Here are some to keep in your “Good to eat” pile:

• Reese’s Pieces
• 3 Musketeers
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
• Soft Cookies Without Nuts
• Crumbly Snacks, like Ritz Bits
• Chocolate Bars Without Nuts
• Any Type of M&M Without Nuts or Hard Centers

If you’re eating a candy that’s a little chewier than typical, it’s important that you take your time chewing it to avoid accidentally damaging a bracket or your archwire. Also, in order to avoid developing a cavity during your treatment, be sure to thoroughly brush and floss after you eat any of your Halloween candy.

Halloween Treats You’ll Want to Avoid

Although there are more sweets you’ll need to avoid eating, being mindful of your braces can help you dodge some serious problems throughout your treatment. Here are the candies you’ll want to put in your “Trade” pile:

• Taffy
• Tootsie Rolls, Milk Duds, and Other Chewy Candies
• Caramels
• Any Chocolate with Nuts, Like Snickers
• Popcorn Balls & Popcorn
• Chewing Gum
• Nerds, Jolly Ranchers, and Hard Candies
• Gummies like Swedish Fish and Dots
• Chips
• Suckers
• Candy Corn
• Jelly Beans

These chewy, crunchy, and long-lasting candies can lead to cavities or a popped bracket, making it likely that you’ll need to take time out of your week for a visit to your orthodontist. They can also set back your treatment time, meaning you’ll need to wear your braces for even longer.  

What You Should Do if You Break or Damage Your Braces

If you accidentally eat something that dislodges a bracket or archwire, it’s crucial to tell your parent so they can call your orthodontist as soon as possible. That way, they can quickly repair the damage so you can carry on with your treatment.

Although it may feel like a hassle to have to dig through all of your Halloween candy to find treats you can actually eat, the effort will be well worth it when you’re able to avoid unexpected damage to your braces!

About the Authors

Drs. Amy and Dale are knowledgeable and friendly orthodontists at Chicago Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. They offer several collective years of experience helping children, teens, and adults address orthodontic issues that range from mild to more complex in severity. They do everything they can to make the experience of having braces as fun and easy as possible. For questions or to schedule an appointment with our orthodontists, visit our website or call 312-766-0995.