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What Can I Eat With Braces on Halloween?

By October 26, 2019June 13th, 2022Uncategorized

What Can I Eat With Braces on Halloween?

Can you believe that Halloween is only a week away? At Davis Orthodontics, the spookiest season is one of our favorite times of the year. After all, who doesn’t love to play dress up and chow down on all the yummiest treats? We sure do — and so do the patients at our Simpsonville and Greer orthodontic practice.

That said, it’s no secret that Halloween candy isn’t exactly good for your teeth. Candies and chocolates are full of sugar that can cause cavities, so it’s important to learn what to eat with braces, choose your treats wisely, and always brush your teeth after eating. And if you have braces, there are a few extra rules to follow when it comes to Halloween candy. You can absolutely still eat candy on Halloween with braces, but there are certain treats you should avoid until you get your braces off.

Dr. Buddy Davis wants to set you up for success this Halloween. Before you start trick-or-treating, read this handy guide to help you understand which candies are safe for braces so you can make smart choices this Halloween.

Foods to Avoid with Braces

First things first, let’s start with a refresher on braces-friendly foods. In general, you’ll want to avoid anything that could damage your braces. That means that anything hard, crunchy, sticky or chewy, or any foods you have to bite into, are a no-go during braces treatment. That’s because these foods can get stuck in your braces — or worse, break your brackets — and they can make it harder to clean your teeth properly. Here’s a list of common foods to avoid with braces:

  • Bagels
  • Licorice
  • Nuts
  • Hard candies
  • Caramel
  • Popcorn
  • Chips
  • Chewing gum
  • Foods you bite into, like whole raw apples or carrots and corn on the cob

That might make it sound like there are a lot of things you’ll have to miss out on this Halloween, but there are still so many delicious treats you can enjoy. Some of our favorite candies are totally safe for braces. Read on to find out which ones.

Braces-Friendly Halloween Candy

Now that you’re an expert on foods to avoid with braces, let’s apply that knowledge to Halloween candy. Just like you should say no to hard, crunchy, sticky and chewy foods, you should do the same with candies. Here are some Halloween faves to skip until you’re braces-free:

  • Chewy candies like Starbursts
  • Hard candies like Jolly Ranchers
  • Sticky candies like caramel
  • Crunchy candies like chocolates that contain nuts

Okay, now let’s get to the good stuff! Fortunately, the most braces-friendly Halloween candies also happen to be the best. Chocolates, cookies, ice cream — and did somebody say Reese’s? These are some of the Halloween candies that are safe for braces:

  • Chocolate: Soft milk or white chocolate is 100% safe to eat with braces, as long as there’s no sneaky caramel, toffee or nuts hiding inside. Stick to treats like Hershey’s kisses or even Kit Kat bars. Avoid dark chocolate, though. While it’s a healthier option overall, it can be too hard which risks damage to your hardware.
  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Yep, everyone’s favorite Halloween treat is also braces-friendly! Reese’s cups are soft and don’t contain anything that could get stuck in your braces, so feel free to enjoy to your heart’s content.
  • Cookies: Baked goods are generally safe for braces, but always be sure to triple check anything that’s homemade. And of course, avoid anything with nuts.
  • Ice cream: While you likely won’t get any ice cream in your treat bag, it’s worth noting as a braces-friendly treat to enjoy this Halloween. Stick to flavors without caramel ribbons or nuts and you’ll be good to go.
  • Apples: Fruit might not be a kid-approved Halloween candy, but apples can be dressed up to become a tasty treat. You won’t be able to bite into a candy apple with braces, but dipping apple slices in melted chocolate or caramel is a-okay. Apples are also a much healthier Halloween candy alternative.

Tips for a Braces-Friendly Halloween

There’s more to a braces-friendly Halloween than knowing which candies are safe to eat and which candies to avoid. It’s important for everyone to take extra good care of their teeth at this time of year — but it’s extra important for anyone with braces. Sugary treats can get trapped behind your braces which can cause cavities over time. To make sure you get the most of your Halloween festivities, follow these simple tips:

Be smart about which candies you eat. Remember, nothing hard, crunchy, sticky or chewy!
Brush your teeth extra carefully after you enjoy your goodies — every time, no exceptions.
Floss. All that sugar loves to hide in between your teeth in the super hard to reach places (which are even harder to reach with braces). During braces treatment, it’s more important than ever to floss regularly, especially after eating Halloween candy.

While sugar obviously isn’t your teeth’s best friend, there’s nothing wrong with getting into the festivities and indulging in some special Halloween treats. Yes, even if you have braces! If you’re still unsure about what to eat this Halloween with braces, call your Greer and Simpsonville orthodontist to chat with an expert. We’re always happy to help.