Sticky candies, unfortunately, are totally off-limits for braces wearers.
Hard lollies are okay, but there's a catch: no chewing allowed. If you have the patience to be able to suck on it until it dissolves, a hard lollie is safe. However, just because they're safe for braces doesn't make them great for your teeth, so we still recommend sticking to the other options.
Candies like Starbursts, caramels, Tootsie Rolls, gummies, or toffees are a big NO for braces. Hard candies like Jolly Ranchers or lollipops are OKAY if you make sure you don't bite into or chew on them.
Caramel Apples – not exactly a candy, but this Halloween treat has been known to leave braces in disrepair after consumption. Jolly Ranchers and suckers. Jelly Candies – Dots, Peach Rings, Swedish Fish, Sour Worms, Gummy Bears.
Sour Candy (Sour Patch Kids & Warheads)
The acidic level in these treats are very high which isn't recommended for children who wear braces. High acidity is detrimental because it can wear down the enamel of your teeth, increasing your likelihood of getting a cavity.
DON'T: Hard candies.
They can break your braces, too. Watch out for jolly ranchers, butterscotch candies (which will also be sticky), Lifesavers, Nerds and even Tic Tacs. These candies all have a reputation for popping off brackets, bending wires and even chipping teeth. Just say no!
Skittles® Runts®, Sweettarts, and M&Ms® should be avoided if you have braces, as the shell could get wedged under your wire or pop off your brackets. This can require you to go and get orthodontic treatment rather than just brush your teeth.
Anything with nougat or caramel will be incredibly hard to eat and will cause problems with braces. Babe Ruth bars, Charleston Chews, Butterfingers, Smarties, Tootsie Rolls, and other chewy candies are a bad idea. Also avoid anything with a hard shell, such as Skittles and M&Ms.
Any type of hard and crunchy food is something you will want to avoid while wearing your braces. Chips like Fritos, Doritos, Tostitos, Cheetos, Takis, as well as pretzels and other hard breads are foods that can not only damage your wire, but also cause your brackets to break.
Make sure that you and your partner keep your tongues away from your braces. Like lips, the tongue can be cut or caught by your dental appliance, and that will definitely ruin the moment. Dental wax can make your braces more comfortable, and can make kissing more enjoyable.
Here are some things to expect and some tips to help ease the adjustment period: Braces will feel strange on your lips and tongue. It's normal to be a little fidgety, moving your lips over the braces or touching the braces with your tongue.
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.
Soft cookies (without nuts) are good, but avoid hard cookies like Oreos and Chips Ahoy unless you're a milk dunker. Ice cream is fine, but skip the nuts and hard candy toppings. Milkshakes are good also, as are jello, pudding, and soft cake.
Skittles and M Ms: These candies are too hard to be chewing when you have braces. You'll likely end up with broken brackets and damaged wires if you eat too many. It's best to stay away. Sour Patch Kids and Mike Ike's: These candies are very sticky and chewy, making them one of the worst candies to eat with braces.
Just remember, take small bites. You can still eat things like ice cream, brownies, cookies, cake, French fries, burger, hot dogs, and pizza (just avoid the crust), no problem.
Be careful what you eat with braces
It's okay to eat as soon as you leave the office, but we highly suggest only eating softer foods the first few days while your mouth and teeth adjust. Stick to pasta, seedless bread, soft veggies, pudding, soup, yogurt, etc.
Soft crackers like goldfish are another great option. If you still want enjoy dips, use pita bread instead of hard chips.
Yes, chocolate is perfectly fine for braces as long as you're eating the right kind. Any type of soft chocolate, from a chocolate bar to a peanut butter cup is going to be perfectly okay for you to eat.
When choosing peanut butter, opt for the creamy style rather than the chunky one since it contains nuts that may be too hard to chew and can become lodged in the braces. If you prefer whole wheat bread, avoid the kind with nuts and crunchy little kernels of grain.
During orthodontic treatment, your teeth are actively being moved to new positions. Changing the locations of the teeth can affect blood flow. This may trigger an inflammatory response, leading to the release of substances that trigger your pain response. So your teeth feel sore when they're on the move.
Can you eat pizza with braces? Yes! You certainly can, as long as you avoid crusts and toppings that are too tough and hard, sticky, or stringy, and eat in small, careful bites. Of course, it's also essential to clean your teeth and the metal wires after eating for optimum dental health.
Biting into an apple, granola bars, nuts, carrots, corn-on-the-cob, chunky peanut butter, well-cooked steak or beef jerky, and chewy and/or toasted bagels can break brackets. Avoid these.