What Candy Can You Eat With Braces: A Quick Guide

Wondering what candy you can eat with braces? Check out this quick guide to enjoy sweets safely without damaging your braces.

I remember the day I got my braces so clearly. My orthodontist handed me this huge list of foods I couldn’t eat, and candy was right at the top. I was so bummed. I have a major sweet tooth, so the idea of skipping my favorite treats for two whole years felt like torture.

But here’s the good news, you don’t actually have to give up candy completely. You just have to be smart about it. Over time, I learned how to pick candies that wouldn’t destroy my braces, affect my dental crown appearance, or send me running back to my orthodontist. Now, I’m here to share everything I’ve learned with you.

If you have braces and you’re wondering which candies are safe and which ones could cause trouble, this guide is for you.

Let’s dive in.

Why Some Candies Are a Braces Nightmare

Before we get into the candies you can eat, let’s talk about the ones you should avoid. Braces are pretty delicate, and eating the wrong candy could break or bend the brackets and wires.

The Three Biggest Candy Offenders:

1. Hard Candies: Avoid biting into hard candies like Jolly Ranchers or lollipops, they can easily break a bracket. Even just sucking on them isn’t ideal since the sugar sticks to your teeth and can cause cavities.
2. Sticky Candies: Sticky treats like caramel, taffy, and gummy bears are a no-go. They get stuck in your braces and are nearly impossible to clean out, which isn’t fun for you or your orthodontist.
3. Chewy Candies: Chewy candies, like Starbursts or Tootsie Rolls, can tug on your brackets and wires, loosening them and causing trouble.

I learned this the hard way. One Halloween, I thought, “What’s the harm in one caramel?” The next day, my bracket was barely hanging on. Trust me, don’t make the same mistake.

What You Can Eat: The Best Braces-Safe Candies

Good news! You don’t have to give up all candy. There are plenty of tasty treats that are safe for your braces. Here are some options you can enjoy without worry:

1. Soft Chocolates

Chocolate is the perfect treat when you have braces because it melts in your mouth, so you don’t have to chew much.

• Safe Options: Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s Cups, or plain milk chocolate bars.
• What to Skip: Anything with nuts, caramel, or toffee, like Snickers, Twix, or Almond Joy.

When I had braces, I loved having a piece of dark chocolate after dinner. It hit the spot without sticking to my braces or causing any trouble.

2. Marshmallows

Marshmallows are great for anyone with braces, soft, fluffy, and super easy to eat. They don’t get stuck in the brackets or wires, which is always a plus.

• Best Choices: Stick to plain marshmallows or Peeps.
• What to Avoid: Skip anything with sticky caramel or crunchy toppings that could mess with your braces.

On cold nights, I love making a cup of hot chocolate and tossing in some mini marshmallows. It’s a sweet treat that’s totally braces-friendly.

3. Peanut Butter Cups

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were a lifesaver when I had braces. The peanut butter is soft, and the chocolate melts easily, making them one of the safest candies you can enjoy.

• Best Choices: Reese’s, Justin’s Organic Peanut Butter Cups
• What to Avoid: Peanut butter candies with crunchy bits or caramel layers

4. Pudding and Gelatin Desserts

Okay, so they’re not technically candy, but if you’re craving something sweet, pudding and Jell-O can hit the spot. They’re smooth, easy to eat, and completely braces-friendly.

• Best Choices: Chocolate pudding, vanilla pudding, fruit-flavored Jell-O
• What to Avoid: Anything with chunks of fruit or crunchy toppings

5. Soft Fruit Chews (In Moderation)

Some fruit-flavored chews can be safe if they’re soft enough. But be careful, anything too sticky can still be a problem.

• Best Choices: Starburst Minis (softer and less sticky), Skittles Gummies
• What to Avoid: Regular Starbursts, Now and Laters, and any ultra-chewy fruit snacks

How to Indulge Without Damaging Your Braces

Even if you stick to braces-safe candy, you still need to be mindful of how you eat it. Here are some smart strategies:

1. Cut Candy Into Smaller Pieces

Instead of biting into a chocolate bar, break it into small pieces and let it melt in your mouth. This reduces the risk of biting down too hard and damaging your braces.

2. Always Brush and Floss After Eating Candy

Sugar can get trapped in your braces, making you more prone to cavities. If you can’t brush right away, at least rinse your mouth with water.

3. Stay Hydrated

Drinking water while eating candy helps wash away sugar and prevents it from lingering on your teeth. This simple habit can make a big difference in your oral health.

4. Use Orthodontist-Approved Tools

Flossing with braces can be a hassle, but using a water flosser or floss threader makes it easier to remove any stuck sugar or candy particles.

The Personal Journey: Finding the Sweet Spot

At first, having braces felt like a constant battle between my love for candy and the rules I had to follow. But over time, I realized something: I didn’t have to give up sweets entirely, I just had to make better choices.

I started experimenting with different candies, figuring out which ones worked for me. I swapped out sticky caramel for smooth chocolate, and instead of chewing on hard candies, I let them dissolve slowly. It wasn’t the same as before, but it was still satisfying.

And the best part? I made it through my entire braces journey without a single broken bracket after that first caramel mistake.

Key Takings

• Avoid hard, sticky, and chewy candies when you have braces.
• Soft chocolates, marshmallows, peanut butter cups, pudding and gelatin desserts, and soft fruit chews are safe options.
• Cut candy into smaller pieces, brush and floss after eating sweets, stay hydrated, and use orthodontist-approved tools to maintain good oral hygiene with braces.
• Don’t give up on your sweet tooth entirely, experiment with different candies to find what works for you.

Useful Articles:

1. The Complete Food Guide for Braces: A comprehensive guide on foods to avoid and braces-friendly options to maintain a healthy smile during orthodontic treatment.
2. How to Care for Your Braces: Detailed tips on oral hygiene, foods to avoid, and maintaining your braces for a successful treatment journey.
3. Sugars and Tooth Decay: Explains the impact of sugar on dental health, including how it contributes to tooth decay and ways to minimize risks.
4. What Can I Eat with Braces? A Comprehensive Guide: Offers practical advice on braces-friendly foods and tips for adjusting to dietary changes during orthodontic treatment.