Despite the harm we all know it can do to our dental health, everyone loves candy. But when you or your teenager gets braces, you may worry that candy will cause even more problems. Dr. Steven Harrison and his team are well-versed in what types of candy are okay to eat (in moderation!) and which ones you should strictly avoid. Here we discuss those candies and give some general recommendations from Dr. Steven Harrison.
Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the candies that is perfectly fine to eat in moderation when you have braces. Be careful when eating large pieces of chocolate, however, as they can be harder and may damage your or your teen’s braces. As long as the chocolate is soft and a small size you should be a-okay! As with any sweet, make sure to brush your teeth shortly after eating to prevent tooth decay.
Related Post: General Dentistry: Best Diet For Your Oral Health (Part I)
Hard Candies
Hard candies can be either good or bad, depending on how they are eaten. Biting down on hard candy can do major damage to the braces or the teeth. Dr. Steven Harrison recommends that if you are going to eat hard candy to suck it until it is gone. Things like candy suckers or small pieces of candy can be fine, as long as you keep that rule in mind.
Sticky Candies
Sticky candies like fruit chews, toffee or caramel, and jelly beans are totally off-limits for those wearing braces. Not only can these candies stick to your braces and become difficult to clean off, but they can actually rip brackets off of your teeth or distort your wires, preventing them from working effectively. Dr. Steven Harrison recommends you simply wait until you have your braces removed before trying to eat any sticky candy.
Related Post: General Dentistry: Best Diet For Your Oral Health (Part II)
Popcorn
Many people who wear braces believe that popcorn is fine to eat. After all, it is light and fluffy! However, popcorn is an insidious enemy to anyone with braces. The kernels can easily get stuck between your teeth and the braces, causing discomfort and, possibly, damage. Those kernels are surprisingly hard and can damage to your braces or brackets simply by biting down on them.
Related Post: Dr. Harrison: Can I Eat Popcorn With My Braces?
Contact Dr. Steven Harrison for any Orthodontic Questions
If you already have braces or you are considering them, please contact Dr. Steven Harrison and the orthodontic department for any questions regarding proper eating habits, or any other questions regarding your orthodontic work. Or, get in touch with Parkcrest Dental Group if you are in need of dental work in the greater Springfield, MO area.
