A Parent’s Guide to Braces-Safe Halloween Candy

As Halloween quickly starts to creep up, your child may be excited about the season. They might be asking you to get their costume or do final touches before you both go trick-or-treating. You may see the sparkle in their eyes, twinkling at the sight of so much candy filling up their pail. However, if your loved one has braces, then you may want to dig through their stash before they dig in. Here are some sweets that are safe during their treatment, and which ones aren’t.

What Halloween Candies Are Safe for My Child with Braces?

When you and your child get home after a frightful night of going door-to-door, it might be best to go through their haul with them. That way, you can pick out the options that won’t lead to a broken wire or bracket, such as:

• Chocolate: Milk and white options are classic treats that are safe for braces. Just be sure that it’s plain or has no nuts, caramel, or toffee in it. Wafers, smooth peanut butter, and other easy-to-chew fillings are great!
• Soft Candies: Jell-O, cotton candy, marshmallows, and peppermint patties are some options that can come in many flavors that don’t pose much risk.
• Baked Goods: Whether you buy them at the store or make them yourself, soft-baked cookies and brownies are great options. Just be sure there are no nuts in them.

Which Ones Should My Child Avoid?

There might be multiple pieces of candy leftover after picking out the safe options. While your child may protest about giving it to them, here’s why these sweets aren’t orthodontic-friendly:

• Hard candies can lead to a broken bracket, wire, or chipped tooth if your loved one bites into them.
• Chewy and sticky treats can be difficult to munch through or can be hard to clean out of their smile.
• Popcorn and candy apples are especially tough and can cause damage.

While your child may be a bit upset that you’re taking their sweets, you can consider giving them screentime or privileges as compensation. That way, they are happy, and you can be relieved knowing their braces are safe. Even if you end up taking them for yourself, it’s important that you encourage good oral health habits this season.

The holidays are often filled with indulgence, so making sure your loved ones brush can help them avoid any dental problems. Remember what treats are safe for braces and which ones aren’t, that way you can avoid needing to rush to their dentist!

About the Practice

At Happy Teeth Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, you benefit from a skilled team of dentists who are dedicated to your child’s growing smile. We are here to help them get straighter teeth with braces that will set them up for a healthier bite for a lifetime. Although Halloween is a season of treats and sweets, our goal is to help your loved one avoid cavities. If you have any questions, then schedule an appointment for them or call our office at (267) 580-9657.