The Best & Worst Valentine’s Candy for Braces

It’s the sweetest time of year again, and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you may be wondering what types of treats are safe to enjoy with your braces. Thankfully, while you may have to put some seasonal favorites on hold during your orthodontic treatment, there are still plenty of options to enjoy even with braces. Here’s a list of the best and worst candy to love this holiday!

Sweet Surrender

While nobody loves dietary restrictions, sometimes during orthodontic treatment you must put a hold on certain treats to keep your equipment safe. Thus, be sure to avoid these sweet snacks if you wear braces:

• Conversation hearts
• Lollipops
• Toffee
• Caramels
• Gummies
• Taffy
• Nerds

Each of these options may taste delicious, but unfortunately, they can easily cause you to pop a bracket off or make cleaning your braces nearly impossible even if they don’t.

Gimme Some Sugar

The good news is that even though you should avoid the above candies, there are still plenty of sweets that are safe to enjoy with braces, including:

• Peanut butter cups
• Plain chocolate of any color
• Boxes of truffles (but avoid anything with nuts, caramel, or crunchy)

Caring for Your Braces After Candy Consumption

It is important to remember that you need to clean your teeth well after consuming any type of candy or sweet treat. Brush well and floss if necessary to remove any debris left behind. This will not only keep your wires and brackets looking and feeling clean but also keep your teeth and gums safe from plaque bacteria that could cause cavities and gum disease.

About Dr. Simon

Dr. Patricia Simon loves helping her patients love their smiles! That’s because orthodontic treatment can transform more than just your appearance. It can also improve your self-confidence and your oral health. What’s not to love about that? If you’re ready to learn more about how you can create the smile of your dreams with the help of braces, schedule a consultation with Lakewood Orthodontics by visiting our website or calling us today at 214-826-9000.