According to BracesReview.com, people who wear braces not only have to be careful about keeping their teeth clean, they also have to avoid the many foods that can damage braces. Avoiding these foods can save time, money and unwanted trips to the orthodontist.
Warnings
BracesReview.com says that anything "sticky, hard, chewy or crunchy" is not advisable for people with braces. This includes jelly beans, corn on the cob, gum drops, carrots, all types of gum, taffy, nuts, chips and popcorn. Ice cream with candy mix-ins such as caramel chocolate bars is also off-limits. Biting into an apple can cause problems, but generally eating sliced and peeled apple is OK. Chewing ice is also not advisable if you have braces.
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Significance
Brackets in braces can be broken and wires can be bent or pulled out of place by eating Halloween candy, says BracesReview.com. This means more unwanted trips to the orthodontist. Even if the braces are not broken, sugar gets behind the wires, where it is hard to remove and can cause tooth decay.
Expert Insight
The Academy of General Dentistry recommends that people with braces be extra diligent about brushing, flossing and rinsing because sugar and plaque can combine to make acid. This acid causes decalcification, which causes white spots on teeth.
Alternatives
Avoiding candy altogether is often not a reasonable expectation. It's far better to educate kids about what candy they can eat on special occasions. BracesReview.com recommends soft chocolates that melt in the mouth, like peanut butter cups and candy bars that do not have caramel or nuts. Apples can be peeled, sliced thin and dipped in chocolate for a special treat.
Holidays
Holidays like Halloween and Christmas are particularly problematic because eating candy is so much of a cultural norm. The American Association of Orthodontists recognizes this and in 2009 started a Halloween candy buyback program in which gift certificates, movie tickets and cash were given in exchange for Halloween candy. The association anticipates receiving almost 16 tons of candy in 2010. Places like Amherst Orthodontics have committed to paying $1 for every pound of candy they receive.
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