Yes, moms and dads, it’s time to put out the jack-o’ lanterns and spooky decorations and get the kid’s Halloween costumes ready. It also means loads of candy. If a child with braces eats the wrong kind, it can cause trouble with their braces. You may be wondering which is the best Halloween Candy for braces. Here is what we suggest:
Halloween Treats to Avoid if Your Child Has Braces
Kids or teens with braces should steer clear of some candies on Halloween. Many sweets can cause damage to braces, so it’s wise to avoid those kinds while celebrating this fun holiday. Here is a list of treats to stay away from:
- Hard candies
- Chewy candies
- Nuts
- Caramel
- Licorice
- Jellybeans
- Taffy
- Bubblegum
- Hard pretzels
- Popcorn
Some of these treats may seem harmless, but all of them have the potential to bend or break your child’s braces. So, it’s best to avoid eating them altogether.
Braces-Friendly Halloween Treats
Children with braces may feel like they can’t enjoy any treats on Halloween. However, there are plenty of braces-safe treat options for them to choose from, including the following:
- Chocolate bars
- Peanut butter cups
- Reese’s Pieces
- Plain or Peanut Butter M&Ms (not Peanut M&Ms)
- 3 Musketeers
- Kit Kats
- Ritz Bits mini crackers
- Cheez-It mini crackers
- Cheese puffs
- Gelatin treats
- Marshmallows
- Ice cream
- Soft Cookies (without nuts)
- Root beer floats
- Apple cider
Tip: Don’t force a child to give up their hard-won candy. Better to make tradeoffs of the “bad” candy for either more suitable candy, toys, or money they can use to buy something they want.
And don’t forget to have them floss and brush after their treats! If you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment, please contact us at Orthodontic Specialists.
Happy Haunting!
Dr. Jeff Erickson
Orthodontic Specialists
