Candy Month

We’re not sure if your kiddos know this, but June is Candy Month. If they’re unaware of this seemingly insignificant celebration, keep them away from this page! If you have a sneaking suspicion that they do know about it, check under their bed for a candy stash, stat! It’s hard to separate kids and candy, but with braces on, once a year is plenty for a holiday made just for the sake of eating candy—we’re talking about you, Halloween!

What makes candy so magically delicious? Sugar! This culprit isn’t as sweet as it may seem though, folks. Sugar may lead to heavy plaque build-up that is hard to get rid of with braces. That plaque can eventually lead to white spots left behind on teeth. If that’s not enough to deter your little one from that jawbreaker, remind them that candies are just too hard to bite down on without running the risk of damaging braces. Chomping on lollipops isn’t good for anyone, braces or not, but if your child does wear braces, hard candy can bend or even break their wires and brackets.

Hard candies aren’t the only type that don’t go well with braces. Chewy candies can cause just as much damage. Have you ever gotten a wad of Double Bubble stuck in your hair? Yikes! Getting something that sticky stuck in your strands can be painful to get out. Sometimes, people even have to resort to cutting that piece of hair off completely. The same thing may happen with candy and braces. Candies like taffy, caramel, and Starbursts are so sticky and chewy that they can potentially pull orthodontic appliance off of teeth. We love visiting with our patients, but preferably not because they accidentally ripped off their braces.

Not all candies are going to ruin braces. Typically, chocolate without caramel and nuts are ok as long as teeth are brushed soon after. Your child doesn’t have to be deprived of yummy treats. Instead, talk to them about which snacks are ok vs. which can be damaging and slow down the process of getting them the beautiful smile they want! Ironically, June is also National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month. Cut your kids a deal—one piece of chocolate for one cherry tomato!