What would you do if you wear braces and the sugar candy comes your way? You would definitely be tempted to have it in one go! But have you ever wondered whether eating candies is safe for your braces or not? Candies are full of sugar content that gives it an oozy gooey structure. This is why most of the doctors/ dentists won’t recommend having candies while you are having braces. Generally, your dentists give you a list of food that you can eat and cannot eat with braces. And one of the things that you cannot eat with braces is candies.
Candy is specifically not recommended to eat when you are having braces and for that, there are a number of reasons. Understanding why and how eating candy when you have braces will affect your chances of completing a successful orthodontic treatment—which ultimately affects the health of your teeth and gums in the long run—will hopefully help diminish your cravings for sweet treats while you have braces.
Why Candy Is Bad For Braces:
If you take a look at the candy, then you would understand that it is loaded with sugar and sugar is a carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are one of those things that fuel the growth of bacteria on your teeth and that leads to the production of acids which causes tooth decay. You must not consume candies with braces and even without braces. The sugar content available in the candies is a huge threat to your teeth. You orthodontists will never recommend you to have candies while you are having braces. The sugar of the candy reaches the surface of all the teeth and in the brackets and bands of your braces. It becomes difficult to remove the sticky sugar from all the teeth just with your toothbrush and dental floss. If not cleaned out from the braces and teeth, the sugar will cause tooth decay.
What Types Of Candies Are Allowed?
Well, the food market is flooded with numerous candies that come in different forms. But it is all the same. No matter what type of candy, a person with braces must not eat them. Right from hard to mint-like, sticky toffee or chocolate bars - candies are not recommended for the braces regardless of its form, structure, and taste.
Understanding The Process: When a person, without braces, takes a bite of the candy, the teeth apply forces to break it down and then chew the pieces of the candy. When a person with braces applies forces to break the hard candy, it puts pressure or additional force on the brackets of the braces and band attachment.
Taking a bit of a hard and sticky candy without braces, your tooth applies pressure, and it is stressed by the force it takes to break down and chew the piece of candy. With braces on your teeth, biting into a hard piece of candy will put additional force onto the bracket or band attachment, along with the tooth.
More often than not, the bracket or band will succumb to the force it takes to eat the candy, and they will break off. When a bracket or band becomes loose, your orthodontic treatment comes to a screeching halt until you are able to see your orthodontist and have the problem repaired. Generally, for most patients, having a loose band or bracket will increase the time period of the treatment.
What You Should Avoid Eating With Braces On At All Costs
Caramel Candies: Generally, caramel is sugary and sticky, and adheres to the teeth. It will also adhere to braces and is difficult to simply brush off. If not cleaned, it will form plaque.
Candies - Gummy Bears and Tootsie Rolls, Salt Water Taffy: If you have braces, definitely stay away from this kind of candy! These candies are stretchy and sticky, and they can easily pull off your brackets when eating them.
Summary:
While you are using braces, you must make sure to eliminate a lot of candy from your diet–not only because you don’t want to damage your braces. But it will also prolong your treatment. Most of the candies tend to be made from a lot of sugar. It is harmful to consume sugar in any form. Consuming sugar in the form of drinking and eating can lead to plaque formation on your teeth and destroys your overall oral health. If you don’t brush that plaque away, it will turn into tartar, which can cause problems that include cavities and gum disease.
