What Candy Can You Eat With Braces? Dentist Insights in 2025

You can eat soft, non-sticky candies with braces, but avoid hard, chewy, or sticky candies that can damage your braces. Some candies can break your braces or make your treatment longer. Others are okay if you choose carefully.

Braces have small brackets glued to your teeth and wires that help move your teeth. These parts are delicate. Hard or sticky candy can crack or pull off brackets or get stuck in wires. That means more pain, more visits to the orthodontist, and a longer time wearing braces.

Our dental experts at Palm Valley Orthodontics explain what kinds of candy you can enjoy, including sour and fruity options, plus the candies to avoid while you have braces.

Why Does Candy Matter When You Have Braces?

Your braces are like tiny machines on your teeth. They work by gently moving your teeth over time. But they aren’t as strong as your natural teeth.

Eating hard or sticky candy can damage the braces in different ways:

• Hard candies can crack the brackets or break the wires.
• Stick candies like caramel or taffy are examples that can cause discomfort by pulling the brackets off or becoming trapped.
• Chewy candies can bend wires or loosen brackets.

If this happens, your orthodontist needs to fix it, which means extra appointments and delays.

To avoid damage from foods and candies, it’s important to know exactly what you can and can’t eat during braces treatment. 

What Candy Can You Eat With Braces?

The good news is you can still enjoy candy, but you need to pick the right kind. The safest candies are:

• Soft gummies that aren’t sticky: Choose soft gummy bears or worms that don’t stick to braces.
• Jelly beans: Soft and chewy, but don’t eat too many at once.
• Marshmallows: Soft and easy on braces.
• Soft chocolates without nuts or caramel: Plain milk chocolate is usually okay.

These candies are soft enough not to damage braces and don’t stick in your teeth.

What About Sour Candy and Braces?

Sour candy is popular but can be tricky with braces. Many sour candies are sticky or hard, which is not good.

If you want sour candy:

• Choose soft sour gummies that aren’t sticky.
• Sour powders you lick (like sour sprays or sherbet powders) are okay because you don’t chew them.
• Avoid sour belts or sour taffy, they are sticky and chewy and can pull braces off.

What Fruity Candy Can You Eat With Braces?

Fruity candy can be fine if it’s soft and not sticky. Some good options are:

• Soft fruit-flavored gummies (non-sticky)
• Jelly beans
• Soft fruit chews that don’t stick to braces

Avoid hard fruit candies or chewy fruit chews that are sticky. These can damage braces and get stuck in your teeth.

Can You Eat Popular Candies With Braces?

Many people with braces wonder about their favorite candies. Here’s a simple guide to some popular treats:

Skittles

It’s best to avoid Skittles. They can harm your braces because of their chewy interior and hard outer shell.

M&Ms

Plain M&Ms without nuts or caramel are usually safe. Their hard candy shell protects the chocolate inside, making them a better choice.

Kit Kats

Kit Kats are crunchy and can potentially break your brackets if you bite down hard. It’s safer to break them into small pieces and eat carefully.

Oreos

Oreos are soft enough to eat with braces, but the crumbs can get stuck. Make sure to brush thoroughly afterward.

Nerds

Nerds are small, hard, and crunchy, not a good option as they can damage your braces.

Airheads

Airheads are chewy and sticky, which makes them risky for braces. It’s better to avoid them.

What Candy Should You Avoid With Braces?

It’s important to skip candies that can cause damage:

• Hard candies: Lollipops, jawbreakers, or any candy that’s solid and hard.
• Sticky candies: Caramel, taffy, gummy bears, and anything sticky that clings to braces. Similarly, chewing gum can cause issues with braces if it sticks around.
• Chewy candies: Licorice or Airheads, which stretch and pull on braces.
• Candy with nuts or popcorn: Nuts can get stuck, and popcorn can hurt your braces.

Tips for Enjoying Candy Safely With Braces

If you choose to eat candy while wearing braces, these tips can help protect your braces and keep your mouth comfortable:

• To prevent breaking your braces, break hard sweets into small pieces before eating.
• When chewing candy, use your back teeth rather than your front teeth.
• After eating, give your braces and teeth a thorough brushing to get rid of any sugar or candy residue.
• Cover any sharp or rough areas of your braces with orthodontic wax if they are irritating.

Final Thoughts

Candy doesn’t have to be off-limits when you have braces. Just pick soft, non-sticky options and avoid hard or chewy sweets. This helps protect your braces and keeps your treatment on schedule.

Taking care of your braces means fewer emergency trips and a healthier smile at the end of your treatment.

At Orthodontics Scottsdale, we provide braces treatment for all ages. Our team helps you from choosing the right braces to giving you tips on how to care for them, including what foods and candies are safe. 

We focus on keeping your braces comfortable and working well so your treatment goes smoothly and your smile looks great in the end. If you want expert care and support for your braces, contact Palm Valley Orthodontics in Scottsdale today.

People Also Ask

Are M&Ms okay to eat with braces?

Yes, plain M&Ms without nuts or caramel are usually safe. Their hard candy shell protects the chocolate and doesn’t harm braces.

Can I eat sour candy if I have braces?

Soft sour gummies and sour powders are fine, but avoid sticky or chewy sour candies that can pull on your braces.

Is it safe to eat hard candy like lollipops with braces?

No. Hard candies can crack brackets or bend wires, so they should be avoided.

Can I eat chewy candies like caramel or taffy with braces?

No, chewy candies stick to your braces and can pull brackets off or damage wires. It’s best to avoid them.

Are gummy bears safe to eat with braces?

Only if they are soft and you don’t chew them aggressively. Sticky or very chewy gummy bears can cause damage.

Can I eat chocolate while wearing braces?

Yes, plain chocolate without nuts, caramel, or toffee is usually safe and gentle on braces.

Can I eat crunchy candies like Kit Kats or nuts?

Crunchy candies like Kit Kats can break brackets if you bite hard. Nuts are not candy but should be avoided as they can also damage braces.

Can I eat Oreos or other soft cookies?

Yes, soft cookies like Oreos are generally okay, but crumbs can get stuck in braces. Brush well after eating.