Valentine’s Day is almost here! Whether you are going on a fun date with your significant other, going to an event with friends, or just having a relaxing night at home, one thing you can certainly expect is for there to be more treats around than usual. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a sweet or two on occasion, but while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, you should be especially mindful of the types of candy that you are eating. Continue reading to learn about which ones are better left aside.
Valentine’s Day Candies to Avoid
- Conversational Hearts: We are all familiar with those little heart-shaped candies with sweet messages on them. While they are a delicious, festive sweet, they are better avoided when you have braces. Because of their hard texture, you could risk breaking a bracket or wire.
- Lollipops: Lollipops are a great occasional treat. However, the temptation to bite down on them is too great for many of us. Some lollipops even have gum in the middle that can get stuck in your braces.
- Taffy: Candies that have this texture are extremely sticky and very difficult to get out of braces. When stuck in your braces, they significantly increase your risk of developing a cavity.
- Nerds: These crunchy little candies seem to be the perfect mix of sweet and sour, but they aren’t a good idea when you have braces. Because of their hard texture, munching on Nerds could result in breaking a bracket.
- Fun Dip: As the name suggests, Fun Dip is fun to eat. However, it is almost purely sugar, and nobody wants to spend time in the dental chair getting fillings.
Valentine’s Day Candies to Enjoy
- Boxed Chocolates: You may be surprised to hear that this classic Valentine’s Day gift isn’t harmful to your braces. Just steer clear of the ones containing toffee and caramel.
- Hershey’s Kisses: Enjoying a few Hershey’s Kisses doesn’t put your smile at high risk. Chocolate easily melts away, so you don’t need to worry about lingering issues.
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Hearts: This treat is soft and melty in all the right ways!
Enjoying some festive treats is a fun part of celebrating a variety of holidays. When getting your candy fix this Valentine’s Day, just remember to be mindful of how they will affect your braces. By taking some precautions, you can avoid the need for an emergency dental visit!
About the Practice
At Main Street Family Dental Danville, we have a team of a periodontist and pediatric dentist serving patients of all ages! With their combined expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about orthodontic treatment or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (925) 575-8878.