Spooky Smiles & Braces-Friendly Treats!

Natalie Miller DDS, MS
Great Smiles Pediatric & Orthodontics

Dr. Natalie Miller, orthodontist at Great Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, is back with the best advice for kids (and adults) who wear braces. And during this Halloween season, Dr. Miller helps readers navigate the foods to avoid, and some that are complementary, to those sporting hardware inside the mouth.

Halloween Goodies & Orthodontic Hardware

Boo! October is here and so are all of the Halloween treats. At Great Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we love seeing our patients enjoy Halloween safely while keeping their braces and smiles in great shape! Here are some fun and tooth-friendly ways to celebrate without any scary surprises for your brackets or wires!

Best Braces-Friendly Treats

Even with orthodontic hardware, you can still enjoy plenty of your Halloween favorites! You just need to be selective. I always say, “Trade sticky for chocolate!” Choose soft treats that melt easily and don’t stick to braces.

✅Chocolate bars

✅Peanut butter cups

✅ M&M’s (plain)

✅Soft cookies or brownies

Treats to Avoid

(They’re Too Spooky for Braces!)

Some Halloween treats can damage wires, pop off brackets and loosen expanders leading to emergency visits and extended treatment times

🚫 Taffy (Laughy Taffy, Starburst, Tootsie Roll)

🚫Gummies (bears, worms, fruit snacks)

🚫Hard candies (jolly ranchers, lollipops, Jawbreakers)

🚫 Popcorn and caramel corn

👻 If you’re unsure, remember this trick: “If it’s sticky, crunchy, or chewy — it’s likely too scary for braces!”

The Great Smiles Great Candy Buy Back

Looking for a place to give all of your avoided treats? Great Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics will buy it back from you! Bring it in and you can get $1 per pound (up to 5 lbs) donated. Stop by November 3-5 from 2-5pm. To keep things fun we are going to make it a contest! The class that brings in the MOST candy will get a pizza party for their class.

We hope your Halloween is full of fun, laughter, and braces-safe treats. Remember, a healthy smile never goes out of season!