Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and shiny, ribbon-bound, heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolate candies line store shelves everywhere. It’s a question we get asked every Valentine’s Day: Is chocolate safe for braces? Here’s what you need to know about the holiday’s most popular candy.

Possibly the Best News Ever
This may be quite possibly the best news you’ve ever heard: The answer to the question, “Is chocolate safe for braces?” is “yes.”

Of course, there are a few more things you need to know first, but chocolate is one of the safest candies for people with braces. Because it melts in your mouth, that means that it softens as you eat it, so it’s unlikely to get sticky when you chew it or leave behind a hard-to-clean residue on your teeth and braces.

When Eating Chocolate with Braces
However, it is important to be mindful of the type of chocolate you eat and know how to consume it properly so that it is safe for your braces.

Make sure that the chocolate doesn’t contain hard nuts or a chewy or sticky filling that could be harmful to your braces. Chewy and sticky candies are especially dangerous for braces because they can pull wires, bands, and brackets loose and bend things out of shape, requiring costly and time-consuming repairs.

If you do eat solid chocolate, such as a chocolate bar, don’t bite directly into it, as that could be tough on your braces. Instead, first break the chocolate into smaller pieces with your hands before you enjoy it.

Talking With Your Orthodontist
If you have more questions about the holiday like, “Is Chocolate safe for braces?” don’t be afraid to ask your orthodontist! It’s important to remember that many people have braces so what you’re experiencing with braces is a common experience for a lot of people. Any question you can think of, we’ve probably been asked before.

When you have braces, celebrating holidays like Valentine’s Day can feel a bit different than you’re used to. The important thing to remember is that you’ll soon have a beautiful new smile that will make it all worth it.

Call our El Campo Dental Office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.