Parents of children with braces will no doubt soon enough be proud parents of children with straight and healthy teeth! Sometimes, however, there can be complications that put a damper on things. One of these is when your child goes to enjoy some candy, and what children don’t ask for candy?
Some of the tastiest candy can actually damage the brackets used in your child’s braces, causing you to have to get some costly repairs! Additionally, softer candies are more ideal for the structure of the braces, but the sugar that can get stuck in the braces from gummy candies is also problematic.
While there are some options that help your child enjoy candy as safely as they can, they are fewer than mainstream candies and limit your child from enjoying more classic favorites that everyone else gets to partake in. Freeze dried candies can help provide some protection for your children’s braces while making it possible to enjoy some of the best candies out there.
Continue reading to learn more about freeze dried candy and how it can be an enjoyable part of your child’s braces journey.
How Does Freeze Dried Candy Taste In Comparison?
Freeze dried foods provide the same flavor, shape, and color as fresh foods. Before rehydrating, the food will have a light, pleasant, and crisp texture that crumbles when squeezed between your fingers. Because there is no moisture content in freeze dried food, the original flavor may have a more concentrated flavor.
Since the flavor of freeze dried candies, fruits, and vegetables are so satisfactory on their own, they are commonly consumed without rehydrating.
Is Sugar Itself Bad For Teeth?
Most orthodontic treatment plans can take anywhere from 18 months to three years. Even if your child does not have a persistent sweet tooth, they will most likely experience a candy craving many times while wearing braces.
If you are wondering if eating candy just once is bad, you would be right! It has the potential to reverse months of dedication to your orthodontic treatment. Before reaching for that candy bar, those with braces should consider the following:
Sugar’s Negative Impacts:
Candy contains a lot of sugar, which is bad for your health whether you have braces or not. Sugar and carbs are overall cornerstones for the bacterial growth that causes tooth decay.
Consuming candy can easily become a problem if your child does not wear clear braces that are detachable for proper oral hygiene. Because there are so many areas for sugar to hide and bacteria to spread, the bands, brackets, and wires of metal braces are a breeding ground for decay.
You might also believe that the kind of candy matters for how much damage can be done. It doesn’t matter if the candy is soft, hard, gooey, or sticky; it’s bad for your braces. Hard and chewy candies are the worst because it stresses the teeth when you bite down on them. It can end up causing wires and brackets to tear and pop off, necessitating a visit to the orthodontist.
These problems are large enough to be a cause for concern on their own. Many children are kept from eating candy for these reasons, being given alternative treats to keep their braces safe.
Acceptable Treats When Wearing Braces:
When you’re wearing braces, it’s difficult to easily satisfy your sweet tooth. After all, sugar is already difficult to say no to when a craving strikes! It is ideal for your child to have a few treats here and there without jeopardizing their treatment. When you just can’t say ‘no’ and want to provide some for them, try the foods listed below for the best outcomes:
- Dark chocolate: It is relatively low in sugar and carbohydrates than regular chocolate, making it a better choice than a candy bar.
- Gum without sugar: There will be no sugar to stay on your braces and keep your breath fresh.
- Ice cream: This melts in your mouth and does not lead to bacterial buildup in the mouth.
- Smoothies and milkshakes: These, like ice cream, can be easily rinsed out of your mouth after enjoying them.
- Cookies: These have less sugar than ordinary candy and are more friendly with your dental care as well.
Freeze Dried Candies As A Solution
Freeze drying candies eliminates all of the moisture from the candy, resulting in a light, crunchy product that crumbles with little effort. These processed candies can play an important role in how children with braces consume candy. For special occasions, or regular consumption with monitoring of their oral hygiene, your child can much more frequently and safely have candy.
Choosing these fluffed up and much more manageable candy options can help make consuming treats much more enjoyable for both you and your child. One of the main benefits is being able to avoid the high costs of braces repair in the case something goes wrong.
If you are interested in learning more about freeze dried candy, contact Shepherd Foods today at (800) 497-8321. Our professional freeze dried solutions can bring some sweetness to your life in a new and interesting way! Visit our website to discover even more benefits of freeze dried foods.
