Sticky Foods: A Dental Hazard to Avoid with Braces and Crowns

Sticky foods are often among the most beloved treats—think caramel candies, gummies, and certain dried fruits. While these treats might be delicious, they come with hidden dangers for dental health, particularly for those with braces or dental crowns. Sticky foods can latch onto teeth, increase plaque build-up, and in the worst cases, compromise dental work such as braces and crowns. In this article, we will explore the impact of sticky foods on oral health, why they are particularly harmful for individuals with braces or crowns, and which foods to avoid for optimal dental health.

Why Are Sticky Foods Bad for Your Teeth?

Sticky foods cling to the teeth, making it hard for saliva to wash them away. The particles that stay lodged in teeth create an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. Bacteria feed on sugars and release acid as a by-product, which gradually erodes enamel, leading to cavities. If left untreated, these cavities can lead to more serious issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and eventually tooth loss.

Sticky foods are also notorious for:

Causing cavities
Contributing to plaque buildup
Difficult to remove

Causing cavities

When sugar and other carbohydrates stick to teeth, they become a feast for bacteria, which in turn produce acids that break down tooth enamel.

Contributing to plaque buildup

The longer food particles stay on the teeth, the easier it is for plaque to form, leading to further decay and gum disease.

Difficult to remove

Sticky foods are hard to wash away with saliva alone, and brushing can be less effective at dislodging particles deeply embedded in crevices.

Sticky Foods and Braces: A Risky Combination

Braces create additional nooks and crannies around the teeth where food particles and sugars can easily get trapped. Sticky foods are especially dangerous for braces wearers because they can damage the brackets, bend the wires, or cause the braces to become loose. Additionally, sticky foods are challenging to remove from teeth and braces, increasing the risk of cavities and staining around the brackets.

The Risks of Sticky Foods with Braces

Bracket Damage
Wire Misalignment
Increased Risk of Decay

Bracket Damage

Sticky foods can exert pressure on the brackets, which are attached to the teeth with adhesive. Caramel, gummy candies, and other sticky treats can dislodge or break the brackets.

Wire Misalignment

Sticky, chewy foods can bend the wires of the braces, resulting in discomfort and potentially lengthening the treatment time.

Increased Risk of Decay

Because food particles stick to braces more easily, the risk of plaque buildup and decay is higher, especially if the person doesn’t maintain a rigorous oral hygiene routine.

Sticky Foods to Avoid with Braces

If you wear braces, avoiding sticky foods can protect your treatment and minimize the risk of dental issues. Some of the top sticky foods to avoid include:

Caramel and Toffee
Gummy Candies
Chewy Candies
Dried Fruits
Chewing Gum
Hard and Sticky Chocolate

Caramel and Toffee

Both caramel and toffee are notorious for their sticky texture. They can damage brackets and adhere to teeth, increasing the risk of cavities.

Gummy Candies

Gummies, including bears, worms, and fruit snacks, can get lodged in braces, making them difficult to remove and potentially bending wires.

Chewy Candies

Taffy, licorice, and jellybeans are very sticky and should be avoided. They can easily pull on brackets and wires.

Dried Fruits

Raisins, dates, and other dried fruits are sticky and sugary, adhering to teeth and braces and creating a risk for decay and damage.

Chewing Gum

While sugar-free chewing gum is often promoted for general oral health, with braces, it can stick to brackets and wires, creating a mess that’s difficult to clean up.

Hard and Sticky Chocolate

Chocolates with caramel or toffee fillings, such as certain candy bars, are a double threat, being both hard and sticky.

Sticky Foods and Dental Crowns: Why They Don’t Mix Well

Dental crowns are protective caps placed over teeth to restore their shape, size, and strength, often after a tooth has suffered decay or damage. Crowns are designed to be durable, but sticky foods can compromise them over time. Excessively sticky foods can tug at crowns, weaken the cement that holds them in place, or even cause them to dislodge entirely.

The Risks of Sticky Foods with Crowns

Dislodging the Crown – Sticky foods can exert significant pressure on crowns, causing them to loosen or even fall off. If the crown is dislodged, it exposes the tooth underneath, increasing the risk of decay.
Weakened Adhesive – The adhesive used to secure a crown can weaken over time if constantly exposed to sticky substances, potentially requiring additional dental visits to replace or reinforce the crown.
Increase in Decay – Even though crowns cover most of the tooth, decay can still occur around the edges. Sticky foods increase the risk of plaque formation around the crown, which can lead to decay in these areas.

Sticky Foods to Avoid with Crowns

Caramels and Toffees – Just as with braces, caramels and toffees can be problematic for crowns due to their extreme stickiness.
Gummy and Chewy Candies – Gummy bears, licorice, and jellybeans can potentially pull at crowns and are hard to remove, especially from the edges of the crown.
Dried Fruits – Dried fruits are a popular snack but can easily stick to crowns, creating a risk for decay.
Taffy and Laffy Taffy – Taffy is very sticky and can damage crowns, especially if eaten frequently.
Sugary Chewing Gum – Even sugar-free gum can be risky for those with crowns. It can create suction, pulling at the crown, while sugary gums introduce decay-causing sugars to the tooth.

General Guidelines for Avoiding Sticky Foods for Optimal Oral Health

While braces and crowns require extra attention to avoid sticky foods, these tips are beneficial for everyone aiming for optimal oral health:

Limit Sugary Foods – Sugar is the primary fuel for the bacteria that cause cavities, so reducing sugary foods can reduce the risk of decay.
Choose Non Sticky Alternatives – Fruits, crunchy vegetables, or snacks like yogurt and cheese can be healthier, non sticky alternatives.
Brush and Floss Regularly – For individuals with braces or crowns, it’s even more critical to brush and floss daily. Consider using special orthodontic flossers or interdental brushes for hard-to-reach places.
Use Mouthwash – An antiseptic mouthwash can help reduce plaque and bacteria, especially after consuming sugary or sticky foods.
Regular Dental Checkups – Regular dental visits can ensure that braces or crowns remain intact and that any potential issues are caught early.

Alternatives to Sticky Foods

For those with a sweet tooth, there are plenty of satisfying and tooth-friendly options to consider:

Fresh Fruits – Apples, oranges, and strawberries are delicious and won’t cling to teeth like dried fruits.
Dark Chocolate – Dark chocolate without sticky fillings can be a satisfying, less sticky alternative.
Soft Cookies or Muffins – Opt for non-sticky baked goods as a treat. Be cautious, however, of added sugars.
Crunchy Veggies – Carrots, celery, and cucumber are not only healthy but also can help clean teeth while you chew.
Yogurt or Cheese – Dairy products like cheese and yogurt are less acidic and won’t cling to teeth, making them a good choice for those with braces or crowns.

Conclusion

Sticky foods are more than just a fleeting treat; they can have long-lasting consequences for your dental health, particularly if you have braces or crowns. Avoiding sticky foods like caramel, gummies, and dried fruits is essential to protect both natural teeth and dental appliances. By opting for less sticky, healthier alternatives, you can maintain better oral hygiene, avoid additional dental visits, and preserve your smile.

Embrace a diet that supports your dental work, and remember that caring for your teeth extends beyond daily brushing—it involves thoughtful choices about what you eat every day.