Halloween candy trends and orthodontic safety tips

As Halloween approaches, new candy products are entering the market alongside guidance for managing orthodontic health during the holiday.

New seasonal offerings include Skittles POP’d Creepy Crunch, a freeze-dried version of the candy featuring flavors such as Ghostly Lime and Cursed Apple. Mars has also introduced Twix Skulls, which maintain the traditional cookie, caramel, and chocolate composition but are molded into skull shapes.

For individuals wearing braces, certain treats pose risks to orthodontic hardware. Hard, sticky, or chewy candies—such as caramels, taffy, gummy candies, and jawbreakers—can bend wires, pop off brackets, or become lodged in dental appliances. Such damage may require unplanned orthodontic visits and could delay treatment timelines. Maintaining oral hygiene is also critical, as sugary residue can lead to plaque buildup and cavities in the areas around brackets.