Easter is a holiday that both adults and children enjoy and is typically full of family traditions. The holiday is also symbolic for egg hunts and baskets overflowing with candy. But, if you have a family member with braces, there are some treats they aren’t able to enjoy during the holiday. Sticky and crunchy treats can cause damage to their braces and lead to an emergency trip to see the orthodontist. Avoid candies like jelly beans, starburst and jolly ranchers, as they tend to get stuck in the brackets and cause them to break. There are plenty of other sweet treats that aren’t off limits to add to their basket including:

• • Chocolate
    Who doesn’t love chocolate in their Easter basket? Soft chocolates such as Hershey kisses and peanut butter eggs are perfect for those wearing braces. Be sure to steer clear of any chocolates filled with caramel or nuts to avoid any damage.
  • Sugar Cookies
    Sugar cookies are a great addition to any basket. Whether they are plain or iced, either is fine for those with braces. They’re easy to make at home or to purchase from the store decorated for the holiday. Yum!
  • Brownies
    As long as you avoid brownies with nuts or caramel, you can’t go wrong including these goodies in any chocolate lovers basket.

Basket Ideas for Young Kids:

• • • Stuffed Animals
    • Coloring Books
    • Stickers
    • Markers
    • Finger Paints
    • Bubbles
    • Puzzles

Basket Ideas for Teens:

• • • Nail polish
    • Gift Cards
    • Movie Tickets
    • Books
    • CD’s
    • Water Bottle
    • Lip Gloss
  • Marshmallows
    Although marshmallows can be a bit sticky, they are still soft enough for braces. If you add marshmallow Peeps to their basket, it’s a good idea to have them brush their teeth afterwards. In fact, having them brush their teeth after any sweet treat is always a good idea to avoid decay.
  • Fruit 
    Fruit is a great option for adults and children and is a healthy treat as well. Bananas, strawberries, blueberries and smoothies are excellent choices and are full of vitamins too!
  • Non-Food Items 
    While most Easter baskets are full of sweet treats, there are many non-food items to choose from that are just as special. Plus, there’s no need to worry about any damage occurring to their braces. Items such as gift cards, nail polish, chap stick, books, movie tickets and headphones are great additions. For younger kids opt for items such as sidewalk chalk, crayons, puzzles, bubbles or stuffed animals.

Braces Friendly Easter Basket Sweet Treats:

• • Sugar Cookies
  • Peanut Butter Cups
  • Marshmallows
  • Brownies
  • Hershey Kisses
  • Soft Cereal Bars
  • Strawberries
  • Fruit Smoothies
  • Pudding Cups
  • Chocolate Eggs
  • Bananas

Make it Special One last thing to consider when making an Easter basket is what type of basket to use. Maybe you have a basket your child has used since they were a toddler or you buy a new one each year. Consider a reusable item such as a book bag, toy bin, or jewelry box to hold their goodies this year to make it even more special.

Whether you have an Easter egg hunt each year, a special Easter dinner or decorate hard-boiled eggs, Easter is a great holiday to spend with family. Even if some of your child’s favorite treats are off limits because of braces, there are tons of other great options to choose from.