Ah, Valentine’s Day. The school hallways are filled with heart-shaped boxes, candy-stuffed envelopes, and enough sugary sweetness to make any parent nervous — especially when your child is in the middle of orthodontic treatment. If you’re raising a kiddo in braces here in Winston-Salem, Clemmons, or King, you know the mild panic that sets in when Valentine’s parties approach. Will the candy damage brackets? Is there anything safe to eat?
At Bisig + Chermak + Rudnicke Orthodontics, we want Valentine’s Day to be fun for your whole family. We’ve created the ultimate candy guide — and because we’re neighbors who love this community, we’re also sharing some of our favorite local sweet spots AND what’s happening around town in February.
Why Candy Can Be a Problem During Orthodontic Treatment
Braces are held in place with brackets, wires, and rubber bands designed to be durable, but not indestructible. Certain candy can cause broken brackets, bent wires, and cavities that hide around brackets. The good news? You don’t have to eliminate all sweets — just know what to look for.
The Braces Danger List: Candy to Avoid on Valentine’s Day
Hard Candies — The Bracket Breakers
Jolly Ranchers, conversation hearts, jawbreakers — hard candy is the number one cause of February bracket breaks we see at our offices. One wrong bite and you’re calling us for an emergency repair.
Chewy and Gummy Candies
Gummy bears, Swedish fish, Starburst, Laffy Taffy, Tootsie Rolls — anything chewy or sticky can pull a bracket right off the tooth. Skip these entirely during treatment.
Caramel and Toffee
Simultaneously sticky AND hard — a perfect storm for orthodontic damage. Skip the heart-shaped caramel box this Valentine’s Day.
Safe Valentine’s Day Treats: The Approved List
Plain milk chocolate (Hershey’s Kisses, Three Musketeers), Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, plain M&Ms, soft cookies, brownies, gelatin, pudding cups, yogurt parfaits, and soft ice cream are all excellent braces-friendly picks.
💛 BCR’s Valentine’s Day Local Restaurant Picks in Winston-Salem
Before you hit the grocery candy aisle, consider these incredible local Winston-Salem spots where brace-friendly sweet treats are made with real love:
⭐ Bobby Boy Bakeshop
📍 1100 Reynolda Rd, Winston-Salem
Try: Silky éclair, focaccia slab, or fresh quiche
Why it works: James Beard semi-finalists Lucia and John Bobby create pastries that melt in your mouth. Their eclairs are silky-soft, the quiche is custardy and warm — and almost everything in the case is braces-safe. Pro tip: arrive early; their display cases sell out fast on weekends.
⭐ Louie & Honey’s Kitchen
📍 401 W End Blvd, Winston-Salem
Try: Heirloom Amish cinnamon rolls, chocolate ganache cake, chocolate chess pie
Why it works: This beloved mother-daughter bakery uses organic NC-milled flour and old-world recipes. Their cinnamon rolls are pillowy and soft, covered in boiled brown sugar frosting — about as brace-friendly as a sweet treat gets. Their ganache cake is rich, moist, and melts without any hard bits.
⭐ Dough-Joe’s Doughnuts
📍 114 Reynolda Vlg Wy C, Winston-Salem
Try: Made-to-order cake doughnuts, soft seasonal glazes
Why it works: Named one of Yelp’s Top 50 Donut Shops in America in 2025, Dough-Joe’s makes nut-free, made-to-order cake doughnuts that are soft, fresh, and totally customizable. Their soft yielding crumb is minimal bracket risk.
🏎️ BCR in the Community: February Fun in Winston-Salem
February in Winston-Salem isn’t just about Valentine’s Day — it’s also race season! At BCR, we love being part of a community where there’s always something exciting happening, and February delivers big.
🎉 NASCAR Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium
🗓 February (annual) 📍 Bowman Gray Stadium, 1250 S. Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Winston-Salem
NASCAR’s preseason exhibition race returned to Bowman Gray — “The Madhouse” — in 2025 and 2026, and the electricity is unlike anything else in the Triad. Winston-Salem is deeply rooted in racing history, and the Clash brings that heritage back to downtown. The weekend includes a free FanFare on Fourth festival with race simulators, driver appearances, and kids’ activities. BCR families, this is a great winter outing!
🎯 Kaleideum — Winston-Salem’s STEAM Museum
📍 120 W. 3rd Street, Winston-Salem (Downtown)
What to do: Five stories of hands-on STEAM exhibits at this $48M downtown museum — open since February 2024. Kids 8–16 love the By Design makers space (robotics, sketching, construction), the Digital Dome Planetarium for laser shows and space films, and the current Moon to Mars rotating exhibit developed with NASA. Rooftop Adventure playground has incredible skyline views.
BCR Ortho tip: Kaleideum is a completely brace-safe adventure! No food restrictions apply — just bring a refillable water bottle. Great for a winter afternoon or rainy day.
Valentine’s Day Oral Hygiene: The Essentials
After indulging in treats, make sure your child rinses with water, brushes for two full minutes with fluoride toothpaste and an orthodontic brush, and uses floss threaders between brackets and wires. Building these habits year-round is one of the best things they can do for their smile.
Ready to start your child’s smile journey?
Schedule a FREE consultation at Bisig + Chermak + Rudnicke Orthodontics — Winston-Salem, Clemmons, or King! Visit smileland.com today.
