Summer Treats: Best Water Ice & Soft Serve in Mount Laurel, NJ

Summer in South Jersey means one thing above all else: frozen treats. From Rita's on Route 38 to family-owned gems across Burlington and Camden Counties, Mount Laurel families won't run out of options. And most of these cool classics are perfectly safe for kids and teens in braces.

Why Frozen Treats & Orthodontic Treatment Actually Go Hand in Hand

Water ice and soft serve are among the most braces-friendly summer foods you can find. Unlike hard candies, popcorn, and sticky caramel, smooth frozen treats require zero chewing force and pose little to no risk to brackets or wires. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has a comprehensive guide on what patients can eat with braces — and soft, cold desserts consistently make the safe list.

A few things to keep in mind regardless of which treat you choose:

• Rinse or brush after eating — sugary treats, even frozen ones, feed bacteria and can lead to white spot lesions around brackets
• Avoid mix-ins that are hard or sticky — nuts, taffy ribbons, and hard candy pieces are a definite NO
• Soft serve, water ice, and frozen custard are generally great choices — smooth, cold, and easy on your hardware

If your child is currently in treatment and you have questions about what's safe to eat this summer, check out our blog on how to care for your orthodontic appliances.

A Word From Your OrthodonTish

I actually love that summer is peak frozen treat season because most of these spots offer items that are completely safe during orthodontic treatment. My go-to advice for my patients: enjoy the water ice, skip the frozen candy bar. The smooth texture of a classic water ice or a swirl of soft serve is one of the true joys of wearing braces in the summer. It soothes soreness after an adjustment appointment, it's easy on your brackets, and honestly, it's just one of the best parts of summertime in South Jersey!

1. Cold Stone Creamery — Mount Laurel (Right Next Door!)

You literally don't have to go far after your appointment, Cold Stone Creamery is right next to our office. For braces patients, the key is keeping it simple: a smooth ice cream creation without hard candy mix-ins is a perfectly safe post-appointment treat. Skip the Heath Bar and almonds; go for the strawberry with whipped cream!

2. Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard — Mount Laurel

Located at 3131 Route 38, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054, Rita's is as South Jersey as it gets. Open daily, it's perfectly situated near our office on Route 38. Their water ice is made fresh daily in rotating seasonal flavors and their frozen custard is creamy and smooth which is ideal for patients mid-treatment. The gelati (layers of Italian ice and custard) are a fan favorite for a reason. Just skip the mix-in toppings that include hard candy pieces.

3. Water Ice Factory — Magnolia, NJ (Worth the Short Drive)

A South Jersey institution, The Water Ice Factory in nearby Magnolia offers 36 flavors of water ice (including sugar-free options) plus gelati, soft-serve and milkshakes. For families with kids in braces who still want variety, this is a dream stop. The sugar-free flavors are particularly great for patients keeping an eye on enamel health during treatment.

4. Gracie's Water Ice & Ice Cream — Haddonfield, NJ

Family-owned and operated for over 22 years, Gracie's at 9 Kings Court in Haddonfield is a nostalgic, beloved spot offering homemade water ice, premium soft serve, and Bassetts gourmet hand-dipped ice cream. It's a quick trip from Mount Laurel and worth every mile. The soft serve and homemade water ice are both completely braces-safe.

5. Daddy-O's — Marlton, NJ

A Marlton staple, Daddy-O's is beloved by South Jersey families for homemade ice cream, homemade water ice and premier soft serve. This is the kind of neighborhood spot that Mount Laurel families with kids in middle school have been visiting for years. Their soft water ice is smooth, flavorful and easy on braces.

Braces-Friendly Summer Treat Tips

No mater which location you choose, here's a quick cheat sheet for patients in braces:

Safe to enjoy: Water ice, soft serve (plain), frozen custard (plain), milkshakes, smoothies, gelati

Avoid or customize: Anything with hard candy mix-ins, crunchy toppings, chewy taffy ribbons, or nuts

Always: Rinse with water after eating and brush as soon as you're home. Sugar sitting around brackets is the fastest path to cavities during treatment. The ADA's guidance on cavity prevention is a helpful resource for parents building good habits alongside orthodontic care.

For more on keeping treatment on track during the summer months, read our blog: The Summer Glow Up: Starting Orthodontic Treatment While School Is Out.

FAQ: Summer Treats & Braces in Mount Laurel, NJ

Can my child eat water ice with braces?

Yes! Water ice is among the most braces-friendly frozen treats available. It is smooth, requires no chewing, and poses no risk to brackets or wires. Just avoid any flavors that include hard candy pieces or chewy mix-ins, and rinse after eating.

What frozen treats should braces patients avoid?

Avoid anything with hard candy pieces, frozen candy bars, ice cream with nuts, chewy caramel swirls, or crunchy waffle cone pieces mixed in. The AAO also recommends avoiding sticky and hard foods throughout treatment to prevent broken brackets and bent wires. See the full guide at aaoinfo.org.

How far is Amazing Brace Orthodontics from the best water ice spots in Mount Laurel?

Our office is located at 4200 Dearborn Circle, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. While they don't offer soft serve, Cold Stone Creamery is right next door to the office! Patients regularly stop for a treat after their appointment and gift cards are often provided when a patient has an appoointment on their birthday!

My child just got braces. What's the best frozen treat to have right after their appointment?

Plain water ice or soft serve — cold and smooth — is genuinely one of the best things for a patient who just had braces placed or adjusted. The cold temperature can reduce inflammation and soothe soreness. It's one of the few times we actively encourage a treat run.

Is now a good time to start orthodontic treatment in South Jersey?

Summer is actually one of the best times to start braces or Invisalign. Kids and teens have more time to adjust before the school year and the schedule is more flexible for appointments. Book a free consultation at Amazing Brace Orthodontics today.

Ready to Start Your Smile Journey in Mount Laurel?

Whether your family is exploring braces for your middle schooler or considering Invisalign for yourself, Amazing Brace Orthodontics is right on Route 38 in Mount Laurel. We're ready to see you whenever you are!

Schedule a free consultation or learn more about braces, Invisalign, and early orthodontic treatment at amazingbraceortho.com.

📍 4200 Dearborn Circle, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 📞 (856) 242-2126

Serving families in Mount Laurel, Marlton, Moorestown, Cherry Hill, Medford, Voorhees, and across South Jersey.

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Amazing Brace Orthodontics | amazingbraceortho.com | Board-Certified Orthodontist in Mount Laurel, NJ

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