10 Tips to Help Protect Your Child’s Teeth Around Halloween

Halloween is a magical time for kids, filled with costumes, candy and neighborhood adventures. It’s also the perfect opportunity to teach children (and gently remind candy-loving adults) about the importance of healthy dental habits during the spooky season.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should consume no more than 25 grams (about 6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day.¹ On Halloween, however, it’s easy for that number to triple or more in a single evening. 

But don’t worry, you can help your child enjoy all the fun without compromising their dental health. Here are 10 tips for parents to help protect their little ones’ teeth this Halloween. 

1. Select a Treat Time

Decide ahead of time how you’ll deal with Halloween candy and communicate the plan to your children. For example, you might limit the amount of candy they’re allowed to collect on Halloween night. In the days after Halloween, set a treat time after dinner or lunch where they’re allowed to choose a couple of pieces to enjoy. You can also set a timeline for how long this routine will extend, such as one or two weeks after Halloween, so that you’re not still distributing Halloween candy into December.

A routine with clear expectations helps kids regulate their sugar intake and limits their sugar exposure throughout the day.²

2. Choose Treats Wisely

All-day grazing can increase cavity risks, particularly if kids are snacking on Halloween candy. Consider low-sugar options like nuts, fruit, veggies, crackers, cheese or yogurt if your kids need an energy boost.³

For a sweet treat, a small amount of chocolate is a reasonable choice, as it doesn’t cling to teeth like other types of candy. Dark chocolate contains less cavity-causing sugar than semi-sweet and milk chocolate.³

3. Encourage Water

Water helps to rinse away the sugar, acid and sticky candy residue that can lead to tooth decay. In addition, water helps to balance oral pH and reduce bacteria.⁴ 

Encourage kids to stay hydrated with a glass of water after enjoying a few treats. It’s a simple habit with a big impact.

4. Brush and Floss

Good old brushing and flossing are still the primary defense against cavities.⁴ Help your child brush thoroughly, especially on Halloween night, and don’t skip flossing.

Take time to explain how cavities form using age-appropriate books or videos. When kids understand the why, they may be more motivated to protect their teeth. 

5. Avoid Sticky and Sour Candies

Taffy, gummies and hard candies that stay in your mouth for a long time can stick to kids’ teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay. Sour candy is also highly acidic, which can erode the protective enamel coating on your child’s teeth.³ Remember that the longer a candy stays in your child’s mouth, the more time bacteria have to feed off the sugar and create the conditions for tooth decay.⁴

It’s better to steer clear of sticky and sour candies or try sugar-free versions to lower cavity risks.³

6. Donate or Limit Candy

Sift through your child’s candy haul with them after trick-or-treating and have them pick their favorites, then donate the rest. Many communities work with organizations that distribute extra candy to troops both home and abroad, nursing homes, shelters, hospitals and retirement communities.⁵

Some dental offices host buyback programs in which they pay in cash by the pound for returned Halloween candy, while others exchange candy for games, toys, books or gift certificates to local businesses.⁵

Consider hosting your own buyback program with your kids and let them exchange their candy for small prizes or experiences like family movie night, an afternoon at the batting cages, an extra hour of screen time or other incentives your child would find motivating.²

To help limit temptation, store the remaining candy out of sight and reach to avoid snacking. 

7. Schedule a Dental Visit

Fall is a good time to schedule a dental appointment. A check-up that includes a cleaning after Halloween can help identify and treat any issues early and reinforce the importance of regular oral care and maintenance.⁶ 

8. Enjoy Halloween Candy With Meals

Let your child enjoy a piece or two of their Halloween candy at the end of a full meal, when saliva production is at its highest. The extra saliva helps wash away particles of candy left behind on the teeth and neutralizes acids that cause cavities.⁶

This approach also helps to limit the number of times per day your child’s teeth are getting a “sugar bath,” especially if you have them brush their teeth about 30 minutes after enjoying a sugary treat with their meal. Waiting 30 minutes to brush gives saliva time to neutralize acids in the mouth, while brushing immediately after a meal, when the mouth is still acidic, can contribute to enamel erosion.⁶

9. Chew Sugar-Free Gum 

If your child is old enough, chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating candy can help stimulate saliva that cleans the mouth, neutralizes acids and freshens breath.³ It’s a dentist-approved trick for preventing tooth decay, and kids usually love the novelty of it.

Teach your child to properly discard used gum after 20 minutes, and don’t allow them to chew when it could become a choking hazard or bite hazard, such as during sports or other physical activities.

10. Set a Good Example

Your child takes their cues from you, so be mindful of your own Halloween habits. Set family limits that apply to both adults and children, and talk openly about why you limit sweets. Remove temptation by placing Halloween candy in an inconvenient spot, and purchase your Halloween candy as close to the holiday as possible to reduce exposure in the weeks leading up to October 31. Brush your own teeth after treats, and let them see you choose water over soda. Modeling healthy behavior makes a big impression.²

Plan Ahead to Protect Their Smiles

Protecting your child’s teeth doesn’t have to mean removing all the fun from Halloween. Strategies like setting treat times, choosing tooth-friendly candy and staying vigilant about brushing and flossing can help to make Halloween both enjoyable and manageable. Keep in mind that it’s the memories, not the sugar, that matter most.

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Regular dental checkups are important to help prevent, identify and treat dental problems before they become more advanced. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for dental exams, cosmetic dental procedures and other costs that insurance doesn’t cover — to help you keep your pearly whites bright and healthy.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist near you that accepts CareCredit. Make the most of your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

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Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.