Kids should get stickers, not candy during Halloween trick-or-treating, dentists demand

October 30, 2024, 00:18

Children should be given stickers rather than candy during Halloween to protect their teeth, leading dental surgeons say.

Many kids across the country are gearing up to collect a bunch of candy this week by knocking on neighbors’ doors during the annual trick-or-treating event.

But the Royal College of Surgeons of England offered tips to help children avoid tooth decay ahead of Halloween on Thursday, including avoiding lollipops and sticky sweets.

Dentists are also calling on the public to do their part by handing out stickers or play dough instead of sweets.

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Dr Charlotte Eckhardt, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said: “While we don’t want to be too harsh about one evening of celebrations, this is a good reminder that it should be treated as an occasion, not the norm, you Sugar consumption should be avoided as it is more problematic for oral health.

“One of the best things you can do is avoid lollipops, as long-term consumption exposes children’s teeth to sugar for longer, increasing the risk of tooth decay.”

Top dental tips issued by the faculty include:

• Parents are advised not to let children eat all the Halloween candy in one sitting.
• Children should avoid sweets that can stick to their teeth.
• People handing out Halloween treats may offer “alternatives such as stickers or play dough.”
• They should also limit the amount of sweets given to each child.
• Children should be encouraged to choose water over sugary drinks at Halloween parties.
• And children should be given a new toothbrush after they finish a treat, with the RCS saying if it’s a favorite color or with a cartoon character on it, it may encourage them to brush their teeth even more.
• Parents should ensure that children brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste before bed, even if they are tired.

The RCS noted that tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions in children.

Some 19,381 children aged five to nine in England were hospitalized due to tooth decay in 2023/24, according to NHS England.