The Worst (And Best) Sweets For Kids At Halloween

Any candy that contains sugar will encourage the plaque development that leads to tooth decay. However, some candies are even worse than others. Watch out for:

Hard candy. Because they’re designed to be sucked on for a while, rather than eaten quickly, hard candies like peppermints or lollipops are some of the worst Halloween candies for teeth. They bathe the teeth in sugar for extended periods, causing prolonged acid attacks and a greater risk of tooth decay. Plus, they can also trigger a dental emergency such as a broken or chipped tooth.

Sticky treats. From gummy worms to caramels, sticky candy is plentiful during Halloween. These softer treats tend to remain on teeth and "stick around" long after the candy has been enjoyed. You can help reduce dental damage by encouraging your child to have one piece at a time, chew thoroughly, and rinse with water afterwards.

Sour candy. Not only are these tangy treats covered in decay-causing sugar, they’re also highly acidic. This can cause damage to the tooth enamel, leaving your child more vulnerable to tooth decay, enamel erosion and sensitivity. 

Bubble gum. Chewing gum flavored with sugar is another of the worst Halloween candies for teeth. Like hard candies, it’s designed to stay in the mouth for a while, bathing the teeth in sugar for long periods. For younger kids, gum is also a choking hazard. 

Now you know the worst Halloween candy for teeth, but are there any good candies your kids can enjoy?! If your kids are going to indulge this Halloween, here are the treats to look out for. 

Sugar-free chewing gum. While sugary gum is bad for teeth, sugar-free gum can actually have oral health benefits. Chewing gum stimulates extra saliva production, which naturally rinses the mouth and keeps plaque-causing bacteria at bay. Choose sugar-free, all-natural gum that's sweetened with fruit juices.

Sugar-free candy. Candy flavored with alternative sweeteners can give your child the enjoyment of candy without the risk to their oral health. And as with gum, chewing or sucking on candy can stimulate beneficial saliva flow. 

Chocolate. Ok, so it still has sugar! But on the list of the worst Halloween candies, chocolate is far from the top. It doesn’t stick to the teeth like chewy candy, and it even contains essential nutrients like magnesium. Dark chocolate is more nutrient-dense and contains less sugar, so when it comes to healthy teeth, the darker the better. 

Nuts. Candy containing nuts, or candy-coated nuts, are not the worst Halloween candies your child could bring home! The nuts help to counter some of the stickiness of the candy, and can also help to scrub plaque from the teeth during chewing. Nts are also rich in protein, fiber and other healthy nutrients. 

Though candy is plentiful, you don't have to let the threat of tummy aches and cavities ruin Halloween. With some extra diligence and a few ground rules, you can make the holiday fun and healthy for the whole family.

Inspect the loot. When your child returns from trick-or-treating or a Halloween party, make sure you get a first look at the haul. Give them a piece or two to enjoy while you check their bag for tampered wrappers, potential allergens, or choking hazards.

Limit candy consumption. Ask your child to help you sort the sweets into piles based on type: chocolate, gummies, and hard candy, etc. Then use small baggies to create candy rations, including one piece from each pile. You can make a rule about how often your child enjoys a treat — like once or twice a week. Make sure to store the candy out of sight.

Make snacking healthier. When it's time to indulge, permit candy consumption only at mealtime, when extra saliva production helps to rinse food particles from teeth. Hard fruits and vegetables can also help dislodge any sticky treats from crevices in the teeth. When eating hard candies, have your child sip water to help periodically rinse the sugar from their teeth.

Propose a trade. If your child collected more candy than they'll ever be able to eat, offer to make a few trades. Let the child use the candy to "buy" other items, such as movie tickets or a new toy. You might even have some smaller items available on Halloween night to help take the attention off the giant bag of candy.

Prioritize oral health. Be extra diligent about oral care during the Halloween season. Help your child correctly brush their teeth at the end of each day to remove sugary build-up. Also, floss their teeth once a day to remove any candy debris that might be stuck between teeth.

Whether you're stocking up for trick-or-treaters or looking for healthier ideas for your child's Halloween party, check out these candy alternatives for this favorite fall holiday.

Fruits and veggies. Many grocery stores sell fruit and vegetables in individually-wrapped snack packs. Check your produce aisle for treat-sized bags of baby carrots and apple slices to encourage dental health and provide a break from a bag of syrupy sweet candy.

Dairy products. The dairy aisle holds more pre-packaged treats that go easy on the teeth. Individual yogurt tubes come in a variety of flavors and provide essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D. You can also try cheese sticks, which are sure to be a favorite for hungry ghosts and goblins. Or quench a young vampire's thirst with drink boxes of organic chocolate milk.

Chewing gum. As previously mentioned, sugar-free gum makes a great alternative to traditional Halloween candy. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals helps reduce tooth decay. The increased saliva helps wash out food debris and neutralize any acid produced by bacteria.

Monster mouths. Skip the wax lips in favor of healthy — and arguably better-tasting — monster mouths made from apples. Slice an unpeeled apple into large wedges, then cut a groove into the center of the wedge's peel-side to create an opening for the mouth. Stuff the groove with peanut or almond butter and top with chopped peanuts or almond slivers to look like crooked teeth poking out.

Vegetable skeleton. Make a boring veggie platter spooktacular by arranging the vegetables in the shape of a skeleton. Use celery stalks and carrot sticks for the legs and arms, cucumber slices for the spine, and bell pepper slices for the rib cage. Cauliflower florets create a skull on top with broccoli for eye sockets and bell pepper strips for the mouth. For the finishing touch, add a carved out pumpkin on the side filled with a healthy dip.

Orange pumpkins and banana ghosts. Quickly turn your favorite fruits into festive snacks. Simply peel oranges or clementines and add a small slice of celery on top for the pumpkin stalk. Then, peel and slice bananas in half and use three chocolate chips to create two eyes and a mouth for a spooky ghost.

Halloween is a great time to promote oral health in your family and throughout the community. Whether you are limiting candy consumption in your own home or sharing nutritious, teeth-healthy snacks with friends and neighbors, you can help develop healthy habits while still enjoying the spirit of the holiday.

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.