Between the costumes, candy and creative decorations, Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights of the year. But behind all that fun lies a sticky problem: the constant snacking that can haunt your teeth long after the jack-o’-lanterns fade.
Dr. Alexis Yip, DMD, an associate dentist at Swiss Biologic Dentistry in Phoenix, said the real issue isn’t just how much sugar kids eat — it’s how often they reach into the candy bowl.
“Every time you snack on sweets, bacteria in your mouth create acids that soften and wear down enamel,” she said. “That process can last up to 40 minutes after each bite. So when kids graze all day, their teeth never get a break.”
At Swiss Biologic Dentistry, Dr. Yip and her colleagues take a whole-body approach to oral care, combining advanced dental science with a calm, spa-like setting designed to support natural healing. Her goal for Halloween: Keep the excitement high, the sugar low and the smiles bright.
Five Dentist-Approved Ways to Keep Halloween Fun and Tooth-Friendly
Beware the candy villains. Sticky candies cling to teeth and trap sugar, hard candies dissolve slowly and prolong exposure, and sour candies are acidic enough to attack enamel directly.
Pick better treats. Choose lower-sugar, dye-free and cleaner-ingredient sweets. Dr. Yip suggests options such as Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, SmartSweets Gummy Bears or Sour Blast Buddies, YumEarth Organic Lollipops, Alter Eco Dark Chocolate Squares and Justin’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups.
Think outside the candy bag. Healthier snacks can still feel festive: mini trail mix packs, boxes of raisins or Craisins, fruit leather (Stretch Island is a hit), applesauce pouches or single-serve popcorn bags such as SkinnyPop.
Hand out playful prizes. Be the house everyone remembers by skipping the sugar altogether and handing out glow sticks, stickers, mini notepads, spider rings, festive pencils, temporary tattoos or, as Dr. Yip’s office does, rubber chickens.
Give your teeth a break. Have kids rinse with water after eating sweets, skip the late-night candy and wait about an hour before brushing to let enamel re-harden naturally.
“Halloween doesn’t have to mean a mouthful of cavities,” Dr. Yip said. “With a few small changes, families can still enjoy every bit of the fun without the sugar overload.”
This year, let the only thing spooky be the costumes — not your next dental checkup.