Children should get stickers instead of candy on Halloween to save their teeth, according to the country’s top dental surgeons.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England has offered advice to help children avoid cavities ahead of its mass sweets drive later this week.
Her first tip, which is easier said than done, is to avoid lollipops and other sticky sweets.
The public has also been asked to do their part by handing out stickers or playdough instead of candy.
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 draconian about a night of festivities, it is a good reminder that this should be seen as ‘It’s an occasion and not the norm, it is advisable to avoid excessive consumption of sugar, since it is more problematic for oral health.
Dr. Eckhardt added that sweets like lollipops can be especially problematic, causing prolonged exposure of children’s teeth to sugar.
The Royal College of Surgeons has given parents a list of ten tips to help relieve cavities in their children during Halloween
The RCS noted that cavities are the main cause of hospital admissions among children
Parents encouraged to hand out stickers instead of candy this upcoming Halloween
Tooth decay has been found to be the leading cause of hospital admissions among children in recent years, and parents are urged to brush their children’s teeth even if they are tired.
Parents have also been advised not to let their children eat all the Halloween candy at once and to prevent their children from consuming candy that may get stuck to their teeth.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England added its advice that children should be encouraged to opt for water instead of sugary drinks at Halloween parties.
They have also called for youngsters to be given a new toothbrush after they finish their treats, and the RCS says if it’s their favorite color or has a cartoon character on it, that could prompt them to brush even more.
Parents should make sure children brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste before bed, even if they are tired, as this can greatly help relieve cavities.
The RCS noted that tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions among children: some 19,381 children aged five to nine in England were admitted to hospital due to tooth decay, according to NHS England data in 2023/2024 alone.