As orange-and-black decorations go up across neighborhoods, so do piles of candy. Dentists say you don’t have to ruin the fun to protect your family’s teeth — but a little strategy helps. Below are expert-backed tips on which sweets to skip, how to limit the damage, innovative alternatives to offer, and local Indianapolis resources for families who need affordable dental care.
What to avoid and why
Many dentists point to the same three troublemakers: sticky, hard and sour candies.
Dr. Irina Kessler, partner at New York Family Dental Arts, puts it: “Any candies that are sticky, hard, or sour are the worst for teeth.”
Sticky candies cling to crevices and extend sugar exposure, hard candies can crack or chip teeth, and sour candies combine sugar with acid that wears down enamel.
“Sticky candies cling to the teeth, leading to prolonged sugar exposure and increased risk of decay,” said Dr. Natasha M. Flake, president of the American Association of Endodontists.
Eat sweets with a plan.
Dental groups recommend timing and portion control more than total prohibition.
The California Dental Association notes that “the frequency of ingesting sweets has a greater impact on the development of tooth decay than the amount consumed,” and urges parents to have children brush with fluoride toothpaste and floss after eating sweets.
One practical approach many dentists suggest is letting kids pick a couple of favorite pieces on Halloween night, then rationing the rest — or scheduling one “candy feast” followed by brushing — rather than allowing constant nibbling over days or weeks.
How to eat candy more safely
Dentists share a few consistent tips to reduce damage:
- Enjoy candy with a meal. Saliva increases during meals, which helps neutralize acids and rinse food particles.
- Rinse with water after sweets and wait about 30 to 60 minutes before brushing, especially after sour candies, so softened enamel can harden. “Wait at least 60 minutes before brushing as the acid can soften enamel,” the California Dental Association advises.
- Choose chocolate over sticky gummies and taffy. Dr. Priya Mistry notes that chocolate “doesn’t stick on your teeth as much as other candy” and that dark chocolate contains tannins that can “inhibit bacteria from sticking on your teeth.” Moderation is still key.
Healthier treats and swap ideas
If you’d like to offer less harmful options at the door, dentists and dental organizations suggest:
- Small chocolate bars, especially dark chocolate, in moderation.
- Individually wrapped cheese cubes or mini boxes of raisins for older kids (avoid if children are too young because of choking risk).
- Nonfood items such as stickers, glow sticks, temporary tattoos, bubbles, pencils or small toys — these keep the fun without extra sugar.
Creative household strategies
Parents can try simple moves that keep both kids and candy in check: trade nights (swap excess candy for a modest cash payout or a small toy), “buy-back” programs that send candy to military care packages, or community drives that collect unopened candy for donation. Some pediatric dentists run buy-back events where they pay a certain amount per pound of candy and then provide a small prize or voucher for the child. Whatever approach you choose, explain the plan to the kids in advance so that expectations are clear.
When to call a dentist
Watch for signs of trouble after holiday snacking, such as sudden tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, or visible cracks or swelling. Dentists warn that chewing tough candies can chip teeth and untreated damage can lead to an infection that requires urgent care. The California Dental Association recommends regular dental visits and endorses the use of sealants to protect the chewing surfaces of back teeth.
Local resources in Indianapolis
Families in Marion County who need low-cost or no-cost dental care have several options:
- Gennesaret Free Clinics operates a no-cost dental clinic for Marion County residents. Appointments are required; call 317-955-0217 for details.
- Jane Pauley Community Health Clinic offers dental services on a sliding-fee scale and accepts Medicaid; clinics include locations in Indianapolis.
- Marion County Public Health Department and Eskenazi Health list dental programs and community dental sites, including the Smile Mobile and neighborhood clinics; phone numbers and addresses are listed on their dental services pages.
- For a statewide directory of low-cost providers, the Indiana Department of Health’s oral health resources and the Delta Dental Foundation’s Smile Help Now program can help callers find clinics that take Medicaid or offer sliding-scale fees.
Final bite
Dentists agree you can let kids enjoy Halloween without turning it into a dental disaster. Choose less-sticky treats, bundle sweets with meals, encourage rinsing and timed brushing and lean on alternatives if you want to limit sugar at the door.
Suppose cost or access to care is a concern. In that case, Indianapolis has community clinics and free programs ready to help — call ahead and plan a checkup after the holiday season to keep little smiles healthy.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
