Dental experts urge non-sweet Halloween treats to prevent decay
Surgeons recommend non-sweet treats to curb Halloween tooth decay
Leading dental surgeons recommend giving children stickers or playdough instead of sweets during Halloween. The Royal College of Surgeons of England advises against lollipops and sticky sweets to prevent tooth decay. The dean of the college’s dental surgery faculty suggests that the public offer stickers or playdough to trick-or-treaters as an alternative to sugary treats.
Dr Charlotte Eckhardt notes that while she doesn’t want to impose strict rules on one festive night, it’s important to view Halloween as a special occasion rather than a regular event to prevent sugar grazing, which poses significant risks to oral health. Lollipops, she explains, are particularly harmful due to their prolonged sugar exposure, increasing the likelihood of tooth decay.
The RCS emphasises that tooth decay is the primary reason children are admitted to hospitals. NHS England reports that in the 2023/24 period, 19,381 children aged five to nine in England were hospitalised due to tooth decay.
🎃 Children should be given stickers or playdough instead of sweets on Halloween, leading dental surgeons have said.@KayBurley, @GarethBarlow and @AmeliaHarperTV discuss the story.
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What Other Media Are Saying
- Nationwide Children’s emphasizes choosing chocolate over sticky candy and setting a time limit on Halloween treats to reduce frequency of sugar exposure and minimize tooth decay.(read more)
- Babylon Dental Care emphasizes the importance of oral hygiene during Halloween, advising to brush twice daily and floss once daily, especially after consuming sugary candies.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why do dental surgeons recommend giving stickers instead of sweets on Halloween?
Stickers prevent tooth decay by avoiding sugar exposure from sweets.
What does the Royal College of Surgeons of England suggest for Halloween treats?
They advise against lollipops and sticky sweets to prevent tooth decay.
What are the risks of giving lollipops to children on Halloween?
Lollipops increase tooth decay risk due to prolonged sugar exposure.
How many children were hospitalised due to tooth decay in 2023/24?
19,381 children aged five to nine in England were hospitalised.
What does Dr. Charlotte Eckhardt say about Halloween treats?
She suggests viewing Halloween as a special occasion to prevent regular sugar grazing.
