SURREY, British Columbia — As families prepare for Halloween festivities, Fraser Health is encouraging parents to make this year’s celebrations both fun and healthy by helping children enjoy their treats responsibly while protecting their teeth from cavities.
Halloween is a highlight for many children, but the abundance of sugary snacks that come with trick-or-treating can pose a risk to oral health. According to Fraser Health, planning ahead can help families “scare away tooth decay” while still keeping the holiday sweet.
“When we eat sugary or carbohydrate-rich foods and drinks, the germs in dental plaque mix with the sugars to make a mild acid,” the authority explained. “This acid attacks tooth enamel, the hard outer layer of the teeth. If plaque is not removed regularly, the enamel softens and cavities can form.”
To maintain healthy teeth and strong enamel, Fraser Health advises brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
“The damage to teeth depends on how long sugar stays in the mouth,” said Karen Hopkins, dental hygiene practitioner and leader for Oral Health, Population and Public Health at Fraser Health. “The longer and more often sugar touches the teeth, the greater the damage. Careful timing of treats and good oral hygiene habits can help.”
Reducing Sugar Exposure While Keeping the Fun
Fraser Health suggests that parents take a balanced approach to Halloween candy. Rather than restricting treats entirely, the agency encourages families to talk with children ahead of time about how much trick-or-treating is enough and to let them enjoy their candy haul once they return home.
Letting kids sort and explore their collection can help create a sense of control and fun while allowing parents to guide decisions about which candies to keep.
Certain sweets, however, pose a higher risk for tooth decay. Lollipops, hard candies, sour gummies, and other sticky treats that linger in the mouth are less tooth-friendly. Hopkins recommends offering sugar-free gum, chocolate, or powdery candies that dissolve quickly, which are gentler on teeth.
Children should brush their teeth about 30 minutes after eating candy, giving softened enamel time to recover before brushing. “Help your child brush about 30 minutes after eating candy, since tooth enamel is softened right after eating sweets and can be damaged by brushing too soon,” Fraser Health advises. Parents are also reminded that bedtime brushing is essential, as cavity-causing bacteria are most active at night.
“As parents or caregivers, you decide what, when, and where food is offered,” said Dr. Lindsay Bowthorpe, Fraser Health Medical Health Officer. “By not treating Halloween candy as a special food, you can help children build healthy relationships with food.”
The health authority suggests pairing treats with meals or offering them as part of a snack rather than between meals. Drinking plenty of water afterward can help rinse away sugar and acids, and eating a piece of hard cheese or chewing sugar-free gum can help neutralize harmful bacteria.
“Halloween is more than candy,” Hopkins added. “You can make it exciting by spending time together, joining community events, and using creative non-food treats such as small toys, stickers, temporary tattoos, or glow sticks.”
Safety Beyond Sweets
Fraser Health’s Halloween guidance extends beyond oral health to overall safety during the evening’s festivities. The organization reminds residents to plan ahead and take precautions while out in the community.
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Stay alert: Limit driving on Halloween night when possible. If you must drive, reduce your speed and watch for children crossing the street.
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Follow pedestrian rules: Cross only at intersections and always look both ways.
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Be visible: Use flashlights or glow sticks, add reflective tape to costumes, and encourage children to stay in groups in well-lit areas.
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Don’t drink and drive: Arrange safe transportation options such as public transit, rideshare services, or designated drivers.
Fraser Health emphasizes that celebrating safely also means ending the night on a positive note. “Let’s all do our part to keep Halloween fun, healthy and safe for everyone,” the organization said.
About Fraser Health
Fraser Health serves more than 1.9 million residents across British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, providing hospital and community-based services supported by over 50,000 staff, medical professionals, and volunteers. The health authority acknowledges that its operations take place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations, and it is home to 32 First Nations communities within the Fraser Salish region.
Fraser Health remains dedicated to serving all Indigenous peoples and honouring the unique cultures of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit who live within its service area.
As families prepare for another festive Halloween, Fraser Health’s message is clear: enjoy the fun, savour the treats—but remember that healthy habits can make the smiles last long after the candy is gone.
