Give kids playdough not sweets for Halloween, health chiefs urge: ‘We don’t want to be spoilsports’
Britain’s top dental surgeons have issued a stark warning ahead of Halloween, claiming the festivities put children at risk of tooth decay.
Parents have been advised not to let children eat all their Halloween sweets ‘in one sitting’ – and to throw away sugary drinks and sweets that could linger in the teenager’s stomach.
The public has also been urged to do their part by handing out toys as treats as they do not damage teeth.
Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSE) dental chief Dr Charlotte Eckhardt said they did not want to be a spoilsport, but added that lollipops could be ‘problematic’.
‘We don’t want to be too draconian about one evening of festivities, but this should be seen as an occasion and not the norm.
“You want to avoid sugar grazing because it’s more problematic for oral health.”
‘One of the best things you can do is avoid lollipops as they expose children’s teeth to sugar for longer, increasing the risk of decay.’
Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSE) dental chief Dr Charlotte Eckhardt said they did not want to be a spoilsport, but added that lollipops could be ‘problematic’
The public has been urged to do their bit by handing out toys as treats as they do not damage teeth
The RCSE added that children should be encouraged to opt for water over sugary drinks at Halloween parties.
Other tips include giving children a new toothbrush as a reward after they finish their treats.
The RCSE suggests that if it is in a favorite color or features a cartoon character, this might entice them to brush even more.
Parents should also make sure to brush ‘with a fluoride toothpaste’ before going ‘even if they are tired’.
The RCS pointed out that tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions in children.
According to data from NHS England, around 19,381 children aged five to nine were admitted to hospital due to tooth decay in England alone in 2023/2024.
The warning comes after it was revealed that one in six children leave primary school with rotten teeth after binging on sweet treats and not brushing properly.
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities surveyed 53,073 children aged 10 and 11 and found that 16 percent showed signs of tooth decay.
The affected students had an average of two rotten teeth.
Nearly half of children were unable to go to the dentist last year and more than 5 million children now had an appointment late, according to figures released last month.
Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Daisy Cooper said: ‘It is a scandal that millions of children across the country are going without basic dental care.’
