Tricks for Treats: How Park Slope Families Can Protect Their Smiles This Halloween

Halloween in Brooklyn is pure magic — Park Slope brownstones draped in cobwebs,

kids dressed as superheroes and witches filling the sidewalks, and, of course,

pillowcases overflowing with candy. While this “sweet season” is a treat for the

imagination, it can be a real trick on your teeth.

At Methal Dental Arts in Park Slope, we want families to enjoy the holiday while

keeping their smiles cavity-free. Here are our dentist-approved tips, myths busted,

and insider advice to make this Halloween both fun and healthy.

1. Choose Your Candy Wisely

Not all Halloween candy is equally scary for your teeth:

• Sticky candies (caramels, gummies, taffy): These cling to teeth and feed

bacteria longer than other sweets.

• Sour candies: Their acid levels can wear down enamel quickly.

• Hard candies (lollipops, jawbreakers): They last longer in your mouth and can even chip teeth.

• Chocolate: The lesser evil! It dissolves quickly, especially dark chocolate, which

  contains less sugar.

  
  

  Pro tip: If you’re raiding the candy bowl, pick chocolate first.

2. Timing Matters

It’s better to enjoy candy right after meals instead of grazing all night. During meals,

your mouth produces more saliva, which helps wash away sugar and neutralize acids.

Parents — this is a great way to set limits without spoiling the fun. Allow kids to pick 2–3

favorites after dinner, and tuck the rest away for later moderation.

3. Hydrate with Water

Every sugary bite should be followed by a sip of water. Water rinses away leftover sugar

particles, keeps the mouth moist, and encourages saliva production. Plus, Brooklyn tap

water contains fluoride — a natural cavity fighter.

4. Don’t Skip the Brushing and Flossing

Halloween night is not the night to skip brushing. Kids and adults alike should brush for

at least two minutes before bed. Flossing is especially important after sticky candies.

Make it fun: play a spooky song, use a glow-in-the-dark toothbrush, or set a monster roar timer for two minutes.

5. Busting Halloween Myths About Teeth

Even the spookiest holiday comes with a few tall tales. Let’s separate fact from fiction:

• Myth 1: Only candy causes cavities.

  • False. Cavities form when bacteria in your mouth turn any sugar (including

    juice, soda, even crackers) into acid. Candy just happens to be sugar-packed.

• Myth 2: Brushing right after candy keeps teeth safe.

  • Not always! Acidic candies temporarily soften enamel. Brushing immediately

    can cause more harm. Rinse with water first, wait 30 minutes, then brush.

• Myth 3: Sugar-free candy is totally safe.

  • Not quite. Sugar-free doesn’t always mean tooth-friendly. Some sugar substitutes are acidic, and sticky sugar-free candies can still damage enamel.

• Myth 4: Baby teeth don’t matter because they’ll fall out anyway.

  • Wrong. Healthy baby teeth are crucial for speech, chewing, and holding space for permanent teeth. Cavities in baby teeth can cause real pain and lead to long-term issues.

• Myth 5: A dentist can “fix anything” after the damage is done.

  • Prevention is always better (and cheaper!) than treatment. Regular checkups mean small issues stay small.

6. Best vs. Worst Halloween Treats for Teeth

If you’re sorting through your haul, here’s a quick ranking:

• Best bets: Dark chocolate, sugar-free gum, powdery candies that dissolve

  quickly.

• Moderation needed: Milk chocolate, marshmallows.

• Avoid when possible: Caramels, gummy bears, sour candies, jawbreakers.

7. Schedule a Post-Halloween Checkup

The best way to bounce back from candy season is a professional cleaning. If it’s been more than six months since your last visit, now is the perfect time to schedule. We’ll make sure your smile stays strong through the holidays and beyond.

Keep Brooklyn Smiling Bright

At Methal Dental Arts in Park Slope, we’re proud to serve families across Brooklyn

with personalized, modern dental care. Whether it’s your child’s first Halloween or your

own sweet tooth that needs attention, our team is here to help.

Call today to schedule your post-Halloween checkup with our Park Slope dentists — and keep your smile looking frightfully good all year long.