You’d think a dentist would be the one handing out toothbrushes on Halloween.

Not this one. He’s dishing out advice on which treats are the best and worst for kids’ teeth.

Dr Antony Benedetto, Lead Dentist at National Dental Care Erina, Chair of NDC’s Clinical Advisory Committee and a dad, has ranked 10 popular Halloween treats from best to worst for kids’ teeth. And if you’ve been reaching for the “no added sugar” lollies to feel a bit better about the whole thing, his number one pick might make you put them back.

A lot of parents would be surprised to hear a dentist recommending a Freddo over some lollies with no added sugar, but there’s a reason for it. Plain chocolate melts and clears from the mouth relatively quickly. A sticky lolly can get caught between kids’ teeth, while a lollipop might keep them sucking on sugar for half an hour. That doesn’t mean sugar doesn’t matter, but when it comes to choosing Halloween treats, parents need to think beyond the sugar content and consider how long those sweets stay in their kids’ mouths.

So it’s not just about how much sugar is in it. It’s about how long it hangs around in their mouth, how sticky or chewy it is, and how often they’re dipping back into the bag.

The ranking: best to worst for kids’ teeth

1. Cadbury Dairy Milk mini bars

The top pick. Chocolate that melts away fast, in a little size that stops the snacking getting out of hand.

2. Cadbury Freddo Frogs

The one Dr Benedetto gives out himself. Quick to melt and already portioned, so one is one.

3. Milk Chocolate Buttons

Just as good in the mouth, but there’s a catch. A big bag means little hands keep going back for “just one more”.

4. Naturally sweetened gummy snakes

No added sugar, but still chewy. That chew is what keeps them out of the top three.

5. Hard-coated chewy sweets

A crunchy shell with a chewy middle. Not a great combo for teeth, and even trickier if your kids have fillings.

6. Mixed jelly lollies

Sticky, sugary and way too easy to eat by the handful. They get wedged between teeth and keep kids coming back.

7. Firm fruit chews

“Fruit” in the name doesn’t mean much here. They start firm, turn chewy, and cling to teeth.

8. Sour straps

The trifecta nobody wants: sugar, acid and chew. That means a higher risk of decay, worn enamel and sticky leftovers on teeth.

9. Hard caramel chews

Tough to bite, gluey to chew. Bad news for teeth and any dental work they’ve already had.

10. Sugary lollipops

Dead last. Kids suck on them slowly, which means their teeth are bathing in sugar for ages.

Wait, What About the “Natural” Lollies?

That “no added sugar” label is reassuring, we know. But Dr Benedetto says the packet doesn’t tell the whole story. Cutting back on sugar does help teeth, but chewy lollies still hang around, and grazing all day keeps teeth exposed to sugars and acids over and over.

Fruit-based lollies aren’t off the hook either. Dr Jillian Fisher, Lead Dentist at National Dental Care Chermside and Vice Chair of NDC’s Clinical Advisory Committee, says they can be sticky, and the sugars from honey, syrups and fruit juice concentrate can still lead to decay.

“A fruit strap may contain real fruit, but from a dental point of view it can behave much more like a sticky lolly. It sits in the grooves of the teeth, which is very different from eating a fresh piece of fruit,” Dr Fisher said.

Why Eight-Year-Olds Are the Age to Watch

This bit surprised me. National Dental Care data shows almost one in five (18%) of its eight-year-old patients needed a filling in 2025. For five-year-olds it was around one in 10 (11%).

And it’s not a one-off. Eight-year-olds have had the highest filling rate of all NDC patients under 10 for three years running.

Meet the Halloween Witch (aka the Best Idea Ever)

Here’s my favourite part. Dr Benedetto has a family trick for stopping Halloween turning into a month of lollies.

“When my children were younger, we let them choose a few of the better Halloween treats and leave the rest out for the Halloween Witch to swap for a small present. It let them enjoy the occasion without having a giant bag of lollies hanging around for weeks,” Dr Benedetto said.

Kids still get the fun, and you don’t have a bulging bag in the pantry until Christmas. Winning.

Quick wins for little teeth, all year round

National Dental Care’s Four Simple Habits:

Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste made for their age, and help them get those back teeth.
Clean between their teeth where they touch, giving them a hand when they need it.
Keep sweet snacks small and skip the all-day grazing.
Make water the everyday drink and keep up regular check-ups.

Dr Benedetto’s advice is to keep sweets for special days like Halloween and birthday parties, keep portions small, and avoid grazing.

One More Thing Before the Year Runs Out

Worth a quick check: in 2025, one in four (25%) NDC patients under 10 used the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). If you’ve got private health extras, it’s also a good time to look at what you’ve got left and when your limits reset, especially if a check-up is due before the end of the year.

So go ahead, fill that bowl. Just maybe swap the lollipops for Freddos.

As Dr Benedetto puts it, “Halloween should be fun.” The goal is just “making sure one night of trick-or-treating doesn’t turn into weeks of snacking.”

For more information visit www.nationaldentalcare.com.au