-
The unexpected Halloween hero. Mini Dairy Milks, Freddo Frogs and chocolate buttons top Dr Antony Benedetto, Dentist at National Dental Care’s ranking of 10 popular Halloween treats for kids' teeth.
-
Less sugar, better for teeth? Not always. Parents might assume lollies with no added sugar are the better choice for kids' teeth, but Dr Benedetto's ranking reveals why there's more to the story than sugar content alone.
-
Eight is the age to watch. Almost one in five (18%) eight-year-old patients at National Dental Care received a filling in 2025, the highest proportion among its patients under 10.
-
The Halloween Witch could save weeks of snacking. The dentist reveals how he swapped his children's leftover Halloween lollies for a small present to stop the treats lingering long after 31 October
MEDIA RELEASE - Sydney, 29 October, 2026: Less sugar, better for teeth? Not always. Parents stocking up for Halloween might assume lollies with no added sugar are the smarter choice. But a National Dental Care dentist dad's surprising ranking of 10 popular treats has plain chocolate claiming all three top spots – with mini Dairy Milks, Freddo Frogs and chocolate buttons beating even naturally sweetened gummy snakes.
Dr Antony Benedetto, Dentist at National Dental Care, is urging Australian parents to look beyond sugar content when choosing Halloween treats for their kids. His ranking considers how long sweets linger in the mouth, their texture and how often children snack. He even hands out plain chocolate to trick-or-treaters at his own front door.
"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," Dr Benedetto said.
The ranking comes as National Dental Care data reveals almost one in five (18%) eight-year-old patients received a filling in 2025, compared with around one in 10 (11%) five-year-olds. Eight-year-olds recorded the highest filling rate among patients under 10 for the third consecutive year.
Before you fill the Halloween lolly bowl: A dentist ranks 10 popular treats from best to worst
From Freddo Frogs to sour straps and lollipops, here's how 10 Halloween favourites stack up for kids' teeth:
1. Cadbury Dairy Milk mini bars: Antony's Halloween winner. Plain chocolate melts and clears from the mouth relatively quickly, while mini portions help keep snacking in check.
2. Cadbury Freddo Frogs: A dentist dad's trick-or-treat favourite. Quick-melting chocolate in individual portions, and Antony hands them out himself.
3. Milk chocolate buttons: Same chocolate, one catch. Big bags make it tempting for little hands to keep reaching for more.
4. Naturally sweetened gummy snakes: A sweetener swap doesn't change the chew. Despite having no added sugar, their chewy texture keeps them outside Antony's top three.
5. Hard-coated chewy sweets: Crunchy outside, chewy inside. A tricky combination for teeth, especially those with fillings.
6. Mixed jelly lollies: Sticky, sugary and easy to eat by the handful. These can get caught between teeth and encourage repeat snacking.
7. Firm fruit chews: Don't let the fruity name fool you. Firm at first, then chewy, making them harder to clear from teeth.
8. Sour straps: A triple threat for little teeth. Sugar, acidity, and chewiness can increase the risk of decay, enamel erosion, and lingering residue.
9. Hard caramel chews: Hard to bite, sticky to chew. A troublesome combination for teeth and existing dental work.
10. Sugary lollipops: The treat that overstays its welcome. Slow sucking means prolonged sugar exposure, putting these last on Antony's list.
Does 'natural' mean better for kids' teeth? A dentist says not necessarily.
A "no added sugar" label might sound reassuring to parents stocking up for Halloween, but Dr Benedetto says there's more to choosing tooth-friendly treats than what's written on the packet. While reducing sugar can benefit dental health, he warns that chewy sweets can linger around teeth, and repeated snacking throughout the day can increase exposure to sugars and acids. His advice is to save sweet treats for special occasions like Halloween and birthday parties, keep portions small and avoid grazing throughout the day.
And fruit-based lollies aren't necessarily a better bet. Dr Jillian Fisher, Lead Dentist at National Dental Care Chermside and Vice Chair of NDC's Clinical Advisory Committee, warns that fruit-based sweets can be sticky, while sugars from honey, syrups and fruit juice concentrate can contribute 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.
How can parents protect their kids' teeth beyond Halloween?
National Dental Care recommends four ways to help protect children’s teeth:
-
Brush twice daily with age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste, helping children clean their back teeth.
-
Clean between children’s teeth where they touch, with parental help as needed.
-
Limit sugary snacking by keeping portions small and avoiding grazing throughout the day.
-
Choose water as the everyday drink and keep up regular dental check-ups.
What if a Halloween treat causes a dental emergency?
While most Halloween treats can be enjoyed in moderation, Dr Benedetto warns that biting into hard lollies can sometimes cause chipped teeth, while persistent tooth pain should never be ignored.
"Halloween should be fun, but a chipped tooth from biting into a hard lolly or a sudden toothache can quickly put a dampener on things. A toothache that stops them eating, drinking or sleeping might be an infection or nerve damage, and it will not settle on its own. See a dentist as soon as you can. Same-day emergency dental appointments may be available at your local dentist, helping children get the care and pain relief they need as quickly as possible," Dr Benedetto said.
The Halloween Witch: A dentist dad's trick for avoiding weeks of leftover lollies
Dr Benedetto has a family tradition for making sure Halloween doesn't turn into weeks of snacking: the Halloween Witch. "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.
With Halloween putting children's dental health in the spotlight, NDC is also encouraging families to check what dental benefits they may be entitled to. In 2025, one in four (25%) NDC patients under 10 used the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). Families with private health extras cover can also check their remaining benefits and when their annual limits reset, particularly if a check-up is due before the end of the year.
Dr Benedetto says parents don't need to ban Halloween treats to protect their children's teeth. "Halloween should be fun. It's not about taking away the treats – it's about making sure one night of trick-or-treating doesn't turn into weeks of snacking," Dr Benedetto said.
For more information visit: www.nationaldentalcare.com.au.
ENDS
FAQs
What are the best Halloween treats for kids' teeth?
According to Dr Antony Benedetto, Dentist at National Dental Care, small portions of plain chocolate, such as mini Dairy Milk bars, Freddo Frogs and chocolate buttons, are among his preferred Halloween treats. Plain chocolate melts and clears from the mouth relatively quickly compared with sticky or slow-to-eat lollies. How often children snack also matters.
What are the worst Halloween lollies for kids' teeth?
Dr Antony Benedetto, Dentist at National Dental Care, ranks sugary lollipops last in his Halloween treat list because sucking on them can prolong sugar exposure. Sticky caramel chews, sour straps and other chewy lollies are also among his least-preferred options, as they can linger around teeth. Hard sweets may also pose a risk if children bite or crunch them.
Are naturally sweetened lollies better for kids' teeth than chocolate?
Not automatically. Dr Antony Benedetto, Dentist at National Dental Care, ranks naturally sweetened gummy snakes fourth in his Halloween treat ranking, behind three plain chocolate favourites, largely because of their chewy texture. While choosing treats with less sugar can help reduce sugar exposure, Dr Benedetto says texture, how long sweets linger in the mouth and snacking frequency also matter.
Is it better for kids to eat their Halloween lollies all at once or spread them out?
Eating a small amount of Halloween sweets on one occasion is generally preferable for teeth than repeatedly snacking on them throughout the day or over several weeks. Dr Antony Benedetto, Dentist at National Dental Care, says frequent and prolonged sugar exposure is an important consideration. This doesn't mean children should eat their entire Halloween haul at once; keeping portions reasonable is still important.
Are lollies made with natural fruit sugar better for kids' teeth?
Not necessarily. Dr Jillian Fisher, Dentist at National Dental Care and Vice Chair of NDC’s Clinical Advisory Committee, says parents should look beyond claims such as "made with real fruit". Fruit-based chews and straps can be sticky and linger around children's teeth, while fruit juice contains sugars and acids that can affect dental health. Fresh whole fruit is generally a better choice than processed fruit sweets.
How can parents protect their children's teeth during Halloween?
Dr Antony Benedetto, Dentist at National Dental Care, recommends keeping Halloween treats occasional, choosing sweets that don't linger in the mouth for long and avoiding repeated snacking throughout the day. Parents should also maintain regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste and routine dental check-ups. Eligible families may be able to access covered dental services through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.
About us:
About National Dental Care
National Dental Care is where Australians find a dentist they trust. Founded in Brisbane in 2013, it has grown from four dental clinics into one of Australia’s largest dental networks, with over 120 dental clinics across all states and territories, including the DB Dental group in Western Australia. More than 900 dentists, dental hygienists and oral health therapists work across the National Dental Care network. A national Clinical Advisory Committee of senior clinicians oversees clinical standards across the network.
Contact details:
Notes to editors
For further information, images, B-roll or interviews, contact: Sally Douglas | [email protected] | +61 431 004 5