What your child brings home in the Halloween trick-or-treat bag can be more frightening than any goblin, especially the chewy, gooey candy that can stick to little teeth as well as little fingers.
Not all candy is created equal when it comes to cavities. Some types of treats are more tooth friendly than others. So when little super heroes and princesses roam neighborhoods, the kind of candy they receive may affect their future oral health.
Candy with caramel, taffy or other sticky qualities can adhere to molars. Lollipops, jawbreakers or candies that stay in the mouth a long time also have a higher risk of causing tooth decay, according to Stanton Cobb, assistant professor of restorative sciences at the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry.
When shopping for candy, Dr. Cobb recommends choosing the kind most likely to stay in the mouth a short time. One suggestion: small pieces of chocolate, such as chocolate bars and kisses.
Besides sugary treats, look for alternatives such as sugar-free gum and candy or novelty items. Some dental school folks give away toothbrushes to their Halloween visitors.
“Children are still more likely to eat candy, so parents should be vigilant about making sure they brush afterwards,” said Dr. Cobb.
So this Halloween, make sure the only scary teeth in your household are
part of a costume. 
This information is provided as a service by the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry. For more information, contact your dentist.
H.E.A.D.s Up is a monthly column that features articles on a wide array of Health, Exercise And Diet issues. Information for these articles is provided by health and wellness professionals from throughout the A&M System. If you have questions or story ideas for this column, email Ruth McMullan.