Trillium Dental’s Dr. Mark Northcott Reveals Which Halloween Treats Damage Kids’ Teeth and Which Are Surprisingly Safe

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Trillium Dental's Dr. Mark Northcott Reveals Which Halloween Treats Damage Kids' Teeth and Which Are Surprisingly SafeAuthor of the article:OTTAWA, Ontario, Oct. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With Halloween approaching, Dr. Mark Northcott, co-founder of Trillium Dental and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from McGill University and Yale University, is advising Ottawa families on which Halloween treats cause the most dental damage. Dr. Northcott practices across seven Ottawa locations including Trillium Dental Alta Vista, Bayshore Mall in Nepean, Jackson Trails in Stittsville, Kanata, Orléans, Downtown Ottawa, and Westgate.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.The Treats That Do the Most DamageGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againDr. Northcott identifies sticky and chewy candies as the highest-risk category. Caramels, taffy, gummy bears, and gummy worms cling to tooth surfaces and lodge in the grooves of molars, creating prolonged acid exposure that saliva cannot neutralize as quickly as with candies that dissolve. Hard candies present a related concern: held in the mouth for an extended period, they bathe teeth in a continuous acid environment and carry a risk of chipping or cracking if bitten.“The issue is not the sugar itself so much as how long it stays on the teeth,” said Dr. Northcott. “Sticky candy glues itself to the enamel. A child who eats gummy candies and runs off to play is leaving that sugar on their teeth, and that is when the damage tends to happen.”The Treats That Are Surprisingly Less HarmfulPlain chocolate ranks among the lower-risk options; it melts and clears the mouth quickly without clinging to surfaces the way caramel or gummy candies do. Patients are often surprised that a chocolate bar is a better Halloween choice than a fruit-flavoured chewy candy, despite the fruit association. Sugar-free gum is another tooth-friendly option; it stimulates saliva production, helping neutralize acids and clear food particles.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.What Ottawa Parents Can Do After HalloweenDr. Northcott suggests enjoying Halloween treats alongside meals, as saliva production provides a natural buffering effect. Brushing teeth 30 minutes after consuming candy and drinking water afterward reduces Halloween’s impact on dental health. Families can book post-Halloween checkups at any Trillium Dental location. Trillium Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan and accepts new patients.Trillium Dental is an Ottawa dental practice with seven locations and a team of more than 20 practitioners. The practice accepts new patients and participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan.orleans@trilliumdental.caThis advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.