Dr. Michael Irlin offers simple ways for families to enjoy trick-or-treating while looking after kids’ teeth
New York, New York, United States, 29th Oct 2026 – With Halloween falling on Saturday, Oct. 31, Brooklyn kids are getting ready to bring home bags full of candy. Dr. Michael Irlin of Family Smile Dental, a dental practice with offices in Sheepshead Bay and Midwood, is sharing practical tips to help parents keep the holiday fun and their children’s teeth healthy over the weekend and the days that follow.
The trouble with trick-or-treat candy
Sugar feeds the bacteria that naturally live in the mouth. Those bacteria produce acids that can wear down tooth enamel and lead to cavities, and the longer sugar stays on the teeth, the more time those acids have to work. Sticky, chewy and slow-dissolving candies tend to cling to teeth, which is why the way kids eat their treats matters along with how much they eat.
“Halloween is one of the most fun nights of the year for kids, and we don’t want parents to feel they have to take the fun out of it,” said Dr. Irlin. “What matters most is how often and for how long sugar stays on the teeth. A few small habits go a long way.”
Dr. Irlin’s five Halloween tips for parents
- Have a filling meal before heading out. Kids who head out with a full stomach are less likely to snack on candy along the route. Water is a good companion for the evening, too.
- Enjoy candy at set times, not all day. Eating treats in one sitting, ideally with or right after a meal, exposes teeth to sugar for a shorter time than nibbling for hours. Saliva production is higher during meals, which helps rinse teeth.
- Be mindful of sticky and slow-dissolving candy. Taffy, caramels, gummies and hard candies stay on teeth longer than most chocolate. Children with braces are usually advised to avoid hard and chewy candy that can damage brackets and wires.
- Rinse with water, then brush and floss as usual. Brushing for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, plus flossing daily, still applies on Halloween night, even when bedtime runs late.
- Make a plan for the leftover candy. Let kids choose a few favorites, then put the rest out of sight or set it aside to share or donate. Fewer treats within reach means fewer sugar exposures during the week.
“The goal isn’t perfection,” said Dr. Irlin. “It’s having a simple plan: candy at set times, water afterward, and brushing before bed.”
Serving Brooklyn families from two neighborhoods
Family Smile Dental cares for children and adults at two Brooklyn offices: 2937 Avenue V in Sheepshead Bay and 1985 Ocean Avenue, Suite 1-D, in Midwood. The dentists at both offices work with families from across the borough, and the team speaks English, Russian, Uzbek and Ukrainian.
“We work in these neighborhoods, and we see how much Halloween is part of community life here,” said Dr. Irlin. “We would much rather help parents plan ahead than deal with problems later. If you have questions about your child’s teeth after the holiday, or it has been a while since their last checkup, our teams at both offices are happy to help.”
About Family Smile Dental
Family Smile Dental is a family dental practice with two locations in Brooklyn, New York, in Sheepshead Bay and Midwood. The practice offers general, restorative, cosmetic and pediatric dental care, as well as emergency care, for patients of all ages. Visit familysmiledentist.com to learn more or book an appointment.
Media Contact
Organization: Family Smile Dental
Contact Person: Dr. Michael Irlin
Website: https://familysmiledentist.com/
Email: Send Email
Contact Number: +19179209597
Address: 2937 Avenue V
Address 2: 1985 Ocean Avenue, Suite 1-D
City: New York
State: New York
Country: United States
Release id: 50280
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Family Smile Dental Shares Halloween Dental Care Tips for Brooklyn Parents
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Atlantic Brief journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.