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You might think that, as a dentist, I’m mainly worried about teeth on a holiday like Halloween. But that’s not the case. What really concerns me is the culture of candy worship and how it sets kids up for an unhealthy relationship with food later in life—not to mention the systemic effects of all that sugar and artificial coloring.
Think back to your childhood. Remember when you first heard about the free candy in the neighborhood? All you had to do was put on a silly costume and disguise yourself. We jumped at the chance! We collected piles of candy, yet we were also told not to “take candy from strangers” the rest of the year. Are we sending the wrong message to our children?
In the U.S., we spend between $2 to $4 billion on Halloween candy every year. That’s a staggering amount! What does that mean for dental costs and childhood obesity? Halloween is the second largest commercial holiday in America, even bigger than Valentine’s Day, raking in $6.9 billion each year.
Now, let’s talk solutions. I think when dentists buy back candy it just confuses kids and gives the candy some artificial value (not to mention artificial coloring). And where does that candy end up anyway? 🤔If I were a kid, I’d think, “If the dentist is paying for this stuff, it must be valuable!”
As a much younger dentist, I used to pass out apples and toothbrushes, but as you can imagine, that didn’t last long. It didn’t take me long to realize that fighting the candy is a LOSING BATTLE for us parents.
The better solution? Focus on the adventure of trick-or-treating with friends and family, dressing up, carving pumpkins, reading spooky books together, or listening to Halloween podcasts and watching Halloween movies.
🌟The more you focus on these non-candy elements of the holiday, and the more you create strong family traditions around them, the more you inoculate your child against candy worship culture.
👉Another tip: Before heading out for trick-or-treating, make their favorite meal—ideally something with healthy fats and protein to keep them satisfied. Keep water available to help wash away the sugar, and of course, don’t forget a thorough brush and floss session before bed.
Moderation is key. Halloween can be fun without creating bad habits or unhealthy relationships with food. Let’s break the cycle of “candy worship” by swapping some of that Halloween candy for better treats from the Great Pumpkin—like books, a new bike, or a fun family outing. 👉Something I’d like to teach my children are real treats.
I invite you to reply to this email and share what strategies have worked for your family.
👉If you know another parent who could use this information, please forward this letter to them.
Wishing you all a fantastic Halloween!
Warmly,
Dr. Mark Burhenne
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