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Fun Dip and lollipops top the list of Halloween candies hardest on teeth, but parents don't need to ban the treats

• Fun Dip takes the top spot: A new analysis of 30 popular Halloween candies ranks the sugary, sour powder as the toughest on teeth.

• It's not just about sugar: Acidity, stickiness, and how long candy stays in the mouth can also increase the risk of dental problems.

• Don't toss the trick-or-treat bag: A few simple habits, including eating candy after meals and rinsing with water, can help reduce the damage.

Halloween is almost here, which means kids everywhere are preparing for the most important annual event in candy acquisition. And parents are preparing to negotiate how much of that candy actually gets eaten.

But before you start confiscating the Reese's and Snickers, you might want to know which treats are actually the toughest on your kids' teeth.

A new October 2026 analysis from Direct Dental, a private dental clinic, examined 30 popular Halloween candies, looking at sugar content, acidity, and how long each treat typically stays in the mouth.

The results suggest some of the biggest dental troublemakers aren't necessarily the candies with the most sugar. Instead, it's often the ones that are extra sour, super sticky, or take forever to finish and thus spend the most time in your kids mouth.

Here are the 5 Halloween candies that are toughest on your teeth.

1. Fun Dip

Remember dipping that little candy stick into flavored sugar powder? Turns out, it's not exactly a dentist's dream.

Direct Dental ranked Fun Dip the worst of the 30 candies it examined, citing its high acidity and approximately 11 to 12 grams of sugar per pack.

That's roughly three teaspoons of sugar in one small treat.

2. Lollipops

The problem with the classic lollipop isn't just what's in them. It's how long kids keep the dang things in their mouths.

Some can take 15 to 30 minutes to finish, meaning teeth are exposed to sugar for an extended period of time.

And that lollipop you hand your child to buy yourself a few minutes of peace? The longer they suck on it, the longer their teeth are exposed to sugar.

3. Laffy Taffy

Sticky candy creates a different problem. Laffy Taffy can cling to teeth and get lodged in the grooves where bacteria thrive.

The analysis estimates roughly 10 grams of sugar in a piece, although amounts vary by size.

4. Caramel Apple Pops

Caramel Apple Pops combine two things dentists generally aren't crazy about: hard candy and sticky caramel.

They're slow to eat, and the caramel coating can linger on teeth.

5. Warheads

Warheads may contain less sugar per piece than some other popular treats, but their extreme sourness is the biggest concern.

The acids that are responsible for that mouth-puckering sensation can temporarily soften tooth enamel. So when kids get that exposure frequently, it can start to create some problems.

Rounding out the top 10 worst candies include some favorites like Pixy Stix, Fruit chews, Starbursts, Fruit roll-ups, and Dum Dums. Not surprisingly, these all have many of the same traits as the top five listed above.

How to let kids enjoy Halloween without the dental drama

The good news is that you don't need to be the parent who throws away your kid's entire trick-or-treat haul.

A few small changes can make a significant difference.

• Let kids eat candy after a meal. Saliva production increases during meals, helping wash away food particles and neutralize acids. It's generally better than letting kids snack on candy continuously throughout the day.

• Offer water afterward. A quick drink or rinse with plain water can help clear away some sugar and acids. It's especially useful after sour or sticky candy.

• Choose chocolate over sticky or sour candy. Plain chocolate generally washes away more easily than caramel, taffy, or gummies. That doesn't make it healthy, but it can be a more tooth-friendly choice.

• Don't rush to brush after sour candy. Acidic foods can temporarily soften enamel. The American Dental Association recommends waiting about an hour after consuming acidic foods before brushing. Keep up regular twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste.

The bottom line

Simon Hubbard, director of Direct Dental, says one of the biggest mistakes parents can make is letting Halloween candy turn into weeks of constant snacking.

Every additional piece means another exposure to sugar or acid. His advice? Enjoy the treats in one sitting rather than grazing all afternoon, then rinse with water.

And perhaps most importantly: remember that Halloween is supposed to be fun.

You don't have to cancel candy. Just be a little smarter about when and how your kids eat it.

New research highlights the risks of e-bike crashes for children and teens

• Children injured on e-bikes were nearly three times more likely to need surgery or hospitalization than those hurt on e-scooters.

• Researchers found that pediatric injuries involving both types of devices nearly quadrupled between 2019 and 2025.

• Speed, acceleration, and the weight of e-bikes may help explain why crashes involving these devices tend to cause more severe injuries.

Electric bikes and scooters have become increasingly common among young riders, but new research suggests the two devices may carry different risks when accidents happen.

A study from Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) found that children injured while riding e-bikes were more likely to experience serious injuries than those involved in e-scooter accidents. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the potential dangers associated with each type of device, particularly as more young people use them.

As these devices have become more common, we are seeing more injuries, researcher Bianca Edison, MD, MS, FAAP, FAMSSM, said in a news release. We wanted to better understand what those injuries looked like and put data behind what we were seeing.

How researchers studied e-bike and scooter injuries

To examine the differences, researchers analyzed 379 injuries involving children treated at CHLA between 2019 and 2025. The team compared injuries associated with electric bikes with those involving electric scooters to understand how often riders experienced serious outcomes.

The researchers also examined changes in injury cases over time and considered whether young riders were following Californias age and helmet laws.

The total number of injuries involving both types of devices climbed from 33 cases in 2019 to 124 in 2025, nearly quadrupling over the six-year period. Although e-scooters accounted for more than three-quarters of all injuries in the study, e-bike injuries represented an increasing share of cases.

The study was designed to compare injury patterns, not establish exactly why e-bike crashes tend to result in more severe injuries.

What the findings mean for families

The differences in outcomes were notable. Nearly half of the children injured on e-bikes sustained fractures, compared with 36% of those injured on e-scooters. More than one in four e-bike riders required surgery or hospitalization, compared with one in 10 e-scooter riders.

Potentially life-threatening injuries were also more common among e-bike riders, affecting nearly 9% of that group, compared with 2.8% of e-scooter riders.

Researchers suggested that speed could be one explanation. E-bikes can travel faster and accelerate more quickly than e-scooters. They are also heavier than traditional bicycles, and riders may travel longer distances on them, increasing their exposure to traffic and other hazards.

More than half of the injured riders in both groups were violating California age or helmet laws. However, following those laws alone was not associated with less-severe injuries in this study.

For families, the findings underscore the importance of considering the specific risks of each device rather than treating e-bikes and e-scooters as interchangeable.

Preventing these injuries will require safety strategies that account for the different risks associated with each type of device, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Dr. Edison explains. Our hope is that these findings can lead to more proactive ways to keep young people and our communities safe.

Fidelity outlines three possible scenarios

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A new Fidelity Investments analysis warns that Social Security's retirement trust fund could face a shortfall in 2032, potentially reducing benefits by 22% unless Congress acts.

• Lawmakers are considering three broad approaches to strengthen the program: changing benefits, raising payroll taxes, and bringing more workers into the system.

• Fidelity says future retirees should prepare for possible changes by increasing savings, considering when to claim benefits, and developing other sources of retirement income.

In the same month that the government announced a 3.6% increase in Social Security benefits in 2027, Fidelity Investments is imagining what 2032 would look like, assuming the trust fund runs out of money.

A new analysis by Fidelity Investments tries to predict how the looming shortfall would affect millions of retirees, just six years from now.

Without congressional action, continuing payroll tax revenue would cover only about 78% of scheduled retirement and survivor benefits. That could mean a 22% reduction in payments, costing an average married couple approximately $10,560 a year, according to Fidelity's estimates.

The problem stems largely from demographics. Americans are living longer, while declining birth rates mean fewer workers are contributing payroll taxes to support a growing population of retirees.

Social Security isn't expected to disappear. Even if its trust fund reserves are depleted, payroll taxes would continue providing money for benefits. However, those revenues would not be sufficient to pay everyone the full amount promised under current law.

Three ways Congress could address the problem

Fidelity identifies three broad approaches lawmakers are considering to strengthen Social Security's finances. Each would affect workers and retirees differently.

1. Change who receives benefits and when

One option would be to gradually increase the full retirement age, currently 67 for people born in 1960 or later.

Some proposals would eventually raise that age to 70 for higher-income workers. Others would change how benefits are calculated, potentially reducing payments for some retirees while increasing them for others.

There are also proposals to change benefits for spouses, survivors, and dependent children.

Such changes could have significant consequences for people approaching retirement, particularly those who have planned their finances around receiving benefits at a specific age.

2. Raise Social Security payroll taxes

Another approach would require higher-income Americans to contribute more to the system.

Currently, workers pay a 6.2% Social Security payroll tax, matched by their employers. In 2026, the tax applies only to the first $184,500 in annual earnings.

Some proposals would eliminate that earnings ceiling, requiring high earners to pay Social Security taxes on all their wages.

Others would preserve the existing ceiling but resume collecting the tax on earnings above $250,000.

Another possibility would increase the combined employer-employee payroll tax rate from 12.4% to 12.6%.

These proposals could generate additional revenue without directly reducing benefits, although they would increase taxes for affected workers and employers.

3. Bring more workers into Social Security

Fidelity notes that approximately 6.3 million state and local government employees do not participate in Social Security, generally because they are covered by separate public retirement systems.

One proposal would require newly-hired state and local government employees to join Social Security, expanding the number of workers paying into the program.

However, the financial impact might be relatively modest. Fidelity cites Congressional Research Service estimates suggesting that including these workers would close only about 4% of Social Security's long-term funding shortfall.

Other proposals would expand participation by increasing the number of legally employed foreign workers contributing payroll taxes or changing certain exemptions.

What a benefit cut could mean for retirement savings

Fidelity also examined what would happen if Congress failed to act and retirees were forced to make up the difference by withdrawing more money from their savings.

The firm considered a hypothetical retired couple with a $500,000 investment portfolio and Social Security benefits reduced by $10,560 annually.

To maintain their standard of living, the couple would initially need to withdraw an additional 2.1% of their portfolio each year.

Assuming annual investment returns of 7% and inflation of 2.5%, Fidelity calculated that the couple would withdraw approximately $118,000 over 10 years just to replace their lost Social Security income.

Including the investment gains they would have missed by withdrawing that money, the total impact on their portfolio could reach approximately $161,000 over the decade.

That example is illustrative rather than a prediction. Actual results would depend on market performance, inflation, and individual spending needs.

What future retirees can do now

While Congress debates possible solutions, Fidelity recommends several steps Americans can take to reduce their exposure to a potential benefit reduction.

One is to consider delaying Social Security benefits. Under current law, waiting until age 70 instead of claiming at full retirement age can increase monthly benefits by approximately 24% for someone whose full retirement age is 67. Claiming as early as age 62 can reduce monthly payments by as much as 30%.

Delaying benefits isn't necessarily the best choice for everyone, however. Health, life expectancy, employment, and other income sources should factor into the decision.

Fidelity also encourages workers to take advantage of retirement savings opportunities, including catch-up contributions available to people age 50 and older.

In 2026, workers can contribute up to $24,500 to many employer-sponsored retirement plans, with additional catch-up contributions available for older workers.

Another option is to create additional predictable retirement income through pensions or income annuities. Annuities can provide regular payments, although they also involve costs, restrictions, and trade-offs that consumers should understand before purchasing one.

Will Congress act before 2032?

Fidelity points out that Congress has confronted Social Security funding problems before. The most significant overhaul occurred in 1983, when lawmakers approved changes that included gradually increasing the full retirement age from 65 to 67.

Historically, major changes have been phased in over many years, often protecting people already receiving benefits.

That precedent offers some reassurance, but there is no guarantee lawmakers will follow the same approach this time.

The central message from Fidelity is that Americans shouldn't assume their future Social Security benefits will necessarily match today's projections.

For people approaching retirement, planning for several possible outcomes including smaller benefits may be the best protection against an uncertain future.

With respiratory viruses on the rise, know what you can do to stay healthy

• Johns Hopkins Medicine experts recommend staying current on vaccines for flu, COVID-19, and RSV, depending on your age and health risks.

• Simple habits, including washing your hands, improving ventilation, and wearing a well-fitting mask in crowded indoor spaces, can help reduce the risk of infection.

• Early treatment can make a difference, with antiviral medications for flu and COVID-19 working best when started within specific time frames.

As temperatures drop and people spend more time indoors, protecting yourself against respiratory illnesses becomes especially important. Flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can all cause illness, but there are steps people can take now to lower their chances of getting sick.

Johns Hopkins Medicine experts are encouraging people to prepare for the 2026-2027 cold and flu season by reviewing their vaccination options, practicing everyday prevention habits, and knowing when to seek treatment. Their guidance emphasizes that protecting yourself isn't just about what to do after symptoms appear. Taking precautions ahead of time can also help reduce the risk of infection.

Vaccines, prevention, and treatment matter

Vaccination is one of the key recommendations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu vaccine for most people ages 6 months and older. Getting vaccinated by the end of October is ideal, although vaccination later in the season can still offer protection. It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to help the body recognize and respond to the virus.

Johns Hopkins Medicine also recommends staying current on COVID-19 and RSV immunizations. Recommendations vary depending on age, pregnancy status, and the risk of severe illness, so people should talk with a healthcare provider about which options are appropriate for them.

Everyday habits can also help. Experts recommend washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer when necessary, choosing outdoor or well-ventilated spaces for group activities, and wearing a well-fitting mask in crowded indoor settings or around sick people. Getting enough sleep and staying hydrated are also important.

If you do become sick, treatment may help. Flu antivirals work best when started within two days of symptoms, while COVID-19 antivirals are most effective when started within five to seven days. Most RSV symptoms resolve within one to two weeks. Testing can help identify the infection and guide treatment, while severe or persistent symptoms warrant medical attention.

What this means for consumers

Preparing for respiratory virus season doesn't have to involve an elaborate routine. Checking your vaccine status, practicing good hand hygiene, and making thoughtful choices about crowded indoor spaces are practical places to start.

It's also worth knowing your options before you get sick. Because antiviral medications have specific treatment windows, contacting a healthcare provider promptly when symptoms develop may be especially important for people who could benefit from them.

Ultimately, the message from Johns Hopkins Medicine is to take prevention seriously while recognizing that different people have different needs. A healthcare provider can help you understand which vaccines and treatments are appropriate for your circumstances, giving you a clearer plan for navigating the months ahead.