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CRYSTAL FALLS -- Kids may enjoy a day filled with trick-or-treating, but it can be a ghoulish experience for some parents to watch them gobble up so much candy.

It's a spooky thought for dentists, like Dennis Hulbert, to think about the 41 million kids at risk of cavities.

"The secret is make sure they brush their teeth before they go to bed," explains Hulbert. "The candy itself won't cause decay...it's leaving sugary sweets on the teeth."

Anytime you eat candy, whether it's one piece or several pieces, it creates acid in your mouth for 30-60 minutes. The longer that acid lingers, the greater your risk becomes for tooth decay and cavities.

"It's the duration of time the sugar sticks to your teeth," Hulbert says.

He recommends kids brush their teeth for a minimum of two minutes after consuming the sugary sweets and says avoid anything sour or sticky.

"Gummy bears are already sour, and that tends to break down the enamel of your teeth," Hulbert explains. "And, of course, the gummy part, I mean, they're not kidding when they say that stuff will stick."