Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing MI
Fall is a wonderful time when the temperature outside begins to cool, children look forward to Halloween, and parents start planning the year-end holidays. And for many people, it’s when their taste buds crave those fall flavors like cinnamon and pumpkin spice. Unfortunately, most treats infused with these flavors also are packed with sugar, fat, or other unhealthy ingredients that could also damage your teeth. So, today on the blog, our family dentist in Okemos, Dr. Christine Tenaglia, shares fall-inspired food that’s good for your oral health. That way, you can enjoy the flavors of fall without harming your teeth.
Apples
Candied apples and apple pie are popular treats in autumn. Whether you’re hosting a gathering of friends or family or taking part in a local fall festival, these treats aren’t hard to find around this time of year. However, candied apples and apple pies are loaded with sugar, which can damage enamel with prolonged or continuous exposure. Instead, choose to eat an apple in its raw state, which packs the biggest punch of nutrients and benefits your teeth, too. Still craving that apple-cinnamon flavor? Bake apples in the oven and sprinkle cinnamon on top to suffice your craving.
Crunchy foods like apples (in their raw form) help scrub your teeth and stimulate saliva flow, which is necessary to reduce cavities and rinse away bacteria and food residue. Keep apples as snacks in your lunch at the office, and throw some in your kid’s lunch box too.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is one of the first foods that come to mind when thinking of fall. Most everyone is aware of the pumpkin spice flavored coffee drinks sold at Starbucks. However, those coffee drinks are loaded with 50 grams of sugar in a 16-ounce serving! Just to put that into perspective, that is 12.5 teaspoons of sugar in one single drink. And unfortunately, most people consume sugar in other foods and beverages they eat every day. The daily recommended amount of sugar for women is no more than 24 grams and less than 36 grams for men.
Pumpkin provides many benefits to your health and your teeth. It contains zinc, magnesium, is rich in beta-carotene, and contains RDA, which helps your body process vitamin A. These nutrients help in different ways, from promoting good oral health, building strong enamel to resist cavities, reducing inflammation, and boosting the immune system. Get more pumpkin in your daily diet this fall by adding it to soups, oatmeal, or smoothies instead of pumpkin spice lattes. You can also roast pumpkin with other vegetables to add with lean meat for a tasty meal.
Pumpkin Seeds
High in protein, phosphorous, iron, and calcium, pumpkin seeds are a nutrient-packed treat for your teeth and your tummy. Their protein contents help curb hunger. Calcium and phosphorus help promote healthy teeth and gums, while iron helps keep your tongue healthy. You can add pumpkin seeds to salads, trail mix, oatmeal, bread, yogurt, or even snack on them plain.
Family Dentist in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing
Taking care of your health can often mean taking better care of your teeth and gums, too. This fall, reach for these healthier alternatives that provide necessary nutrients for your body and your mouth instead of sugar-filled treats. Remember to keep your teeth healthy by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your Okemos dentist twice a year for cleanings and checkups. Learn more or schedule an appointment by calling Tenaglia Smiles at (517) 347-6733 or contact us today.