It’s the time of year where pumpkins are everywhere. As you start incorporating them into your autumn decorations, it’s also a good idea to start using them in your diet to partake in their oral and overall health benefits. Filled with beneficial nutrients and vitamins, pumpkins can give your oral health a handy boost when consumed correctly. Although pumpkin flavored everything can taste divine this time of year, those treats contain excessive sugar that’s bad for your teeth and gums, so it’s better to enjoy pumpkin in its more natural form.
Healthy pumpkin treats
Pumpkin-flavored lattes and other drinks can contain so much sugar you reach your recommended maximum daily sugar intake in a single beverage. Other treats such as pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread also contain high amounts of sugar, so if you indulge, do so in moderation and brush or rinse your mouth afterward. Healthier pumpkin treats you can enjoy this season include pumpkin soup and pumpkin seeds.
Benefits of eating pumpkin
Pumpkins are high in fiber, which is beneficial to your overall health as they can aid in weight loss. This fact benefits your oral health because maintain a healthy weight helps you avoid issues such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, which can increase your risk of poor oral health and gum disease. Additional oral health benefits of pumpkin include:
- High in Zinc – Zinc deficiency can lead to weak bones and poor dental health but eating pumpkin can combat those issue because it’s high in zinc. Consuming pumpkin can be beneficial for patients with bleeding gums because zinc boosts gum health.
- High in magnesium – Tooth enamel is essential for protecting your teeth and the magnesium in pumpkins works together with calcium to strengthen enamel and resist tooth decay. Calcium needs magnesium to protect your teeth effectively because, without it, the enamel is softer and weaker.
- Vitamin boost – Pumpkin contains Vitamin A that promotes healing and can help damaged gums. Pumpkin also contains Vitamin C that can help strengthen your immune system and defend against oral infections.
Now that you know what benefits of pumpkin, you can feel even better about enjoying it this fall and through the upcoming holidays. As long as you avoid sugar-filled pumpkin flavored treats and opt for real, whole pumpkin options, your smile will thank you.
Keep your smile healthy, protected, and completed by contacting Greater Baltimore Prosthodontics today to discuss our variety of cosmetic and restorative dentistry services.