Have your candy and eat it too! 5 tips to counteract candy consumption

Happy-HalloweenWe all know what it’s like to be a kid on Halloween. From the excitement of getting dressed up to the fun of touring the neighborhood for candy, Halloween is, for some, the event of the fall. We in the dental care industry often get the reputation of being the Scrooges of the Halloween season, but instead of telling you not to eat candy (we know you’ve heard it before) we wanted to provide you with a few ways to offset the issues that can come with eating candy:

 

1.) Moderation

The easiest way to avoid over-indulging on Halloween is to limit how much candy your kids eat. Whether you have them carry a smaller container or simply set a number of pieces allowed, moderation is vital to stopping cavities (and tummy-aches).

2.) Brush

Have your children brush their teeth shortly after they finish eating their candy. The less time sugar has to get to work on their teeth, the better.

3.) Floss

Going hand-in-hand with brushing after eating is, of course, is flossing. All those sweets will be squeezing its way in between teeth and getting in those spots that are difficult to brush, so flossing is essential in stopping sugar from settling in overnight.

4.) Eat before going out

Having dinner right before trick-or-treating can help cut down on snacking during the walk, which will allow you to keep better track of what your kids eat afterward.

5.) Avoid sticky, gooey candies

You know the kinds: Laffy Taffy, Starbursts, Skittles, etc. These types of candies are often loaded with sugar and are much harder to brush and floss away.

 

By following these easy tips, you can help your kids avoid cavities, tooth decay, and more. We hope you and your children to have a fun and safe Halloween!

Pumpkins: Half Decoration, Half Superfood

Health benefits of pumpkins

Pumpkins have many health benefits, especially for your mouth and oral hygiene!

It’s hard to think of fall without imagining the colorful foliage, ripe apples, and the all-star autumn symbol—the pumpkin. From jack-o’-lanterns in October to pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, pumpkins are ubiquitous in our fall traditions. They adorn our doorsteps and are even spicing up our breads, beers, and lattes. What many people don’t know, though, are the healthful benefits that pumpkins can provide.

Pumpkin is a fantastic source of Vitamin A, with one serving (one cup mashed) providing 245% of your daily value and 19% of your daily Vitamin C. Vitamin A is a bone strength booster that will fortify your teeth and Vitamin C strengthens connective tissues like your gums, providing an effective one-two punch for your oral health.

The benefits of eating pumpkins don’t stop there. Just a quarter-cup of pumpkin seeds will get you almost half the daily value of magnesium, which benefits your blood pressure, aids in proper bone and tooth formation, and assists in a host of other physiological functions. An ounce of seeds will provide you with 2mg of zinc, which helps with your mood, sleep, immunity, eye and skin health, and more. Americans are generally deficient in both of these minerals, but eating pumpkin seeds will help get you back on track!

Pumpkin puree and pumpkin seeds are rich in plant-based omega-3 fats, antioxidants, fiber, iron, and calcium. It can be very easy to work pumpkin into your diet, especially in the fall when they’re in high stock. To get the most out of pumpkin seeds, they should be eaten raw (and preferably sprouted). For an idea on how to utilize pumpkin puree, check out this super healthy Pumpkin Pie Parfait recipe.