Autumn’s Seasonal Hero Can Help Your Smile | Ottawa Dentist

Tonight, little humans all over Canada will set out around their neighborhoods looking for a bag full of sweet treats in exchange for a pledge not to trick. It’s a fair trade for most of these tiny ghosts and goblins. As parents, we need to take this time to not only instill good dental habits, but to teach moderation when it comes to things like Halloween candy.

We all know that not all candy is the same. Some are chewy, others crunchy – some have a fruit flavor while others are made of chocolate. It doesn’t matter the preference, candy is a certain treat that needs to be handled in moderation, or it will lead to cavities and other health issues.

One way to do this is by introducing another staple of the autumn season – apples. We bob for them at Halloween parties, snack on them covered in caramel and indulge in pies filled with them. But more than that, apples are really good for our smiles.

It’s true – this crispy fruit is fantastic for producing saliva, which is our natural way of keeping our mouths clean and bacteria free. Additionally, the fibers within the apple play an added role in cleaning our teeth in a way similar to a toothbrush. Now, it’s not a substitute… Apples are a healthy snack but shouldn’t replace your daily dental hygiene routine. These are just natural ways that you can improve your smile while enjoying a tasty treat.

So, while you are teaching your little ones about brushing their teeth after snacking on Halloween candy, why not switch up the seasonal snack with an apple from time to time?

For more information about smile-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

Can Halloween Be Good for Your Dental Health? | Ottawa Dentist

We all know that Halloween is a tough one on the teeth when it comes to all of the candy consumption. But did you know Halloween can actually have some health benefits? You may carve your pumpkin with a crooked grin, but it can work wonders on your own.

One cup of cooked pumpkin has 1.8g of protein, barely any (0.2g) of fat, and 12 g of carbohydrate. You will also get huge chunks of Vitamins A and C, and also Vitamin E, riboflavin, potassium, copper, manganese, thiamin, B6, folate and niacin, along with iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.

But that’s not all – not only is eating pumpkin great for you but snacking on the seeds themselves are is fantastic too! These tasty seeds not only give your system lots of fiber (there’s more than 5g in 1oz of pumpkin seeds), but you also get protein and calcium. So, how does it benefit your smile? Here are just a few:

Zinc. A study that tracked toothpaste usage with 0.5% zinc citrate found participants suffered from less bleeding gums.

Iron. Iron, which is found in pumpkin seeds, keeps your tongue healthy, so snacking will keep your mouth nice and healthy.

Magnesium. In order to take care of your tooth enamel, Magnesium works with calcium to create a hard enamel that resists tooth decay.

Vitamin A. Key to healing, Vitamin A is helpful for damaged gums, and a cup of pumpkin gives you all the Vitamin A you need in a day.

And while we all know this is pumpkin spice season, flavorings and spices don’t have the health benefits of actual pumpkin.

For more information about the benefits of Halloween, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.

Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.