Many would argue that everything is better in autumn. Football fans come out of hibernation, crunchy leaves excite the senses, and pumpkin lattes comfort the soul. Celebrate the season with these 5 spins on traditional fall favorites:
Take a nosedive into a bucket full of apples! And, if you’re awarded best bobber, your teeth will win too. Apples have a high water content, which helps dilute the sugar they contain. Crunchy fruits require chewing, which stimulates saliva flow and reduces leftover food particles.
Aw, shucks! Whether popped or on the cob, corn is one of our tooth-healthy fall favorites. Corn contains fiber, a mineral that can help reduce plaque. Additionally, popcorn contains high levels of polyphenols, a substance that suppresses tooth bacteria.
Don’t get us wrong — we love an occasional handful of candy corn. But make sure to brush and floss your pearly whites afterward for a sweet smile.
As long as it doesn’t get stuck in your teeth, lettuce is a scary-smart selection. Like apples, salad starters such as romaine and kale increase saliva flow, which helps eliminate plaque.
And if salad were a holiday, it would be Halloween. Dress it up and it becomes a celebration! Dress your lettuce with fresh fruit or lean protein. You can also make your own dressing. To keep teeth happy, try one of these low-sugar vinaigrettes.
Candy is to Halloween as blood is to Dracula. Indulge the holiday’s temptations — to a certain extent! Save some for the family, but enjoy your sweet stash in moderation.
After you perfect your pumpkin, make your ‘jack a snack! Pumpkin pulp is filled with enamel-building Vitamin A, fiber and potassium. Keep those seeds in sight too —pumpkin seeds are a good source of magnesium, a nutrient that can strengthen teeth.
Get out there and fall for the season (after you jump in a pile of leaves, of course).