Everywhere you turn these days we’re bombarded with the flavor of the season – pumpkin spice!
It’s in our lattes, donuts, Oreos, cereal, popcorn, cupcakes… and even cough drops! You either like it or you don’t.
If you’re a pumpkin lover, the next couple of months are probably your favorite time of year.
But what does all that pumpkin mean for your health – and for your teeth?
While pumpkins themselves are filled with vitamins and nutrients, many of the yummy treats that they star in are loaded with sugar and calories. When you over-indulge in those rich, creamy coffees or bite into that delicious pumpkin bread or pie, you might want to think again.
Your morning coffee for fall can contain up to 50 grams of sugar depending on the size — that’s the maximum you should consume in one day!
Pumpkin Can Keep You Smiling
If you want to keep smiling, stick to wholesome, teeth-friendly pumpkin fall foods and snacks. For example, a delicious pumpkin soup is healthy way to satisfy your cravings.
Check out what makes pumpkins a superfood for your teeth:
Zinc – Zinc deficiency is often associated with poor dental health and weak bones. If you have trouble with bleeding gums, zinc from pumpkins can help. A study that tracked toothpaste usage with 0.5% zinc citrate found participants suffered from less bleeding gums.
Magnesium – If you have weak enamel, magnesium, combined with calcium can strengthen enamel and make it resistant to tooth decay.
Vitamins A & C – Vitamin A found in pumpkins promotes healing, which can be great for damaged gums. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system to fight off infections of the mouth.
As for you overall health, pumpkins are high in fiber and helpful in weight loss. Your overall health and your oral health are go hand in hand. If you have heart disease or are over weight, you can be at higher risk for gum disease.
Pumpkin soup is a delicious, and contains less fat and calories that sugar-filled pumpkin treats.
Local pumpkin farms will have you saying, “Oh, my gourd!”
Pumpkin season also means wholesome family fun at the pumpkin farm. Our staff is sharing some of their favorite local places to visit for the best pumpkin picking, hayrack rides, corn mazes and more:
Alstede Family Farms, Chester
At Alstede Family Farms you will njoy safe, healthy, nutritious produce, food festivals and pancake breakfasts, Fall Festival, Harvest Moon Hayrides, Giant Corn Maze, friendly farm animals, Farm Camp, and Family Fun Activities including pony rides, bounce house and more.
Wightman Farms, Morristown
Wightman Farms invites you to come out and fall in love with their farm! They offer hayrides, a pumpkin slingshot, pick your own apples, a hay maze and more!
Melick’s Town Farm, Califon
Come out to Melick’s starting weekends in October for a horse drawn wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch so you can select your own pumpkins still growing on the vine. They also have hay wagon rides at the Cider Mill and Orchards in Oldwick.
Do you have a favorite pumpkin farm that is not mentioned above? Tell us where you love to go for fall, family fun in the comments below and then get out there and get your pumpkin on!
Dr. Mike Mavrostomos is passionate about providing top-quality, comprehensive dental care. He is located in Bedminster, NJ whose continual pursuit of education and state-of-the-art dentistry has led to his being recognized as one of New Jersey’s Top Dentists by the New Jersey Top-Docs committee.