PSA: Pumpkins are Beneficial to Your Oral Health!

Pumpkins are beneficial to your oral health

 

It’s officially Fall and we are nearing the month of the most notorious seasonal gourd to ever exist…the pumpkin! Considered a “super-food” by many, pumpkins are beneficial to your oral health! October is our greatest excuse to shamelessly take pumpkins a little overboard and celebrate them for the short amount of time we can. They’re rich in a multitude of vitamins and minerals that can be deemed as a friend to your teeth and gums. Assuming you love them as much as we do, we’re guessing your Google search history may contain the question, “how much pumpkin is too much pumpkin?” We’ve looked into it to find a few key benefits of pumpkins to share from a dental standpoint. 

Vitamin A:

Pumpkins contain a red pigment called beta-carotene which is responsible for making the fruit orange in color. Although too much beta-carotene is not toxic, when consumed in large amounts, it is known to give your skin a pumpkin-like glow! If you find yourself on your seventeenth serving of homemade pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving and notice your hands turning orange in color, do not worry! Our bodies covert beta-carotene into Vitamin A when consumed. Known for its healing properties and ability to promote healthy mucous membranes, vitamin A is ESSENTIAL for dental health and hygiene. By promoting the production of saliva, it ameliorates dry mouth which is necessary for counteracting bacteria growth in the mouth. It also helps in quickening the healing process for damaged gums and or oral wounds.

Vitamin C:

We all know and love our good friend Vitamin C! The amount of Vitamin C the fruit contains is another great reason why pumpkins are beneficial to your oral health. It’s a powerful antioxidant and like Vitamin A, known for its healing and restorative properties. Vitamin C aids in collagen production which is wonderful for your gums and the soft tissues in your mouth. If you suffer from bleeding gums, or gum disease, vitamin C helps in strengthening your gums. Stronger gums are more capable of protecting the roots of your teeth from harmful bacteria.

Antimicrobial Properties:

Another great reason to board the “no such thing as too much pumpkin” train is that there’s healthy value in even the SEEDS of the fruit! Enjoying the tasty roasted seeds as a snack, or a salad topper CAN be beneficial to your teeth. Pumpkin seeds are known for their antimicrobial properties. Antimicrobials are agents that hinder the production of harmful microorganisms like fungus and bacteria. Chewing the seeds can assist in fighting off bacteria in the mouth that can cause tooth decay.

Pumpkin-Obsessed? Pumpkins are Beneficial to Your Oral Health!

Because pumpkins are beneficial to your oral health, we will be the first to deem being an excessive fan of pumpkins as acceptable. You heard it here first folks! ProGrin Dental is PRO being a pumpkin fanatic this fall. Linked below is a delicious DIY pumpkin spice dessert recipe for you and your families to make together this Thanksgiving holiday!

DIY Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Trifles

 

 

 

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