Do you have pumpkin pie leftover from Thanksgiving? You may be one of the few that do; but the good news is that pumpkin is extremely healthy for your smile. Now, mind you, the sugar in the pie isn’t all that great, but with proper brushing and flossing, a small piece here or there is fine. Our dentist Ballwin residents continue to visit for their preventative dentistry needs has no problem with allowing patients to treat themselves to a dessert from time to time. Our team only wishes that you practice great oral hygiene tactics every day so that your smile lasts a lifetime
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A Look at Pumpkins and your Oral Health
Is pumpkin pie healthy?
The short answer is not so much due to the amount of sugar used to sweeten the pumpkin. However, with that in mind, there are some great benefits to our oral health found in pumpkins. Adding whipped cream to the top of your slice doesn’t help, but a little dollop used sparingly isn’t that awful, provided you brush and floss regularly. Brushing your teeth and flossing after eating sweets is essential to reducing your risk of cavities and tooth decay. We also recommend visiting your Ballwin dentist for regular checkups to ensure your smile is in good order.
A brief history about pumpkins
Pumpkins have been around for quite a while, dating back to 5500 B.C. In the last 5 centuries its popularity has increased because of the ease in which it grows and the health benefits. The pumpkin has a fun history and is responsible for postponing Thanksgiving due to a molasses shortage and the inability for townsfolk to make pumpkin pie. It has been commercialized making it available all year round thanks to the great minds at a canning factory. Pumpkins have been included in a wide variety of dishes dating back as far as the 1500’s.
Oral health benefits and pumpkins
This fiber-packed and low-calorie orange vegetable is healthy not only for our bodies, but for our smiles. Pumpkins are filled with large amounts of vitamins A and C. Our Ballwin dentist encourages you to add it to your weekly diet. Pumpkin helps your body build strong teeth and enamel, while aiding your digestive system. It helps your body repair soft tissues like your gums and keeps your smile in good shape.
So, pumpkin pie isn’t all that bad for you. For better health benefits incorporate the vegetable into more of your meals. Follow us on social media to learn more about the great ways to keep your teeth healthy as part of a preventative dentistry measure or talk with us at your next scheduled appointment.
If stuffing is on your menu for the next few holiday dinners, consider preparing it with apples, carrots, or celery. Not only will these keep your stuffing moist, which is softer for your teeth and needs less of your saliva to send through your digestive system, but they add vitamins and nutrients to support your health. Vitamins A and C support your immune system, saliva production, and digestion.
Happy Autumn from your Ballwin dentist team! As the weather changes and our schedules fill up with activities, it’s important to stay on top of your health and safety. Keeping a routine for your oral health, hydration, and safety will help your body run smoothly and minimize emergency dentist or doctor visits. Here are a few important reminders to stay on track and treat your body well this fall.
Acute tooth pain is centralized to a specific area for less than six months, and chronic tooth pain lasts longer. If you feel either, let’s identify and treat it immediately. Cavities can show up as a toothache. A decayed root canal can cause severe pain. Our experienced Ballwin dentist office team treats all tooth pain.
Our Ballwin dentist and the ADA agree that the recommended length of time to brush is for at least two minutes, twice a day. If this sounds like longer than your typical brushing session, consider buying an electric toothbrush that times you. You can also brush each quadrant for at least thirty seconds. Find a song you enjoy at least two minutes long, and play it when you brush your teeth. If the kids need some assistance, there are some great apps that can help them brush the full length of time.
Everyone can have a beautiful smile. After all, only a small percentage of people actually require little to no assistance with their smile. Teeth whitening procedures brighten smiles, braces straighten teeth, and cosmetic dentistry gives Ballwin dentist patients new smiles. A great smile significantly impacts your life. People look younger with a healthy smile, feel better about themselves, and have more confidence among their peers and co-workers.
Veneers are a wonderful solution when you experience the following with your smile: Stained or discolored teeth that don’t respond with normal teeth whitening services Gaps between teeth Chipped or fractured teeth Teeth that are uneven Aside from the above reasons, our Ballwin dentist can instruct you on how our veneers even out your smile and make it look great day after day.
Your smile is your own signature; the first thing people notice about you and a way for them to learn more about you. As the dentist Ballwin patients have trusted for their preventative dentistry and oral health needs, talk to us about your smile and teeth whitening procedures. Do you want whiter teeth? Is your smile as bright as it could be? What do you do to protect and maintain your smile? There are many things you may do on a daily basis that compromise your smile without you knowing. So, if you find yourself wishing for whiter teeth, schedule an appointment with our Ballwin dentist. You can also keep the following tips in mind:
The flu virus is contagious and spreads through coughs, saliva, and sneezes. Flu symptoms take a few days to appear once a person has contracted the flu virus. Various types of flu strains exist. The flu is most prevalent during the colder months of the year. Typically, the season runs from October to March, but it isn’t uncommon to get the flu in the summer months, too. The flu virus can live on hard surfaces for nearly 2 days. It can survive on clothing for 12 hours. When caring for yourself or a loved one who has the flu, wash your hands often. It is also important to keep surfaces and areas that are shared with others clean. Wipe down door handles and remote controls. Keep phones, computers, and tablets clean with microfiber towels and only use with clean hands. Be mindful when doing laundry to wash your hands after handling clothes carrying the virus.
One of the first ways to get started on your resolution is to just pick up the phone. Schedule a consultation with our Ballwin dentist. Talk with us about your smile and what you’d like to change. While basic dental insurance plans cover dental examinations and other preventative dentistry measures, you may be surprised to learn that certain restorative dental services are available to you, too. After calling our office, call your insurance provider. We work with your dental insurance companies on a daily basis to help you get your new smile.
Happy Halloween from your Ballwin dentist team! We know many of you are gearing up for a night of tricks and treats and wish you a safe, fun time. Halloween is one of the oldest holidays and truly a great time for laughter and entertainment. While customs vary from city to city, one constant remains the same: candy! So, we would be remiss to let the day go by without reminding you and your children about your oral health.