Fall is right around the corner, which means now is the time when families start to enjoy pumpkin spice, apple pie, and other wonderful treats. While the harvest season is definitely a great time for food, it’s also a time when it’s important to pay close attention to your dental health as well as your child’s.

But how can you take good care of your teeth while also enjoying all that fall has to offer? After all, candy corn isn’t exactly cavity-friendly. To help you keep your teeth as happy and healthy as a Jack O’ Lantern this fall, here are a few tips you can use.

Choose Healthy Fall Snacks

One of the great things about fall is that many healthy fruits and vegetables are now in season. While indulging in candy every so often isn’t something to be worried about, if you’re looking to eat some dental-friendly foods this season, some of the best fall snacks for your teeth include:

• Apples: Apples are great not only for your health but also for your teeth. Apples are porous and they act as a gentle sponge on your teeth while you chew. The skin also performs as a kind of natural dental floss, removing plaque and other food particles from between your teeth.
• Pumpkins: Pumpkins aren’t just great for carving. They’re also great for cooking and baking. Pumpkin is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and it contains zinc, which is a beneficial mineral for your teeth and bones. It also contains magnesium, which works alongside calcium to protect your teeth and keep them strong.
• Pumpkin seeds: If your kids aren’t thrilled at the idea of eating squash, they can snack on pumpkin seeds instead. Pumpkin seeds are great sources of fiber, phosphorus, protein, iron, and calcium, which can help to keep your kids’ enamel strong.
• Cranberries: Yogurt and kombucha aren’t the only foods that can give your body’s good bacteria some extra strength. Cranberries contain polyphenols, which help your body fight back against the bad bacteria in your mouth. This reduces your child’s risk of cavities and helps to protect their enamel. Just be sure that the cranberry-related foods and drinks you snack on are low in sugar.

Drink Fall Drinks Low in Sugar

It’s not only better for your child’s overall health but also your child’s dental health to avoid fall drinks that are high in sugar. The reason for this is because sugar can cling to the surface of your teeth and feed the bacteria in your mouth. When your mouth’s bacteria digest these sugars, they produce acids, which can wear away your teeth’s enamel over time and produce cavities.

The good news is that there are many fall drinks that are low in sugar that you can enjoy. One such drink is apple cider. Apple cider contains potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It also contains polyphenols, which act as antioxidants for your body. Chai tea is also a popular fall beverage that provides plenty of flavor without any sugar (unless it’s added).

Choose the Right Candy

Candy is a big part of autumn, especially when Halloween rolls around. Some candies are actually better to eat than others. Chocolate, for instance, is surprisingly a good choice because it can be eaten quickly and doesn’t stick around on your child’s teeth. However, suckers and taffy introduce a lot of sugars to your child’s teeth and those sugars can linger, increasing the risk of cavities.

Make a Dentist Appointment

If you haven’t scheduled your child’s appointment with their pediatric dentist just yet, now is the time to do it. Regular dental checkups are essential for keeping your child’s teeth happy and healthy. Approximately one out of every seven children in the U.S. has at least one untreated decayed tooth. Children with cavities in their baby teeth are more likely to develop cavities in their adult teeth. Untreated cavities can also be painful for your child. Visit your local pediatric dentists in Dulles VA or the surrounding areas to help keep your child’s teeth in great shape all year round.

Don’t have a pediatric dentist yet? No problem. The professional kids dentists at Smilez Pediatric Dental Group have you covered. Contact us to schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist today.