Food many will have at home this month ‘could boost oral health’

It could be a surprising seasonal boost for your teeth and gums, according to one dentist

Pumpkins are a seasonal must-have in autumn, whether it’s decorating for Halloween or brewing up some soups, roasts and other toasty meals as the temperature gets colder. One dentist revealed that the vegetable could also have some major benefits for your mouth health.

Dr Raj Juneja, principal dentist at Face Teeth Smile Dental Clinics, explained: “As a dentist, I often remind patients that good oral health depends on more than just brushing and flossing; it’s also influenced by the nutrients we consume.

“Pumpkin is rich in zinc, iron, magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin A. All of which play key roles in maintaining a healthy mouth. Vitamin A helps support tooth enamel and the mucous membranes inside the mouth, while vitamin C strengthens gum tissue and helps prevent bleeding or inflammation.

“Just one cup of pumpkin provides your entire daily requirement of vitamin A and about 20 per cent of your vitamin C intake. This makes it a simple, delicious way to give your smile a seasonal boost.”

The dentist also recommended a handful of roasted pumpkin seeds as a convenient way to get a nutritional boost on the go. These seeds are high in magnesium, which can boost the strength of your tooth enamel and help your teeth resist decay.

One serving of pumpkin can count as one of your five-a-day for fruits and vegetables, as recommended by the NHS. This is equal to an 80-gram portion or roughly three heaped tablespoons of cooked and diced pumpkin.

While pumpkin might be a seasonal favourite with some surprising health effects, a number of other autumn classics aren’t quite as good for your teeth, according to the expert. Particularly, the amount of sweets and sugar circulating in October.

The dentists specifically warned people against having sticky or chewy sweets that cling to the teeth and lodge in grooves, making it difficult to remove and allowing bacteria to feast on the stuck sugars and increases your risk of tooth decay.

Sour sweets can also cause some damage because of the combination of sugar and acid, which can erode the enamel around your teeth.

While giving up the sweet treats entirely will likely benefit your teeth and overall health the most, the dentist offered a compromise. Instead of sticky or sour sweets, opt for some melt-in-your-mouth alternatives.

He explained: “If you want to enjoy something sweet, a small piece of dark chocolate is a better option. It contains less sugar and melts away quickly, making it less likely to linger on your teeth.

“Alternatively, sugar-free gum can be a helpful choice. Chewing gum stimulates saliva flow, which naturally washes away sugars and acids, strengthens enamel, and helps maintain healthy gums.”