It's PUMPKIN Season! 🎃 6 Pumpkin Health Benefits

It's officially fall and pumpkin spiced EVERYTHING is out on the shelves! Access Dental and Dentures cares deeply about your health and we're here to let you know the possible health benefits of pumpkin in today's blog. Keep reading to learn how the autumn season can help you be healthier with all the extra pumpkin available to you! 

Packed with Vitamins 

Pumpkins have a lot of incredible nutrients to help your body fight off infection and feel great even through the common cold season. Beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, and folate are all prevalent in pumpkins. These nutrients help increase white blood cell production and strengthen your immune system.

Protect Your Eyesight

Eyesight is precious, and it starts diminishing for just about everyone as they age. Pumpkin actually has quite a bit of beta-carotene in it, which converts into vitamin A in your system. Vitamin A is an incredibly important nutrient for eye health. Some studies have even shown that high levels of vitamin A can lower your risk of getting cataracts.

Weight Loss

Pumpkin is a nutrient-dense food with a high volume of water (about 94%). That means you get full faster and stay full for longer when you eat it. There are also only about 50 calories per cup of pumpkin, making it a very healthy food that could help you lose weight. 

Antioxidants

Antioxidants can be incredibly beneficial to your health. They help neutralize something called free radicals in your body. Free radicals aren't all bad, as they do destroy harmful bacteria. But, too many free radicals can put a lot of stress on your body making you sick and more prone to disease. The antioxidants in pumpkin include alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. 

Heart Health

Pumpkin contains Potassium, Vitamin C, and fiber - all nutrients that can help keep your heart healthy. Potassium in particular helps lower blood pressure and can reduce your risk of strokes.

Healthy Skin

The beta-carotene in pumpkin turns into vitamin A in your body. In fact, it has 245% of the recommended amount of vitamin A a person should have every day. Vitamin A is great for your skin. Beta-carotene also has the ability to act like a natural sunblock, protecting your cells from UV damage. In addition to beta-carotene, pumpkin contains lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin E, and vitamin C... All nutrients that are known to help keep your skin healthy and happy. 

Hello, Fall! 

So, let's all celebrate the fall season with more pumpkin in our diets! While a pumpkin spice latte isn't the place to get your pumpkin for the day (it's actually just flavored spices), there are still a lot of great ways to enjoy this great food. Roast it with some salt and pepper, or used canned pumpkin in your next recipe (just make sure it doesn't have added ingredients like sugar or oil). To make sure your mouth is stay healthy too, contact Access Dental and Dentures to set up your next appointment at the office nearest you! 

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

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Chewing Gum - Good or Bad for Your Health?

Do you love chewing gum? Some people like to chew gum to help their breath, some like to keep their mouths busy (especially if they're trying to break a habit), and some studies have even showed that people chewing gum are seen as more "cool" and laid back. But... Have you ever thought about whether or not chewing gum is good for your teeth? Access Dental and Dentures is here to help answer that question today! Keep reading to find out!

It Can Harden Enamel

Xylitol is oftentimes found in chewing gum and offers the benefit of reducing the amount of cavity-causing bacteria found in your mouth. Some types of gum help to harden the enamel, which is the protective exterior of your teeth. Extra minerals that can help to strengthen tooth enamel are also a benefit of increased saliva, which is discussed in the next section. 

Gum Helps Keep Teeth Clean

While gum does not replace brushing and flossing your teeth, it does offer the benefit of cleaning them in between those activities. Especially after eating a meal, any food particles that remain in the mouth or on teeth can be removed by chewing gum. If those particles are left on your teeth for an extended period of time, they can eventually start to decay the enamel that protects your teeth.

Curbs Cravings with Gum?

Healthy eating is important for your overall health, which includes your oral health. To help kick those junk food cravings, chew a piece of gum instead. Chewing gum instead of eating unhealthy food is helpful in a number of ways. Sugar-free gum is the best option for your teeth since it has as less sticky quality.

Gum Increases Saliva Production

Chewing gum can help increase the flow of saliva in your mouth. This has a number of benefits including washing away acid that can potentially harm your teeth. It is recommended to chew gum for 20 minutes after eating a meal to help your saliva build up to rinse off the teeth and cleanse your entire mouth.

Best Dentist Southern Missouri

If you're wondering whether or not you should grab a pack of gum next time you're out shopping, feel good knowing that chewing gum can actually help keep your teeth clean and your mouth healthier! And don't forget to give Access Dental and Dentures a call to schedule your next dental appointment to keep your teeth in top condition. We're here to take care of you!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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Keep Your Smile Healthy By Avoiding These Foods!

While there are a TON of foods that can be beneficial for your teeth, on the flip side there are a handful that you should try to monitor for healthy teeth. If you're worried about the condition of you or your families' teeth, consider limiting the following items from your diet. Your oral health is important to your overall health. Your trusted dentist in Springfield, MO has provided a list of foods to try to avoid, for healthy teeth.

Acidic Foods

There are a number of foods that have a high acidic level. This acid can wear down your enamel, allowing harmful bacteria and plaque to get deeper into your tooth. A weak protective layer of enamel can lead to a variety of oral health issues. Try to reduce the number of acid filled foods that you and your family consume. If you do happen to over do it on the acidic foods, pair it with a glass of water to help wash off some of the acid.

High Levels of Sugar

Sugar combines with the bacteria found in your mouth, and can cause damage to your teeth. Consuming foods with excess sugar levels is harmful for your entire mouth. Try to cut back on the number of sugar filled foods that you and your family consume.

Sticky Food

Sticky and chewy foods tend to cling onto your tooth's surface. Typically, this food is filled with sugar, which makes it so sticky. As the previous point shows, sugar filled foods can cause damage to your teeth. Once the food sticks to your tooth, it tends to stay there for a while, wearing away at the enamel.

Foods High in Carbohydrates

Many refined carbohydrates transition into sugars, as soon as they enter your mouth. The bacteria in your mouth reacts with the sugar, which causes damage to your tooth enamel. This bacteria and sugar mixture starts to wear away the enamel surface that protects your teeth. To avoid damage to your enamel, reduce your intake of refined carbohydrates.

Hard to Chew Foods

Hard foods can cause a TON of damage to your teeth. The protective enamel on your teeth can be damaged, when you chew on hard foods. Foods like ice, hard candy, and un-popped popcorn can damage your tooth enamel or chip your tooth.

While foods can cause damage to your teeth, drinks can do the same. Provided below are some of the worst drinks you can consume:

- Soda
- Sports drinks
- Energy drinks
-  Alcohol
- Wine
- Coffee
- Fruit juice

Now that you know the damaging effects of the above foods, you're ready to start making better choices. Limiting the above items from your diet can help your entire body, mouth included, be healthier. Contact the best dentist in southern MO if you're ready to get a regular check up for your oral health, if you're concerned about the condition of your mouth. Give us a call and schedule your next appointment at a clinic near you! 

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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Is It Time for an Electric Toothbrush?

Dental health is incredibly important. Not only does it keep you safe from tooth decay and gum disease, but it also affects your overall health. That's why our team at Access Dental and Dentures is here to help give you the best dental care advice so you can stay healthy and confident. Today we're talking about why electric toothbrushes could be the ticket to a healthier mouth! Keep reading to learn more.

Powerful, Automated Brushing

Electric toothbrushes can deeply scrub the surface of the tooth and get into nooks and crannies that are sometimes missed. With a variety of movements programmed into the toothbrush, from spinning to side to side, your teeth will get cleaned from every possible angle. Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are more effective in getting rid of plaque buildup on teeth. 

It's So Easy

An electric toothbrush moves around your teeth without you having to move your arm much at all. As long as you make sure that it is placed on the surface of each tooth, it will take care of the scrubbing while you simply hold it in place. No more brushing too little or too much!

More Fun When You Brush

Kids get a kick out of an electric toothbrush buzzing around inside their mouths doing most of the work for them. (You don't have to be a kid to think that's fun, though!) They also come in lots of colors and designs to make your time spent brushing a little more exciting. 

Advanced Health Technology

Some electric toothbrushes have a timer built in to ensure that you brush for the recommended two-minute duration. Many allow you to adjust the speed to be more comfortable for sensitive teeth and gums. A few varieties even feature sensors that let you know if you are applying the right amount of pressure for the proper clean. Some companies will even deliver affordable replacement heads right to your door when it's time for a new one!

Less Plastic is More Eco-Friendly! 

When you use disposable toothbrushes, you have to throw the entire toothbrush away every three months when it's time for a new one. With an electric toothbrush, you are only replacing the head of the toothbrush, allowing you to reduce the plastic waste you are producing. How cool is that!

Best Dental Care in Southern Missouri

If you're located in southern Missouri, then our dental clinics are perfectly situated for you to enjoy a convenient dental appointment. We are the best dentists in the area and we pride ourselves in taking excellent care of you and your teeth. Give us a call and schedule your next appointment at a clinic near you! 

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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