THE COZY CUP CONUNDRUM Hot Drinks,
PLAN A SPOOK-TACULAR TIME! CREATIVE NEW TWISTS ON HALLOWEEN FUN The popularity of Halloween has grown to rival Super Bowl Sunday, with nearly 3 in 4 consumers participating in decorating, handing out candy, and dressing in costumes. To keep your loved ones close to home for spooky fun, consider planning festive games, activities, and treats to share. Here are three fresh ideas for snacks, games, and activities to keep kids and grown-ups celebrating all evening long. GHOULISH GAMES How about a round of Pin the Spider on the Web to see which blindfolded competitor can land the spider closest to the center? Piñatas have no season, so try filling a piñata with Halloween treats of your choice. Older guests might enjoy a Halloween version of “party pong”: Place 10 candy buckets on the ground in a triangle and see which guest can land the most pingpong balls in a bucket.
Cool Weather, and Pumpkin Spice Warnings
Crisp air, crunchy leaves, and the warm hug of a pumpkin spice latte. It’s the season many of us wait for all year! Maybe you’re more of a hot chocolate person, or perhaps nothing says autumn like a steaming mug of apple cider. These cozy favorites bring comfort in every sip … but may also damage your teeth. THE NOT-SO-SWEET SIDE OF THE SEASON. Many fall drinks are loaded with sugar, and sugar is cavity-causing bacteria’s best friend. Those bacteria turn sugar into acids that eat away at your enamel, aka the protective shell of your teeth. And it doesn’t stop there! Many seasonal sips, especially flavored coffees and ciders, are naturally acidic. That acidity weakens enamel, opening the door to sensitivity, staining, and decay. REAL PUMPKIN BRINGS REAL BENEFITS. Before you toss the pumpkin out with the candy wrappers, the good news is that real pumpkins are a dental health ally! They’re filled with fiber that encourages saliva flow, your mouth’s natural cleaning system. Pumpkins are also packed with vitamin A, which helps fortify enamel and support gum health. And similar to blueberries, they have antioxidants that decrease inflammation, keeping gums happy.
HALLOWEEN HORS D’OEUVRES Serve your guests ghostly eyeballs made from Babybel cheese rounds, or have the kids create “mummy dogs” by wrapping and baking hot dogs in ready-made biscuit dough. Everyone loves holiday gingerbread houses, so make a haunted version from a gingerbread house kit, purple or black frosting, and melted-marshmallow spider webs. Add a ghastly twist by planting a few ginger-gravestones in the yard. With leftover dough, you can create witch-hat or black-cat cookies.
So, while the syrupy pumpkin flavoring in your latte might not be a friend to your teeth, pumpkin in its pure form gets a gold star from your dentist.
SHARE THE SCARES Cozy up in blankets to watch a favorite horror flick on a DIY outdoor movie screen. (Try stringing a white sheet on wooden rods stretched between support poles, perhaps fashioned from PVC pipe.) For child- friendly entertainment, find a book of scary stories and gather the little ones around for some ghostly storytelling. Also, if store-bought costumes don’t excite you, harness the power of face paint to transform each other into comical Halloween characters. If you are among the 1 in 5 Americans who plan to involve their pets in Halloween festivities, consider cooking up a costume for your furry friend. Your black Lab might make a great Bark Vader, your shih tzu could dress as Chewbacca, or your St. Bernard might don a cape to play Count Drool-cula! With a bit of imagination, you can ensure fun for all!
HOW TO SIP SMART THIS SEASON. Enjoying fall flavors doesn’t have to come with a side of cavities! These simple steps can keep your smile bright and healthy:
• • • •
Pair with meals so sugar and acid have less time to linger. Rinse with water after indulging (even a few sips helps).
Use a straw to protect enamel.
Keep up your dental hygiene routine!
These small changes can make a big difference in protecting your enamel and keeping your smile bright through pumpkin spice season.
Want to keep your smile healthy this fall (and beyond)? Contact our office to schedule your next dental visit so we can help you ensure your teeth stay strong, bright, and ready for all the season’s smiles.
2 • ATOWNDENTAL.COM
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator