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Pumpkin Spice: Is It Wrecking Your Smile?

Author Ransom Garcia
A cafe latte is seen on a table at a local specialty coffee shop. How does pumpkin spice affect dental health.

It’s that time of the year again when all things pumpkin-spiced start gracing the shelves. From pumpkin-flavored bagels to Starbucks’ iconic pumpkin spice latte (PSL), the pumpkin frenzy is nearly impossible to dodge.

According to Forbes, in 2015, Americans splurged a staggering $360 million on pumpkin spice-flavored goodies, contributing to what’s now estimated as a colossal $500 million industry.

Now, while the blend of cinnamon and nutmeg in a pumpkin spice latte might seem like a warm hug for your taste buds, it might not be as sweet for the health of your smile. According to Yahoo News, several ingredients in that beloved PSL could actually harm your dental health.

How Does Pumpkin Spice Affect Your Smile?

Before you eagerly sip that pumpkin spice latte, consider this: While it’s often criticized for being a sugary, calorie-rich delight, what many people don’t realize is that it can also wreak havoc on their teeth. Here’s why:

1. A lot of Sugar: Would you believe that an average 16-ounce PSL contains nearly 50 grams of sugar?! The American Heart Association recommends that men should not exceed 36 grams of added sugar per day, and women should stay under 25 grams.

If you’re the kind who savors your PSL over hours, your risk of dental problems is even higher. Repeated exposure to acids due to sugar consumption increases the likelihood of enamel erosion.

2. Acid From Coffee: Besides sugar, think about the acidity in coffee. Coffee is inherently acidic and can spell trouble for your smile if consumed excessively. Many of us have heard our dentist make remarks about “coffee stains” on our teeth.

Just like sugar, coffee shifts the pH balance in your mouth due to its acidic nature. According to TheSkimm, a pH level of 7 is neutral, but tooth decay can kick in when it drops to 5.5. Clearly, the more acidic your mouth, the greater the chances of dental issues like cavities, gum problems, and decay.

Opt for Real Pumpkin to Celebrate This Fall

Perhaps it doesn’t taste as good as the manufactured stuff, but real pumpkin is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, such as zinc, vitamin A, magnesium, and vitamin C, all of which can contribute positively to your dental well-being.

So, remember that moderation is key, and opting for real pumpkin goodness can be a healthier choice for your smile.

Ransom Garcia is the music director and afternoon host on 1079 Coyote Country. He’s been with the station since 2017, but he’s been on the Las Vegas airwaves since 2003. Although he's Vegas Born AND Raised, Ransom also has on-air duties on sister station Kiss 95.1 in Charlotte, NC. He is also set to be inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame in September of 2024. Ransom writes articles about pop culture, human interests, technology, video games and anything affecting Las Vegas.

20 Best Coffee Shops In Las Vegas

I think it’s safe to say that coffee is often a saving grace. And Las Vegas coffee shops have definitely helped us recover after a night out.

It’s truly the perfect beverage that’s available in multiple mediums. Hot, iced, sweet, bitter, frothy or blended; coffee can quench any type of caffeine craving.

Coffee is also a ritual for many of us, often signifying as the gong that starts our day. When we smell the brewing beans and hear the bubbling noise of the carburetor, memories are often pulled from the back of our minds about cornerstone moments in our lives.

Along with the memories and conversations that are associated with the amazing beverage, coffee is also symbol in many cultures. Whether it’s the brewing method or the type of beans being used, coffee — like most things — vary across the world.

There are four types of coffee beans: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. And according to CoffeeAffection.com, Arabica and Robusta are the most common and popular type of beans.

Arabica is known for having a smooth and complex flavor with a distinct lack of bitterness. Robusta, often associated with Vietnamese coffee, has a stronger and bolder flavor with a higher hint of bitterness laced within the coffee’s profile.

The other and less common coffee beans, Liberica and Excelsa, have different flavor notes and are grown in Africa and Asia.

According to CoffeeAffection, Liberica beans “has a controversial and polarizing reputation for wild inconsistency. Those who’ve tried this rare variety either love it or hate it.”

Some have described the flavor as nutty, woody and “burnt,” with a backbite.

Excelsa beans have qualities that are a mixture of light and dark roast traits. These beans have tart and fruity flavors with a lighter aroma. Yet, these beans still have a depth of flavor.

There’s also a science to the coffee brewing process that emphasizes and brings out certain flavors of the beans, which you can read more about here.

To celebrate our love of coffee, here are some of the best shops in Vegas.

Listen to Ransom Garcia weekday afternoons from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on 107.9 Coyote Country!

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