Spokane’s Fall Favorites: The Best (and Worst) Treats for Your Teeth
Posted on 10/6/2025 by OM |
 Fall in Spokane brings crisp mornings, colorful leaves and lots of festive fun. Whether it’s visiting Green Bluff for apple picking, sipping on a pumpkin spice latte at one of our many great local coffee shops, or enjoying caramel apples at a local festival, fall treats bring comfort and joy. But not all autumn treats are friendly to your teeth!
At Smile More Spokane Family Dentistry, we love helping patients enjoy the season without worrying about cavities or dental emergencies. Here’s a guide to the best (and worst) fall treats for your smile—and some healthier swaps that still let you savor the season.
The Sticky Truth About Caramel and Toffees
Caramel apples and sticky toffees are fall staples. Unfortunately, they’re some of the worst offenders for your teeth. Sticky sweets cling to enamel, getting trapped in grooves and between teeth, where they feed cavity-causing bacteria. They’re also tough on dental work like fillings or crowns.
Smile tip: If you can’t resist, enjoy them in moderation and rinse your mouth with water afterward. Better yet, brush and floss soon after.
Pumpkin Spice Lattes: Cozy but Sugary
Pumpkin spice lattes are practically the official drink of fall in Spokane. But they can be loaded with sugar—sometimes more than 40 grams in a single cup! That sugar fuels bacteria that create acids, weakening enamel and increasing cavity risk.
Smile tip: Trade a few of the complete sugar pumps of syrup for sugar-free vanilla, skip the whipped cream, or opt for a sugar-free latte with a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg for that cozy fall flavor without all the sugar. Also, follow up the coffee with water to rinse the acidity away.
Apples: A Fall Superfood for Smiles
Thankfully, not all fall favorites are bad for your teeth. Crisp apples are nature’s toothbrush—they help scrub away plaque as you chew. They’re packed with fiber and water, which help stimulate saliva production, your body’s natural defense against cavities.
Spokane’s farmers' markets and Green Bluff orchards are overflowing with fresh apples in the fall—perfect for a smile-friendly snack.
Nuts and Seeds: Crunchy and Nutritious
Roasted pumpkin seeds and mixed nuts are nutrient-rich and packed with protein and healthy fats. They’re also low in sugar, making them a tooth-friendly snack. Just be cautious when cracking open hard shells—using your teeth as tools can chip enamel.
Cheese and Apples: The Perfect Pair
Hosting a fall gathering? Pair crisp apples with slices of cheese. Cheese helps neutralize acids in your mouth, strengthens enamel with calcium, and makes a delicious complement to fruit. It’s a festive and tooth-friendly snack for Spokane families.
Warm Cider: Sweet, But Watch the Sugar
A warm mug of apple cider on a chilly Spokane evening feels like fall in a cup. But like pumpkin spice drinks, cider often has high sugar content. If you enjoy it, try to limit sipping time—nursing a sugary drink for hours keeps your teeth bathed in sugar.
Smile tip: Drink cider with meals, and rinse with water afterward. Even better, enjoy a spiced herbal tea for that cozy warmth without the sugar.
Celebrate Spokane’s Fall—With a Healthy Smile
From pumpkin patches to apple festivals, Spokane knows how to do fall right. By choosing the right treats—and enjoying the sugary ones in moderation—you can keep your smile bright all season long.
✨New patients are always welcome—call (509) 468-4040 to schedule today.
✨Existing patients: if it’s been a while since your last checkup, or you want to maximize your dental benefits before the year ends, now’s the time to book your visit.
Enjoy the season, protect your teeth, and keep smiling—because nothing shines brighter than a healthy smile against Spokane’s autumn colors. 🍂 |
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