At Oakwood Dental, we’re committed to not only providing you with the best dental care, but also the best advice possible to ensure your ongoing oral hygiene year round. Neglecting dental hygiene can lead to the need for further dental procedures which will cause you pain in not only your mouth, but in your pocket as well. The effect that oral health has on your overall health is something that we can’t stress enough, as it has been linked to serious risks, such as cardiovascular disease and dementia. By following our simple lifestyle tips, you can be on your way to a healthier mouth and body.

It all starts with what you are consuming. Switching from soda to other alternatives such as flavored water or tea can make a big difference. A popular detox trend that has emerged is putting fruit into your water, which not only tastes good and is safer for teeth, but is beneficial for overall health as well. Treating yourself once in a while is okay, but also ordering water with the sugary beverage to rinse teeth afterwards will work well to prevent using tooth decay, bad breath and stains. If you already enjoy a cup of unsweetened tea, you’re in luck! Tea has been proven to combat bacteria in your mouth linked with tooth decay and gum disease.

If you, like many others, simply can’t resist candy, substitute chewy treats for chocolate instead. When the bacteria in your mouth try to break down the sugar from candy, tooth decaying acids are produced. Minimize this problem by either eliminating sugary candies out of your diet or thoroughly brushing teeth after you have indulged. When it comes to chewing gum, it can be a good habit or enemy. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, washing away bad bacteria. Some gum brands have sugar, which eliminates the benefits that chewing gum can bring. Find a brand that contains xylitol, which is sweet like sugar, but actually inhibits bacteria growth.

Although taking a daily vitamin can be useful for improving your overall health and metabolism, vitamin D has specifically been proven to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities. Because a deficiency in this vitamin is not only the most common in the U.S. but can also prevent teeth from mineralizing sufficiently, it’s important to check with your doctor to make sure your body is not lacking in this vitamin.

We don’t need to tell you that smoking is bad for your teeth, nor do we have to tell you that it’s hard to quit. New, healthier alternatives have emerged that can benefit your oral as well as overall health. Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered vaporizers that simulate smoking traditional cigarettes—minus the harmful tobacco. You can enjoy different flavors while slowly decreasing your nicotine intake until you have kicked the habit entirely.

At your trusted Staten Island dentist office of Oakwood Dental, we’re here to help. Working these simple steps into your lifestyle can make all the difference in your overall health and ensure a beautiful smile for life!