In today’s post, we will concentrate on important behaviors that impact oral health. Of course, effective brushing and flossing are two vital habits for healthy teeth, but there are many more things we can do to keep a healthy smile.
Diet Do’s
- Do eat a nutritious diet with a variety of foods. This is necessary for overall physical health and a strong immune system.
- Do eat calcium-rich dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt to neutralize acids that are dangerous to enamel.
Diet Don’ts
- Don’t eat sugary foods. Sugar leads to the production of detrimental cavity-causing acids that weaken enamel and lead to dental caries.
- Don’t snack throughout the day. This revs up plaque production and subjects the teeth to continual contact with acids.
- Don’t chew on ice. (It really can chip teeth.)
- Don’t drink energy drinks. They have many substances that are harmful to teeth.
Other Important Tips
- Don’t use your teeth as tools. It is smarter to cut that knotted shoelace than to gnaw at it to try to untangle it.
- Don’t get piercings in or around your mouth.
- Don’t ignore tooth pain or sensitivity.
- If you have children, speak with Dr. Hecht about water fluoridation. If your municipal water supply is not fluoridated, you may want to give your children fluoride supplements.
- Don’t use a medium or hard bristle toothbrush. It can damage gums.
- If you have an eating disorder – seek professional help ASAP. Bulimia and anorexia are extremely damaging to teeth. (Not to mention the toll they take on the heart and other organs.)
We urge all of our patients to maintain a lifestyle that promotes dental health as well as overall physical health. At Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht, we serve the Staten Island area with exceptional dental care including general and cosmetic dentistry. Ask us about porcelain veneers, cosmetic dentistry, porcelain crowns and root canals.
Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht:
718-761-5757
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314
