In an earlier post, Dr. Todd Pizzi shared simple, effective tips for aging gracefully and improving your overall health. Dr. Pizzi, who offers cosmetic dentistry in Shrewsbury, MA, continues the discussion to demonstrate how your oral health and diet can result in a better quality of life, perhaps even adding a few more years to your life.
Watch What You Eat
Obviously eating healthy, nutritious foods benefits your entire body, including your teeth and gums. When your diet provides adequate nutrients, you face a greatly reduced risk of developing oral cancer, periodontal disease, and oral infections. If your diet does not supply the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals, consider taking a daily multivitamin. If you aren’t familiar with the USDA’s new food plate recommendations, here they are:
- Fruits and vegetables should comprise half of your plate.
- At least half of all grains you consume should be whole grains; no more than half should be refined grains, such as white flour or white rice.
- Eat healthy proteins, which don’t necessarily have to be lean meat. Nuts, seeds, seafood, and eggs are all considered proteins.
- Dairy should be low-fat or fat-free.
- Oils are not a food group, but they are considered essential to your diet.
Smile, Smile, Smile
We recently read about a fascinating study in which Wayne State University researchers looked at (of all people) professional baseball players, their tendency to smile, and their life span. First, the researchers reviewed the Baseball Register pics from 1952. The players who smiled lived, on average, five year longer than the ones who didn’t crack a grin.
What about someone who doesn’t feel confident enough to smile without hesitation? Consider cosmetic dental treatment, suggests Dr. Pizzi. It’s natural for teeth to yellow slightly with advanced age, sometimes in spite of your hygiene habits. Teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, and porcelain veneers are all options available for brightening the appearance of your smile.
About Your Shrewsbury Dentists
To learn more about our services, or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, contact our Shrewsbury, MA dentist office at (508) 842-8838. We welcome residents of Shrewsbury, Boylston, North and South Grafton, Milford, and the surrounding communities.
