Healthy Lifestyles for Healthy Lifesmiles

Healthy lifestyles make for healthy smiles, because your teeth depend on more than brushing: food, habits and checkups all count. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, we encourage every patient to live in a way that supports both oral and overall health. Here is a practical refresher of the dos and don'ts that matter most.

Why lifestyle matters for your smile

You are probably familiar with many of these tips. Still, a reminder now and then helps. Your mouth and body are closely connected. Research has linked gum disease with other health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. The habits that protect your heart, weight and energy usually protect your teeth and gums too.

Think of your daily choices as small deposits in a long-term account. No single meal or missed flossing session will ruin your smile. But the pattern, repeated day after day, makes a real difference.

The lists below are not about perfection. They are about knowing which habits help, which ones quietly cause damage, and where a small change gives the biggest payoff. If one of the "don'ts" sounds like you, do not worry. Bring it up at your next visit and we will help you find a realistic way to change it.

Do: eat for strong teeth and gums

Choose a nutritious, balanced diet

Vegetables, fruit, whole grains and lean proteins give your body what it needs to keep gums healthy and heal well. Vitamin C supports gum tissue, and vitamin D helps your body use calcium.

Include calcium-rich foods

Milk, cheese and plain yogurt provide calcium and phosphate that help strengthen enamel. Dairy can also help neutralize the acids that attack teeth after you eat.

Drink water

Water rinses away food and sugars and keeps your mouth moist. Saliva is one of your teeth's best defenses, and staying hydrated helps your mouth make enough of it.

For more on food and teeth, see our article Are All Carbs Created Equal?

Do: keep up a thorough daily routine

Brush gently but carefully, twice a day

Use a soft-bristled brush and brush for two minutes, morning and night. Angle the bristles toward the gumline and use small circles. Pressing hard does not clean better and can wear away gums and enamel.

Choose a toothpaste that fits your needs

The American Dental Association recommends a fluoride toothpaste for most people. If you prefer a holistic approach, talk with us about it. We offer fluoride to patients who want it and remineralization varnish for holistic patients.

Clean between your teeth every day

Floss, flossing picks, interdental brushes or a water flosser all work. The best tool is the one you will use every day. Many cavities and gum problems begin between the teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach.

Protect your teeth during sports

If you or your children play contact sports, ride bikes or skate, wear a mouthguard. A custom-fitted guard stays in place, lets you breathe and talk more easily, and helps protect teeth from chips and knocks.

Get enough sleep and manage stress

Stress and poor sleep often show up in the mouth. Many people clench or grind their teeth when stressed, which can wear enamel, crack teeth and strain the jaw. Regular exercise, good sleep habits and a calm bedtime routine help your whole body, including your jaw.

Do: see your dental team regularly

Get your teeth professionally cleaned and examined, usually twice a year. Some people need visits more often, and we will tell you what schedule fits your mouth.

• Cleanings remove hardened tartar that brushing cannot. At our office, dental cleanings are a full 60 minutes.
• Exams catch small problems early, when treatment is simpler.
• Oral cancer screenings with ViziLite, a blue dye rinse and OralCDX check the soft tissues of your mouth. Learn more about oral cancer screening.

Don't: habits that harm your teeth

Don't eat sugar often

Sugar feeds bacteria that make acid, and that acid weakens enamel. How often you have sugar matters more than how much. A dessert with dinner is easier on your teeth than sipping sweet coffee all afternoon.

Don't graze all day

Snacking throughout the day speeds up plaque and keeps your teeth under constant acid attack. Set snack times and give your mouth breaks to recover.

Don't chew ice

Ice is hard enough to chip or crack teeth and damage fillings. If you crave crunch, try crisp vegetables instead.

Don't use your teeth as tools

Never! Opening packages, tearing tape or cracking nuts with your teeth is a common cause of chips and cracks. See our article Don't Use Your Teeth as Tools.

Don't reach for energy drinks

Energy drinks, sodas and sports drinks are often both acidic and high in sugar, which is a hard combination for enamel.

Think twice about oral piercings

Tongue and lip jewelry can chip teeth, wear away gums and raise the risk of infection.

Don't use tobacco

Smoking and chewing tobacco stain teeth, raise the risk of gum disease and are major risk factors for oral cancer. If you want to quit, your doctor can help, and we can support your oral health along the way.

Don't ignore pain or sensitivity

Pain is a signal. A twinge today may be a small cavity or crack that is easy to fix. Waiting often means more complex treatment later.

Small changes, lasting results

You do not need to change everything at once. Pick one or two habits to work on this month, like adding a daily flossing routine or swapping an afternoon soda for water. Once those feel natural, add another.

Healthy habits start young

Children copy what they see. Brushing together as a family, keeping sweets for mealtimes and making water the everyday drink teach habits that last a lifetime. Bring your children in for regular checkups so visits feel normal, not scary. Our children's dentistry page explains what we offer for younger patients.

If you grind your teeth at night, ask about a custom night guard. If your teeth are already worn, chipped or stained, our restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services can help repair and refresh your smile.

Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS, has more than 35 years in practice and is glad to help you build a routine that fits your life. Our mercury-free office uses tooth-colored, BPA-free white fillings when repairs are needed.

Schedule your next checkup

We are committed to the dental health of every patient. If it is time for your next cleaning and exam, call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury. We welcome patients from York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD.

About the authorDr. Steven Haywood, DDS

DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.

Meet Dr. Haywood →