Your oral hygiene and twice-yearly dental exams do much more than just protect your teeth and gums. In fact, your oral health and your overall health are inextricably linked. Take periodontal disease, an infection of your gum tissue that also happens to be the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Missing teeth make following a healthy, nutritious diet all but impossible, making you susceptible to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, a Queens native and general dentist in Astoria, NY, shares local community health events taking place this month.
Shape Up NYC: Functional Training
When: Tuesdays in July from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Where: The track at Astoria Park
This weekly fitness class strengthens your entire body, promotes a healthy heart, and burns calories while improving endurance. A study published in the Journal of Dentistry reveals that the combination of physical exercise and vitamin D intake improves your oral health and offers some protection against gum disease. For more information, including contact info and a map, click here.
Balance and Strength Training Class
When: July 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: New York Hospital Queens
Join a certified exercise physiologist in an hourlong session that focuses on strengthening your muscles through use of resistance. For a map and fee information, visit this webpage.The website also features details about upcoming classes, blood drives, and wellness fairs in the area. A tip from your Astoria Dentist: When working out, water is preferable to sports drinks. Gatorade and similar beverages are generally very acidic and loaded with sugar.
Blood Pressure Screening
When: July 16 from 9:00 a.m to 10:30 a.m.
Where: Catherine Sheridan Senior Center
An estimated one-fourth of American adults have high blood pressure. Several medications used to treat hypertension can cause gingival overgrowth, increasing your risk of developing severe gum infections. Dr. Leibowitz adds that patients who have lost teeth or have been diagnosed with periodontal disease are more likely to have high blood pressure.
Tennis on the Green
When: Monday, July 21 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: West Side Tennis Club
Tennis players rejoice! The annual Tennis on the Green event appeals to players and fans of the sport alike. Attendees can participate, watch, or enjoy swimming, drinks, and kosher barbecue. Check here for contact information, maps, and reservations. By the way, did you know that there’s actually a United States Dental Tennis Association? It seems that patients aren’t the only ones who enjoy a good match.
Tips to Get More Out of Exercise
Taking a proactive approach to fitness and oral health could very well save your teeth, if not your life. What does Dr. Leibowitz recommend?
-
Unless you’re exercising vigorously for an extended period of time, drink water instead of sports drinks. Gatorade and similar beverages are highly acidic and are packed with sugar.
-
If you participate in team sports, protect your teeth and gums from a dental emergency by wearing an athletic mouthguard.
-
Flash your smile while working out. According to Psychology Today, doing so may actually make your workout more enjoyable!
Be part of a healthier, happier community. To learn more about oral-systemic health, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, contact us at (718) 728-8320. We offer cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dentistry to patients living in Astoria, Queens, NYC, upstate New York, and New Jersey. For more news and insights, follow us on Facebook.
