When most people think of the dentist, they think of teeth—and that’s understandable. We are, after all, the “tooth doctors.” But oral health is much more than teeth alone. Each tooth is part of a larger, interconnected system that includes ligaments, blood vessels, nerves, bone, gums, muscles, joints, and—ultimately—the rest of your body.
True dental health isn’t just about fixing problems when they arise; it’s about understanding how the entire oral system functions and how it connects to your overall well-being.
Voyage to Vitality is an educational platform designed to help you take control of your health by demystifying oral health and making it approachable. We break down the complexity of the oral-systemic connection into three clear, manageable parts—giving you the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about your care and your future.
Dr. Nicole Mariano is a general dentist who believes that dentistry is not just about teeth—it’s about people, vitality, and the power to take charge of your health. With a foundation built on empathy, education, and prevention, Dr. Mariano is known for her whole-person approach that empowers patients to make informed choices rooted in their values, not fear or pressure.
After years of practicing conventional dentistry, Dr. Mariano began to notice a recurring pattern: many patients were struggling with chronic dental issues that seemed to reflect deeper imbalances in the body—whether from stress, nutrition, inflammation, sleep disorders, or structural problems in the jaw and bite. She became deeply curious about how the mouth connects to the rest of the body and began to integrate broader tools and conversations into her care.
Her philosophy is rooted in getting to the “why” behind oral problems—not just treating what’s broken, but exploring the full story behind each condition. She believes patients deserve a safe space to be heard, to learn, and to co-create a treatment path that fits their goals and lifestyle. That mindset has become the heartbeat of her care model, one where trust, collaboration, and long-term well-being come first.
To bring this vision to life in a broader way, Dr. Mariano launched Voyage to Vitality—a platform and community dedicated to reconnecting people to the root causes of oral and systemic health. Through patient education, storytelling, and integrative thinking, Voyage to Vitality invites patients and providers alike to reimagine what true health looks like. Whether you’re battling gum disease, feeling stuck with TMJ symptoms, or just want to feel better in your own body, this platform serves as a compass on your personal journey to wellness.
Dr. Mariano works closely with a network of interdisciplinary partners, including sleep specialists, chiropractors, myofunctional therapists, and physical therapists to provide well-rounded, personalized care for her patients. Her goal isn’t just to fix teeth—it’s to help patients reclaim their energy, confidence, and joy in daily life.
And speaking of joy—Dr. Mariano’s secret to keeping the office energy high is her four-legged sidekick and Chief Joy Officer, Grouper. Grouper is not only the official greeter of the practice but a trusted emotional support presence for staff and patients alike. His tail wags have a 100% success rate in reducing dental anxiety.
When she's not practicing or developing new content for Voyage to Vitality, Dr. Mariano loves being outdoors. Whether she’s hiking, paddleboarding, gardening, or traveling somewhere new, she finds peace and perspective in the rhythms of nature. At home, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband Tom, and of course, Grouper, who is always up for an adventure—especially if it ends with a snack.
A Healthy Foundation sets the stage for everything that comes next in your oral and overall health. By understanding and supporting the core elements—teeth, gums, bone, ligaments, restorations, and your oral microbiome—you can prevent future disease instead of repeatedly treating symptoms. This isn’t just about fixing what’s broken today; it’s about building a system that lasts. Whether you’re starting fresh or restoring past damage, investing in a healthy foundation now means fewer surprises, more confidence, and better long-term outcomes.
Click here to discover how building a healthy foundation today leads to a stronger, healthier tomorrow.
A Healthy Chewing System means your teeth, muscles, joints, and bite are working in harmony. Most people don’t realize that the way their teeth come together affects not only their mouth, but their entire body. Imbalances—common in over 95% of people—can lead to worn teeth, jaw pain, headaches, gum recession, broken dental work, and poor sleep. These issues are often misdiagnosed or treated in isolation, when they’re actually symptoms of a deeper functional problem. At Voyage to Vitality, we help you understand how chewing system balance supports long-term oral health and whole-body wellness—so you can break free from chronic issues and move toward lasting vitality.
Click here to learn how your bite could be affecting more than just your teeth.
Your mouth is not separate from the rest of your body—it is a vital part of it. The Healthy Self recognizes that true oral health is deeply interconnected with your overall well-being. Your teeth, gums, and chewing system don’t function in isolation; they reflect and influence everything from your immune system to your sleep, hormones, nutrition, and stress levels.
This section of Voyage to Vitality explores how your systemic health, lifestyle, nutrition, emotional resilience, and even spiritual well-being all play a role in your oral environment. Chronic stress can lead to clenching and grinding. Inflammation in the body can worsen gum disease. Poor sleep and unbalanced nutrition can slow healing and compromise your body's ability to maintain a healthy microbiome. Healthy Self invites you to see your mouth as a window into your body—and a key player in your path to whole-body vitality. When you take care of your entire self, your oral health follows.
Click here to learn how aligning your lifestyle and health habits can elevate your smile—and your life.
At Voyage to Vitality, our mission is simple yet profound: to empower people with the knowledge to understand their oral health—not just at the surface level, but at the root.
While many dental visits focus on reacting to problems, we focus on the root causes that drive those problems in the first place. True oral health depends on the balance and function of three key systems: your oral foundation, your chewing system, and your whole-body health. When these are out of balance, issues begin to surface—and often repeat.
Most chronic dental issues stem from one or more of these three root causes:
Each of the three sections of the Voyage to Vitality—Healthy Foundation, Healthy Chewing System, and Healthy Self—will explore these root causes in detail, helping you connect the dots between symptoms, lifestyle, and long-term wellness. Our goal is not just to inform, but to equip you to make educated, meaningful decisions about your care—decisions that align with your personal health goals, values, and vision for your future. Because when you understand the "why," you gain the power to create real, lasting change.
Once the root cause of a dental issue is uncovered, clinical intervention may be necessary to stop disease progression and support true healing. Whether it was caused by harmful bacteria, bite dysfunction, chronic inflammation, or the body’s response to systemic stress, dental problems often reflect deeper imbalances within the body. A healthy body can adapt and repair, but when overwhelmed by inflammation, anxiety, nutritional deficiencies, or immune dysfunction, the mouth may be one of the first places to show signs that support is needed.
Root cause-oriented dental work addresses issues at the source—bacterial, structural, or systemic. However, even the best dental work can fail. Failure is because you are a unique, dynamic system. Instead of becoming frustrated, please note that the success of any dental treatment depends on three key factors:
It’s important to understand that even the best-done dentistry, under ideal conditions, has a lifespan. Materials wear, conditions change, and biology evolves. If a treatment doesn’t last as long as hoped or doesn’t work as expected, it’s not a failure. It’s a sign to reassess and adjust. Do not lose hope or assume something is wrong—this is part of the journey, not the end of it.
Below, you’ll find links to learn more about specific dental treatments, how they work, and questions to ask your dentist. Knowledge is power, and together, we’ll find the right path forward for your long-term health and comfort.
