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Your Favorite Late Night Snack Could Lead to Tooth Loss

It’s 11 pm and, while you should be in bed, you’re standing in front of the fridge trying to decide a snack of choice before calling it a night. You know this isn’t the best life choice for your waistline, but did you know that it’s also bad for your oral health. Continue reading to learn about how your favorite late-night snack could lead to tooth loss from Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry.Read More

Candy, Costumes, and Cavities

Are you ready for the spine-tingling spookiness of Halloween? The costumes, the parties, and the haunted houses await. But lurking beneath the surface of this candy-coated holiday is a frightful menace – tooth decay! Yes, you heard it right, there’s nothing scarier than the thought of cavities creeping in like ghosts in the night.

The combination of poor oral hygiene and a candy overload can be scarier than any horror movie. But don’t fret; we’ve got your back. Join us as we uncover the secrets to keep tooth decay at bay this fall, brought to you by Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry.Read More

The Relationship Between Asthma & Cavities

The headline of this blog post is pretty shocking, isn’t it? Many people are unaware of the link between asthma and tooth decay resulting from a dry mouth. Here is some more information from Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry.

 

You may be wondering what asthma has to do with cavities. When people aren’t easily able to draw in their breath, most people compensate by breathing through their mouths. This causes your mouth to dry out. Insufficient saliva leaves you more vulnerable to decay-causing bacteria because saliva helps to protect and clean your teeth. Moreover, asthma and allergy medications themselves can cause even more dryness on top of mouth breathing. In short, it’s not a good combination.

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5 Ways Your Smile Changes As You Age

Getting older isn’t a favorite topic of conversation, but it is important to understand how the body changes as it ages so you can continue to live a happy and healthy life as you grow older. One thing that changes as you age that people don’t often think about is your smile. Read on to learn more about how your smile ages and how you can take care of your teeth from Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry.

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The Top 3 Best Drinks For Your Teeth

While it may seem like water is your only beverage option, fear not, as there are still a few drinks available that can quench your thirst and are good for your teeth.

 

Milk 

Not only can it help build strong bones, but milk is a great source of calcium. Calcium helps to repair and maintain tooth enamel to keep your teeth strong. Lactose intolerant? Don’t worry. Calcium-fortified soy milk is a great alternative to getting the same benefits as regular milk. However, it is important to keep in mind that milk also contains sugar which, if left on the teeth for too long, can cause tooth decay. 

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Do Your Gums Bleed When Flossing?

It’s the start of a new day and you’re going through the motions of your morning routine. As you begin flossing, you notice your gums start to bleed in some areas. Is this normal?

While bleeding gums from flossing does not mean your mouth isn’t clean, it can be a sign that you aren’t flossing enough. According to Colgate, “It’s fairly common for gums to bleed when you first begin flossing between teeth, and as long as the bleeding stops quickly, it’s not usually considered a problem.” In other words, continue to floss daily and the bleeding should stop over time.

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