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Everyone is always chasing after the elusive shiny white smile. However, coffee, tea, red wine, and even some sodas can stain your teeth and darken your smile. Luckily, there are several cost-effective options to help bring your teeth back to their pearly glory. There are even some foods that whiten your teeth naturally. To learn more about what foods can naturally whiten your teeth, keep reading for some advice from Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry.

Fortunately, there are several foods you can find at your local grocery store that can help make your teeth whiter. Be sure to add these foods to your cart next time you’re at the store!Read More

Your oral health is always extremely important! If you’re looking for some simple ways to boost your oral health, you’re in luck. Keep reading for some daily habits that you can incorporate into your routine from Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry.

Some of the easiest ways to keep your oral health in tip-top shape are to do the simple things you have been told to do your whole life, like brushing your teeth.Read More

It is quite common that when you go to the dentist, they will take X-rays of your teeth. Dental X-rays are images of your teeth that your dentist will use to evaluate your oral health. These X-rays may seem complex, but they’re actually very common tools that are just as important as getting your teeth cleaned. Keep reading for more information about dental X-rays from Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry.

You may be wondering if dental X-rays are safe. Fortunately, they are! This is because these X-rays are used with low levels of radiation to capture images of the interior of your teeth and gums. These X-rays are incredibly important because they can help your dentist to identify problems such as cavities, tooth decay, and impacted teeth. Dental X-rays are typically performed yearly. However, they may happen more often if your dentist is monitoring a problem or performing dental treatment.Read More

Athletes are typically praised for their high level of wellness and health. However, did you know athletes tend to have more teeth-related issues than most? A recent study found that untreated tooth decay and gum inflammation was still prevalent among elite athletes despite regular brushing and flossing. Keep reading for some athlete related dental advice from Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry

Some athletes’ tooth related issues stem from the consumption of high-acid drinks, gels and energy bars. These all can weaken tooth enamel and damage teeth due to high sugar content and acidity. Studies have shown that nearly half of elite endurance athletes had untreated tooth decay, and the majority of them had early signs of gum inflammation. This is despite these athletes otherwise having good oral hygiene habits.

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Most likely you’ve heard that you should be brushing and flossing your teeth daily. However, should brushing come before flossing or vice versa? According to recent studies, researchers have found that flossing before brushing may be the most effective way to remove dental plaque. This sequence also makes your tooth enamel stronger by increasing the fluoride concentration delivered from toothpaste. Read on to learn more about brushing and flossing from Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry.

It’s important to know that you are a very important participant in keeping your oral health in tip top shape. You have to take care of your teeth beyond going to the dentist and orthodontist. Especially when you are in orthodontic treatment, it is crucial that you make your oral health a priority. While orthodontic appliances don’t cause oral health issues, they can create spaces that are difficult to clean. Additionally, when plaque and food accumulate around your braces it can lead to permanent white marks, cavities, swollen gums, bad breath, and periodontal disease. Read More

It is common knowledge that smoking tobacco is bad for our teeth and mouths. Smoking drastically increases your risk for several things, including oral cancer and gum disease. However, it is important to know these side effects do not go away with e-cigarettes. Read on to learn more about why vaping is bad for your teeth from Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry.

Research shows that vaping is bad for your teeth just like smoking traditional cigarettes, even with no tobacco in e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes use an aerosol, or vapor, to deliver nicotine into the lungs. This vapor not only contains nicotine, which is bad for the teeth and body by itself, but also ultra-fine particles of toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Many of these chemicals are linked to cancer, respiratory disease, and heart disease.

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