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We know that exercise is very important for both our mental and physical health. However, have you thought about the effects of running on your oral health? While those two things may seem unrelated, they’re actually not. Fear not, Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry will explain the correlation between running and oral health.

Oral Health and Running

While the rest of your body may be in great shape, each extra training hour actually increases your risk of tooth decay. Athletes are at risk for two specific oral health problems: dry mouth effects and sports-related nutrition effects.

1. Dry Mouth Effects – When you’re on a run, you’re likely breathing heavily through your mouth. This makes your mouth as dry as a desert. Due to the potential for dehydration (at some level), you don’t recover from dry mouth as quickly as you would otherwise. Dry mouth creates a danger zone for your teeth. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 30% of all tooth decay in older adults is caused by dry mouth. Saliva is required to help to wash away food debris and reduce plaque – reducing your risk for gum disease and tooth decay.

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Invisalign is on a constant rise as a preferred choice of treatment by teenagers and adults. This cost-effective treatment gives you a healthy and beautiful appearance in a shorter time than traditional braces! Invisalign comes with numerous benefits, however, there are a few things you should take care of in order to ensure a comfortable treatment experience. Read on for some tips to relieve your Invisalign pain from Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry.Read More

Part of maintaining good oral hygiene is making sure to brush your teeth multiple times throughout the day. While most of us know to brush after eating, how soon is too soon? In order to answer that question, Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry will first explain the science behind tooth structure. Understanding this will help better explain why brushing right after eating is bad for your teeth.

The Science Behind Tooth Structure

The outermost area of the tooth is called enamel. It is the protective layer of each tooth and also the strongest structure in the body. Even stronger than any bone. Enamel is made of crystal rods that project outward and towards the mouth. These crystal rods have minerals like calcium and phosphates in them to help make teeth strong.

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Everyone knows that garlic and onions are the usual culprits for bad breath. But do you know what other foods may be causing your stinky breath? Read on to find out what Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry has to say about some bad breath causing foods!

Pasta Sauce

The acidity from tomatoes in pasta sauce can cause a buildup of acids in the mouth and foster the growth of bacteria. These pesky bacteria can result in bad breath.

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Good oral hygiene is a crucial part of a person’s health. Thus, it is imperative that parents help teach their kids not only to brush their teeth twice a day but also how to do so effectively. Rather than making it a chore, try to make cleaning their teeth a fun and enjoyable experience. To help, Dr. Austin Westover and Dr. Bryant Ash at Westover Family Dentistry shares some tips for teaching kids how to properly clean their teeth.

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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