We hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend and enjoyed time with family and friends. Now that the holiday is over and the candy stash is running low, remember to get your next dental checkup and cleaning. We are open from 7 am to 7 pm for those that have a difficult time taking the time off of their 9 to 5 work schedule.
Give us a call at (813) 475 – 4528. We look forward to hearing from you!
Did you know you could make your own natural Easter egg dye using items you may already have at home? There’s no need in buying boxed dyes when you can use colorful fruits, vegetables and things straight from your cupboard. This is a fun way to be creative and eco-friendly with the kids this Easter holiday. You can go through your kitchen and use whatever you already have available, or head to the market and get the items you need to create your own special color palette.  We have included in this article a few of our favorite choices, but the possibilities are endless.
Check your freezer for frozen berries, such as blueberries for creating blue hues. Also check your vegetable crisper. You can use anything from spinach for green, beets for pink, and red cabbage for purple. Take a look around your fridge for juices like grape juice and orange juice or any variety that is rich in color. Don’t forget about your cupboard for things like coffee grounds that make nice earthy brown colors. Certain spices work well also, such as turmeric for yellow, chili powder for reddish brown, and curry powder for a pale orange. Lastly, make sure you have white vinegar available. Vinegar is acidic and basically etches the egg’s shell. This roughens the shell allowing it to absorb more color.
Remember trial and error is part of the fun in making your own natural easter egg dye. Experiment with different vegetables, fruits and spices. If you have a few eggs with poor results, try re-dying them. You may be surprised with the outcome of the second attempt. Be creative and have fun!
Further Reading: How to Dye Easter Eggs Using Vegetable Scraps
Happy Easter from WestchaseDental.com
(813) 475 – 4528
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We found a fun article listing a few interesting facts about Tampa… 25 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Tampa. We love sharing information with our community, whether it is for information about local events or for entertainment purposes only. In review of this article, we have found a few interesting facts and listed our top picks to explore in the Tampa Bay area.
We chose number 14, the Cuban sandwich for our topic of discussion. While reading through some of the comments in the post, many readers are questioning the author’s statement that the Cuban sandwich was invented in Tampa. There is some debate about the origin and included photo of the Cuban sandwich. Here’s what we have found:
As with Cuban bread, the origin of the Cuban sandwich (sometimes called a “Cuban mix”, a “mixto,” a “Cuban pressed sandwich,” or a “Cubano”[6]) is murky and somewhat intriguing.[7][8] In the late 1800s and early 1900s, travel between Cuba and Florida was easy, especially from Key West and Tampa, and Cubans frequently sailed back and forth for employment, pleasure, and family visits. Because of this constant and largely undocumented movement of people and culture and ideas, it is impossible to say exactly when or where the Cuban sandwich originated.[2]
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In April 2012, the “Historic Tampa Cuban Sandwich” was designated as the “signature sandwich of the city of Tampa” by Tampa’s city council.[5]
Whether it’s from Cuba, Miami, or modified in Tampa, we all love a good Cuban sandwich with some tasty yucca fries. We’ll gladly accept the title… Thank you city council of Tampa!
Whether you find the facts listed in the article to be true or have any disputes with the listings, we can all agree that Tampa is one of the most beautiful cities and enjoy the exciting things this city has to offer. There’s no shortage of things to do!
This weekend:
Don’t miss out on the Macdill Airfest 2016 this weekend, March 19th and 20th . Show your support for the MacDill Air Force Base and this great city, Tampa Bay!
Also don’t miss the 5th National Cuban Sandwich Festival, March 19th and 20th!
thecubansandwichfestival.com
Anytime:
Take a stroll along the world’s longest continuous sidewalk, Bayshore Boulevard. It’s 4.5 miles long!
During Open Hours:
Visit the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg and explore a collection of works from the renowned artist, Salvador Dali.
Let us know any interesting facts about Tampa that you may find or any disputes about the article. We love your input!
(813) 475 – 4528
March is National Celery Month
In celebration of National Celery month, we would like to give this healthy treat the attention it deserves. Most of us are aware that celery is a nutritious veggie and that it is beneficial to our overall health. But, we would like to take this opportunity to share some of the many oral health benefits found in celery.
Along with salty and flavorful crunch, celery is loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Celery contains high levels of potassium and calcium, which promotes strong bones and teeth. It also contains about 25% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin K. Vitamin K is beneficial in promoting osteotrophic activity, which increases bone mass. Another important vitamin in the mix is vitamin C, which fights off inflammation. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums, which can lead to periodontal disease. Celery also has a good source of folate, manganese, copper, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and magnesium.
Did you know celery is comprised of 95% water? This high water content is not only great for keeping our bodies hydrated, it also aids in keeping the saliva levels in our mouths high. Saliva is our body’s natural way of rinsing the food debris from our mouths. It helps keep the teeth clean and healthy, prevents tooth decay and inflammation of the gums.
Celery also has a high fibrous content. This high fiber content requires our teeth to perform a chewing action. This helps the teeth build good resistance and stimulates saliva production. Therefore, the increased the salivary flow and the fibrous strands found in celery also offer a natural cleansing action.
There are countless other nutritious foods that offer the same benefits if a nice stick of celery doesn’t appeal to your taste buds. Westchase Dental encourages healthy eating habits for our patients to achieve a healthy smile. Be sure to continue proper brushing habits at home and stay on top of your dental checkups and cleanings. We look forward to hearing from you for your next dental visit.
Contact us at (813) 475 – 4528.
We would like to extend a warm “Thank You” for a job well done to each member of our team:
It takes each and every member of our team to keep our office running smoothly to ensure that each of our patients feel comfortable and happy.
Thank you Westchase Dental Staff! You are greatly appreciated!
Contact Information:
WestchaseDental.com  (813) 475-4528
Read More about our Dentists
We love sharing oral health articles that we feel is helpful information for our patients. We found a slideshow that compiles 19 habits that can damage your teeth. Check it out: 19 Habits That Wreck Your Teeth
