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A BEAUTIFUL SMILE
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Mouth Healthy Foods
Preparing Your Child For Their First Dental Visit
Taking the steps to get your kids ready
for their first dental visit can make a big
difference in the long run.
Patients often ask us at what age it is
best to bring in their child for their first
dental exam.
At Dr. Lane’s West Hills dental office, we
recommend bringing your child in to
see us shortly after their teeth erupt, or
before their first birthday.
Here are just a few ways to get your kids
ready for their first visit with the dentist.
»» A great way to get your child familiar
with the dentist is by reading them
stories. There are a number of great
books out there that can help your
child learn what going to the dentist
means and what they can expect to
happen at the dental office. A few of
our favorite classics include: Curious
George Visits the Dentist and The
Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist.
»» Incorporate
pretend dental visits
into playtime. You can provide your
children with props like a toothbrush,
cups for rinsing and a flashlight to
look inside the mouth and count teeth.
Allow your child to play both the dentist
and patient roles.
»» Getting in the habit of helping clean
your child’s teeth at night and in
the morning can help them get into
a healthy oral health routine. For
children who are just starting to get
their teeth in, a soft washcloth wrapped
around your finger and warm water
can be used in place of a toothbrush
and toothpaste. Dr. Lane can provide
advice on when is the best age to
switch to using a children’s toothbrush.
»» One
of the best ways to keep your
children from fearing going to the
dentist is to model the behavior
yourself. Experts say that the fear of
going to the dentist is often passed
down from the parent. So if you get
nervous before a dental visit, don’t let
on to your kids that you are scared.
»» Schedule
your dental cleaning visit
and bring your child with you. Your
hygienist will clean your teeth while
you son or daughter watch. Dr. Lane
will come in and introduce himself
and if your child is willing Dr. Lane
will “count” your child’s teeth and give
them a toothbrush.
If you prefer, schedule a “tour”. Call our
office and schedule a 10 minute visit
where we can walk around the office,
give your child a ride in a dental chair,
and maybe even count their teeth. This
will help them get acquainted with our
dental office. Either type of visit is a great
way for your children to know to expect
and to feel comfortable when they return
to our friendly West Hills dental office.
And, we do not charge for a ride on the
dental chair, a tour, or a “tooth counting”.
Vitamin D – Teeth are one of the
strongest parts of the body, even
stronger than bones. But just like
bones, teeth are made up of calcium.
That means having a diet filled with
foods high in vitamin D and calcium,
such as mushrooms, milk, yogurt,
fish oils and egg yolks can all help
replenish much needed calcium and
vitamin D levels to support healthy
teeth. Cheese in particular is great for
teeth because it can add a protective
layer on the enamel of the tooth
combating against erosion from sugar
and acid.
Folic Acid - Folic acid is often associated
with pregnancy because this member
of the B vitamin family helps cell
growth and development. Foods
rich in folic acid do the same for the
teeth, helping promote healthy cells
in the mouth. Foods high in folic acid
include: broccoli, spinach, peanuts,
pinto beans, black beans and oranges.
Antioxidants – Just like folic
acid promotes cell development,
antioxidants help protect the cells
from damage. Gum tissue can benefit
from a diet full of antioxidants, which
can be found in numerous fruits and
vegetables including: blueberries,
grapes, nuts, sweet potatoes, carrots
and green tea.
Foods to Avoid
Just like there are foods that are good
for healthy teeth, there are also items
that can harm the teeth. Foods with
high levels of sugar can attack the
enamel coating on the teeth and lead
to cavities and decay. Snacks like soda
and candy are the biggest enemies
of healthy teeth. Surprisingly, dried
fruit and a personal favorite chocolate
covered raisins can be trouble because
they stick to your teeth. Brush after
these treats!
No Time to Brush?
What if you’re out and about and
don’t have a toothbrush? There are
foods that can help clean away debris
from the tooth and act as a stand-in
toothbrush in a pinch include: apples,
carrots and celery. Even chewing a
piece of sugarless gum can help.
Office Staff
Misty
Office Manager
Teresa, Registered Dental Assistant
Leslie, Registered Dental Assistant
Meredith, Registered Dental Hygenist
Jo, Registered Dental Hygenist
Schedule an Appointment
Call us at: 818.224.4711
23101 Sherman Place
Suite 211
West Hills CA 91307
[email protected]
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www.twitter.com/Dr_Lane_DMD
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Dental Facts We’re Guessing
You Didn’t Know
Every now and then we come across some eye-opening and even head-scratching
dental facts. Here are some of the best ones we’ve heard lately.
»» Weird
but true: more people on the
planet own mobile phones than own
toothbrushes. Visit our office and we’ll
give you one for free (a toothbrush
that is).
»» 75%
of Americans
periodontal disease.
suffer
from
»» Drinking
sugary soda is one of the
major causes of tooth decay. In fact,
people who drink 3 or more glasses
of soda a day have 62% more tooth
decay.
»» Studies
show preschoolers
anywhere from 6 to 10 cavities.
have
»» Your
teeth are as unique as your
fingerprint. They can determine
your age, ethnicity, eating habits and
lifestyle.
»» The
average person will spend 38.5
days brushing their teeth over the
course of their lifetime.
»» Not
everyone develops wisdom
teeth. Only about 10 percent of the
population will not get third molars.
»» In
Milan, Italy, there is a law that you
must wear a smile when appearing
in public, unless visiting a hospital or
attending a funeral.
»» The tooth fairy is so popular she gets
recognized on both February 28 and
on August 22. Both days are known as
National Tooth Fairy Day in the United
States.
»» Human
teeth can detect a grain of
sand or grit just ten microns (that’s
1/25,000 of an inch) in diameter!
If you’re reading this, it’s likely
that you should be asleep, but
someone is keeping you awake.
Chances are, it’s your significant
other and they have a problem.
They are a snorer.
»» Studies
show that your teeth are one
of the first things your date notices
about you.
»» An inmate in a West Virginia jail actually
At the beginning of the relationship, you
may have thought it was cute or even
endearing. But now, it’s affecting your
ability to sleep, keeping you up at night
and making it impossible for you to be
productive during the day.
If you’ve tried everything you can think
of, from the slight nudge (which, let’s face
it only fixes the problem for a second), to
wearing earplugs,
Along with the condition affecting a
partner, it can be even more burdensome
for the person with sleep apnea because
it can cause fatigue, chronic sleep
introduced, swine bristles were used in
toothbrushes.
»» George
»» Next time you complain about going to
the dentist, know this – In the Middle
Ages it was a German custom for
people to kiss a donkey to relieve a
toothache!
and the Winner is.... Simi!
It could be just snoring or your partner
may be one of the 18 million Americans
who suffer from a condition called
obstructive sleep apnea. The good news
is there could be a dental device that can
help.
Obstructive sleep apnea can be a serious
condition. It happens when the throat
muscles relax, the airway narrows and
the body can’t get enough breath in. It’s
at that point that the brain is alerted of
low oxygen levels in the blood and the
snorer wakes up briefly. This can happen
throughout the night – repeatedly. In
addition to not getting a good night
sleep, snoring, snorting and even choking
are tell tale signs that someone has sleep
apnea.
»» Before 1938, when nylon bristles were
Washington’s dentures were
partially made from hippopotamus
teeth.
to buying your partner breathing strips
and it hasn’t worked, it might be time to
make them an appointment to see Dr.
Lane.
But first let’s learn a bit more about
the problem.
escaped over an 18-foot wall after
collecting enough dental floss to braid
into a rope.
»» Charcoal,
ground up chalk, ashes,
lemon juice, and honey-tobacco. Can
you believe that this mixture was
what humans once used to clean their
teeth? Thank goodness for modern
toothpaste!
How To Deal With the Snorer In Your Bed
deprivation and even more dangerous
side affects. In fact, those with sleep
apnea are seven times more likely to be
in a car accident and they are at greater
risk for stroke and heart attack.
Fortunately, there is a relatively simple
and non-invasive solution for those
suffering from snoring or the more
serious obstructive sleep apnea – being
fitted with an oral appliance that can
keep the throat open allowing for greater
amounts of air to get into the airway.
These relatively comfortable devices are
designed to bring the jaw forward and
open the throat, resulting in a decrease
in the amount of snoring.
If you or someone you love is suffering
from snoring or sleep apnea, we
encourage you to come in and see us.
Dr. Lane will arrange for you to have an
easy, comfortable in home sleep study
which will diagnose the severity of your
situation. And after reviewing the results
with you, Dr. Lane can then fabricate a
custom appliance to improve yours and
your partners sleep.
Schedule an appointment today to
learn more and get a better nights
sleep!
Congratulations Simi!
Simi was our referral drawing winner!
Schedule an Appointment
Refer a friend or family member and you’ll become eligible to
win a $150 gift card that can be used anywhere.
Call us at: 818.224.4711
This is our way of saying thank you for the many wonderful
referrals we receive from our patients.
23101 Sherman Place, Suite 211
West Hills CA 91307
[email protected]
Our Mission & Philosophy
Our mission is to provide our patients with the finest care
and most comfortable dental experience in the
San Fernando and Conejo Valleys.
Our dental philosophy is not merely to correct a tooth, but to change
your life for the better. To us, that’s what dentistry is all about.
Our professionalism, technology and quality materials provide
a solid foundation for our relationship with our patients. We
listen to you and we work together to accommodate every
patient’s long-term dental goals.
We want to give you a beautiful smile and healthy mouth.
Along the way, we enhance our patients’ understanding of
techniques and alternatives. We let you know in advance the
What, Why, How and the benefit of our recommendations.
If you are covered by dental insurance we’ll give you tips
for making the most of it. With this knowledge comes the
confidence to make dental decisions you’re comfortable with.
We want you to be comfortable. Then we can deliver quality
dental care that’s tailored for you.
Patient Testimonials
“Dr. Lane has been my dentist for 20 plus years and I can’t say
enough good things about him. He is personable, professional, highly
skilled, and a cosmetic genius. He has the best technicians and
staff who enjoy their jobs and really care about your dental health.
Believe it or not, I always look forward to my dental appointments
and, thanks to Dr. Lane, I have a great smile!”
– Jackie Z.