The “Why’s” of Mouth Weirdness!

On July 3rd, 1806, two years into their journey to chart the West of America, pioneer explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark reached a challenge of epic proportion – the Rocky Mountains. What next, they wondered? Without a map, they were forced to do what explorers do – explore, and hope for the best. So, that got us thinking. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a handy map you could use to chart your own dental health? With that in mind, here are a few mile markers you can use to stay on top of your health today, next year, and for years to come!

18-25 years oldThis is a time where work, college, and sometimes marriage start to get in the way of our parental-guided dental care regimens. It’s also a time when even as college students, we tend to find money for the things we “want” instead of the things we “need.” Given that we’re generally healthy at this time in our lives there isn’t too much we have to worry about when we visit the dentist. Yet here are a few conversations you might want to have with Dr. Lane when you come in for your periodic cleaning:

• Preventative Dentistry: Are your wisdom teeth fully grown or are they just starting to make their way out? Depending on your individual situation, you may benefit from getting them removed to avoid future orthodontic problems.

• Cosmetic Dentistry: Are there imperfections in your smile that you always wanted to correct as a teen? Now that your permanent are fully grown and stable, you may want to talk to your doctor about cosmetic options like veneers, bonding and whitening procedures.

• Injury Prevention: The ADA estimates 200,000 oral injuries a year can be prevented with mouthguards alone. If you’re active in any sort of sport (even the weekend variety), you owe it to yourself to consider a mouthguard.

• Pits and Fissures: It is time for Dr. Lane to clean up those areas he has been “watching” on the tops of your back teeth and fill them in with tooth colored filling material. Away from home our schedules change. We forget to brush and those little pits deepen and get decayed. This treatment rarely needs numbing and can be done in one easy visit. It will save you or your son or daughter from having deeper, larger fillings later in life. And it is usually covered by insurance if completed prior to age 26.

26-39 years oldThese are the years where the decades of wear-and-tear catch up with you. They’re also bridge years for having kids, and you’ll feel as though life is pulling you in a million directions. Ignoring the dentist during this timeframe is risky. Here’s how you can stay ahead of the game:

• Cosmetic dentistry: Consult with your dentist about cosmetic services like teeth whitening, veneers, etc. And, don’t let the “cosmetic” banner scare you off. Something as simple as bonding can help seal-in worn away enamel and spaces between teeth – both which can lead to erosion and cavities. Best of all, these procedures can be done in a snap with the technology available in your dentist’s office.

• Restorative dentistry: If you have an old crown, root canal or filling, you might need to have it tuned-up or replaced. Sometimes Dr. Lane can offer same day restorations that will have you off and running in no time.

• Start thinking about maintenance: Sonic toothbrushes, oral

irrigators, disclosing tablets, Xylitol gum are all items that can keep your teeth healthy year after year. Consider investing in a few of them and use them regularly as you move into your forties.

40-65 years oldWith maintenance and repair top of mind, you’ll want to start to educate yourself on the sort of procedures that will help you keep your healthy teeth, and strengthen or replace those that are weak. Also, we recommend you plan for your retirement by utilizing your dental insurance and replacing any worn or leaking restorations. Dr. Lane can help insure that your retirement years will be enjoyed with strong teeth and a healthy mouth. Consider:

• A wider array of restorative dentistry techniques: bonded tooth colored fillings, crowns, bridges, dental implants, mini-implants and even dentures. Ask Dr. Lane for advice as to what’s best for you. Maybe you have perfect teeth and need none of these! Hooray!

• Preventative Dentistry: Dr. Lane and his hygienists perform oral cancer screening.at every cleaning and examination. These two-minute exams just might literally save your life.

65+ years oldAt this age, you’ll need to consider a multi-disciplinary approach to your dental care. Aside from aging teeth, you may also have other health concerns that disrupt your usually healthy mouth. Some things to consider are:

• More frequent in-office routines: You may need to increase the frequency of your cleaning visits – ask Dr. Lane and our hygienist for their best advice.

• Systemic Health Education: There is a link between oral health and other health factors, so be sure to keep Dr. Lane and his West Hills Dental team in the loop with regard to all medications you’re taking, and particularly keep them informed as to any heart disease, diabetes, or other conditions you may have. Most importantly, because your mouth is the “window” to the rest of your body, your dentist can sometimes discover these conditions in their early stages because of the effects they have on the mouth. So, please don’t neglect your visits at this age!

Staying on top of your oral health isn’t as hard as you think, and if you keep this schedule of events to watch out for handy, you’ll be ahead of most of your neighbors when it comes to a healthy mouth and body. Come to think of it … why not share it with them as well? Don’t keep Dr. Lane a secret. They’ll thank you for the help!

A BEAUTIFUL SMILEwww.DentistWestHills.com

Welcome to a different kind of dental experience

Our Mission & PhilosophyOur 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.

If your little one’s teeth have begun to fall out, and their permanent replacements appear to be lagging far behind, you may wish to consider a space maintainer to minimize future orthodontic work. Believe it or not, the absence of your child’s teeth might seem cute now, but those tiny little gaps can cause deep gouges in your pocketbook as you watch them fill up with teeth that don’t belong there. Space maintainers are simple to use, kids get along fine with them, and they have become the de-facto standard for protecting the cosmetic and functional aspects of your growing child’s mouth.

Why Your Child Might Need a Space Maintainer

When a child’s tooth is lost early due to trauma, tooth decay, or nature’s insistence that it drop out before its permanent replacement is due, a space maintainer can be used to hold back the natural inclination of teeth to move forward. Without preventing this movement, teeth that should be in the rear of our mouths end up along the sides, and take up precious real estate destined for another tenant. The result is overcrowding, and in some cases impacted teeth. In the end, it’s always easier to save the space now, then create it later.

How They Work

Space maintainers are very similar in purpose and design to an adult “bridge,” but instead of placing artificial teeth over the gap, the space is kept open to accommodate its future resident. Most maintainers are made of metal, (sometimes both metal and plastic), and are custom-molded to the shape of your child’s mouth. This acts to temporarily preserve the space

where the baby tooth once was, so its replacement can erupt without obstruction.

Does My Child Need One?

It’s important to note that dental space maintainers are not required for all childhood tooth loss, and Dr. Lane isn’t going to suggest a space maintainer as each tooth falls out of your child’s mouth. Our bodies are quite effective at saving space for the loss of our front teeth – it’s the teeth along the sides of our mouths that tend to cause the majority of complications. Of course, each mouth is different, and Dr. Lane can suggest the best course of action for you and your child.

Using a space maintainer is an affordable and effective way to ensure your child’s teeth come in where they are supposed to, and when they’re ready. It can have a positive effect on your wallet, reduce the amount of time your child needs to wear braces, and control the cosmetic appearance of your child’s teeth and mouth.

Did you enjoy the articles? Visit our website to read our blog! www.DentistWestHills.com

The Perfect Road Map To Oral Health

Saving Space for Permanent Teeth with a Space Maintainer

Dr. Lane has been taking care of my teeth literally for DECADES, and has always done an amazing job. I would never want to have anyone else take care

of my teeth. He’s intelligent, talented, attentive, and caring. A great sense of humor, too, which puts me

at ease. Overall, a wonderful dentist and a wonderful human being. I would recommend him to anyone.

- Michael D

Testimonial

Should You Have Your Amalgam Fillings Removed?

If you have “silver” fillings in your mouth, you’re well aware of how they affect your smile. Shiny, right!? If you’ve ever thought about having them replaced with tooth colored resin fillings and had any concerns as to whether it was the right thing to do, the safe thing to do, or even an affordable thing to do, Gregg M. Lane DMD and his Beautiful Smile Center team in West Hills are here to help. We’ll cover these questions, and a few other common concerns that tend to pop up when the we are asked: “Can you do anything about all that metal in my mouth?”

How much does it cost?The cost to remove an old amalgam filling and replace it with bonded resin varies. But, you should expect an average sized one to fall somewhere around $300.

Are there risks involved in removing fillings?Yes. Generally speaking, if an amalgam filling remains strong and free of decay Dr. Lane recommends it be left alone. Disturbing a successful filling means a greater portion of the tooth may need to be removed. However, when a silver

filling in a tooth cracks or breaks, Dr. Lane uses high speed evacuation and copious amounts of water to safely suction up all the old filling.

But, which is safer? Amalgam or Resin?This is the perennial question. With amalgam, there is concern over the metals used, and with resin it’s the BPA. The American Dental Association has information regarding the safety and efficacy of both solutions. Coming to a conclusion that’s right for you is something only you can do. So, educate yourself as much as possible, using the input of your physician, Dr. Lane, and well-researched medical sites to help you get there.

When it really comes down to it, the decision as to whether to leave in or switch out amalgam fillings with resin is up to you and Dr. Lane. The health of your gum tissue, your teeth and bone structure and your cosmetic desires will help Dr. Lane determine what’s best for you. After all, your teeth and your smile are as unique as you are!

Congratulations Cindy!

Cindy was our referral drawing winner!

Refer a friend or family member and you’ll become eligible to win a $150 gift card that can be used anywhere.

This is our way of saying thank you for the many wonderful referrals we receive from our patients.

and the Winner is.... Cindy!

Does Your Mouth Tingle When You Eat Certain Foods? It May Be Your Allergies.

If you’re inclined to spend March through October indoors, do laundry more frequently than you wish, carry a bottle of nasal spray with you at all times, and start each day by quickly browsing pollen counts online, we’re going to help you confirm a hunch. First, a question: have you ever felt your mouth get itchy after enjoying certain types of fruits and vegetables? Or how about your ears? If you’re an allergy sufferer, and could always swear you experience an allergic reaction to certain fruits, nuts and vegetables, you’re probably right. You just might have what’s called “Oral Allergy Syndrome.” Read on.

What is Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS)?OAS is a food-related allergy to certain proteins located in specific fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. It’s also known as both food-pollen allergy syndrome and fruit-pollen syndrome, and it affects about 25% of people with “common” allergies. The reason you experience a reaction to these foods is that there are food proteins in fruits, nuts and vegetables that closely resemble those contained in tree and weed pollen.

As a result, the immune system recognizes the proteins as an allergen and triggers the release of histamine. And we all know what happens after that! The all-too-familiar itchy, scratchy, burning sensation that tells us we’ve stumbled onto something our body doesn’t like very much. For most people with OAS, the effects are most often localized to the mouth, but can sometimes also be felt in the back of the throat, eyes, ears, nose and skin. Scientists refer to this response of the immune system to a related, but not identical allergen, as cross-reactivity.

A List of Common Offenders• Alder pollen: almonds, apples, celery, cherries, hazel nuts,

peaches, pears, parsley, strawberry, and raspberry

• Birch pollen: almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, carrots, celery, cherries, chicory, coriander, fennel, fig, hazel nuts, kiwifruit, nectarines, parsley, parsnips, peaches, pears, peppers, plums, potatoes, prunes, soy, strawberries, wheat; Potential: walnuts

• Grass pollen: fig, melons, tomatoes, oranges

• Mugwort pollen: carrots, celery, coriander, fennel, parsley, peppers, and sunflower

• Ragweed pollen: banana, cantaloupe, cucumber, green pepper, paprika, sunflower seeds/oil, honeydew, watermelon, zucchini, Echinacea, artichoke, dandelions, honey (if bees pollinate from wild flowers), hibiscus or chamomile tea

Reducing the Symptoms• Keep a food diary: Make note of specific food triggers. You

may find, for example, that different varieties of the same fruit trigger a lesser response than another of the same variety. For example, Granny Smith vs. Jonagold apples.

• Peel the fruit first: For some this works, and if you’re concerned at all about pesticides, this helps decrease that threat as well.

• Purchase and eat fresh: For some, the fresher, the better. Storage can increase the allergens in some fruits.

• Cook ‘em up: Cooking changes the shapes of these offending proteins, keeping the immune response in check. So make pie instead of eating apples raw!

• Get the shot: Occasionally, allergy shots can provide relief from OAS reactions, so ask your allergist if it’s right for you.

Schedule an Appointment

Call us at: 818.224.4711

23101 Sherman Place, Suite 211West Hills CA 91307

DrLane@DentistWestHills.com

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MistyOffice Manager

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Thank you for telling your family and friends where you go for dental care.Here are some people who recently came for their first visit.

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Every year you receive a maximum amount from your dental insurance company, and in most cases the unused portion of this amount is

lost when the new insurance year starts. These are benefits you have already paid for so please give us a call and make the most of your

2017 dental insurance benefits.YOU’VE EARNED ‘EM SO USE ‘EM.

Insurance Benefits Don’t Last Forever