Beautiful bright smiles are on display everywhere this time of year. With awards shows in full-force, and people venturing out into the wide open with the onset of spring, all that exposure might have your teen thinking about having their teeth whitened. Or, maybe they’ve been thinking about it for some time now, and are curious if this is the right time to do it. That’s a great question.

And, it’s great question because the safety of tooth whitening isn’t really about the age of your teenager, it’s about the maturity of their teeth. If your teen is still in high school, it’s likely their teeth are still growing into the teeth they’ll have for the rest of their lives. Because of this, there are a few things you’ll need to explore before having them take the leap.

Knowing When Whitening is O.K.

Generally speaking, Dr. Lane does not recommend whitening until after the age of fifteen. Again, the reason isn’t age per se, but what is going on with the teeth of a teenager that is important. In teens, the tooth is still maturing in two very notable ways. First, the enamel in a teen’s mouth has often not reached its full stage of calcification. This means the tooth is more permeable, and can allow the bleaching agent to penetrate deeper into the tooth than is ideal. When this happens, it can often reach the still immature “tooth pulp” where the nerve resides. This is the second factor. As a tooth ages, this area shrinks a bit, but when

still young, it covers a larger area of the tooth, and if penetrated by the bleaching agent, can cause unwanted, and lingering pain and sensitivity.

Are You Considering Whitening at Home?Over-the-counter kits are also problematic for teens because the bleaching trays can expose the soft tissue to chemicals meant to be on the teeth – not the gums. Also, since the trays are mass-produced, they’re often ill-fitting for a teen’s mouth and can trigger TMJ issues. Lastly, bleaching at home, or bleaching too early in a teen’s life can sometimes lead to an unsightly mismatch of tooth color – the exact opposite of what the procedure is meant to accomplish. This happens when premature whitening re-colors the first series of secondary teeth while the late comers arrive with a natural tooth color. What makes this worse, is that attempts to correct the disparity after the fact might not work, and can leave a teen with permanently mismatched teeth. The same is true of teeth that have not fully erupted to their true height. Whitening these teeth can result in teeth that are whiter near the surface, but not so white at the gum line.

Only a dentist can provide you and your teen with the right information regarding teeth-whitening. If your teenager is interested in whitening, see Dr. Lane to explore with them the best time to undergo this procedure.

The “Why’s” of Mouth Weirdness!

A BEAUTIFUL SMILEA BEAUTIFUL SMILEA 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.

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Tis’ the Season for Teen Teeth Whitening…or is it?

Have you ever felt your mouth get itchy after enjoying certain types of fruits and vegetables? 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 Oral Allergy Syndrome.

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.

From there, the all-too-familiar itchy, scratchy, burning sensation 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.

Common Offenders if You’re Allergic to…• Alder pollen: almonds, apples, celery, cherries, hazelnuts,

peaches, pears, parsley, strawberry, and raspberry• Birch pollen: almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas,

carrots, celery, cherries, chicory, coriander, fennel, fig, hazelnuts, kiwi fruit, 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.

• 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.

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

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Uncomfortable Dentures? Maybe It’s Time For A Denture Reline.

If you’re a denture wearer, and your dentures have begun to fit less comfortably than in the past, you may wish to consider having them relined. Denture relining is a simple and affordable procedure that reshapes the underside of a denture to make it more comfortable as it rests against your gums. Relines are referred to as “soft” or “hard,” and can be completed either at the office, or in a lab. Both have advantages and disadvantages, so let’s take a look at the specifics to find a solution that might be good for you.

When a tooth is extracted from its place within the alveolar bone tissue that houses it, the tissue undergoes what is known as resorption, or a “breakdown” at the cellular level that takes its component materials and disperses them elsewhere throughout the body. In layman’s terms, this bony material is essentially “taken” back “into” the body for other use. Denture wearers experience most of this resorption within the first three to four months after extractions, and then gradually over time throughout the rest of one’s life.

As a result of this resorption, the gum tissue surrounding the alveolar bone experiences a change in density and shape that begins to cause a previously fitted denture to become more uncomfortable over time. This is where a denture reline can help.

Soft RelineSoft relines are often the preferred option for denture wearers simply because they tend to be more comfortable. This is particularly true if you’re a recent denture wearer with bone resorption still taking place at its most rapid rate, or if your gum tissue is just sensitive to the weight and feel of the denture. A soft reline can be done in the office (chairside) with a liquid polymer

that is layered into the denture to add depth and cushion. It’s a relatively quick procedure, and a secure, comfortable fit is achieved with input from you during your appointment.

The main advantage to a soft reline done chairside is how fast you can have your denture completed. In contrast, when a soft reline is done in a lab, you would need to be without your denture for whatever period of time it takes to complete the reline. A possible disadvantage to the soft reline – regardless of where it’s completed – is the fact that it may require more frequent fine-tuning due to its soft, porous nature. If this disadvantage matters to you, and you would rather sacrifice some comfort in favor of longevity, then a hard reline may be a better option for you.

Hard RelineA hard reline reshapes a denture in the same manner as does a soft reline, but it is done with a material more like the hardened denture base itself. The result is a more permanent reline fix that lasts more years than does a soft reline. It too can be done chairside, or at a lab, but sometimes Dr. Lane recommends it be sent out due to complications that can arise with fit and heat transfer of the materials used. As with a soft reline sent to a lab, you would be without your dentures for whatever time period it takes to complete the fix.

So, as you can see, denture relining is an effective method to reshape a denture when it starts to give you difficulty. It can also be used to repair a cracked denture, and is an excellent way to delay the cost of a new denture altogether. If you’re experiencing any discomfort with your dentures, ask Dr. Lane about a possible reline – you’ll be glad you did!

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Is your teenager concerned about their breath and constantly popping gum, mints or perhaps even candy in their mouth to freshen things up a bit? If you remember those years, you can hardly blame them. But, given that sweets aren’t exactly good for their teeth, we bet you’ve wondered at some point: “Wouldn’t it be great if, in addition to temporarily freshening breath, that same sweet also helped protect teeth from cavities?” Well, there are such wonderful treats, and the secret to their success is their not-so-secret natural ingredient list. Shall we explore?

The “Secret” Ingredients• Zylitol: Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from plants.

It doesn’t break down like sugar (a plus for Diabetics), and can help keep a neutral pH level in the mouth, which aids in preventing bacterial growth. Both of these traits are favorable in the fight against cavities. To be certain you’re getting enough Xylitol to reap its rewards, look for products where it’s listed as the first ingredient on the package.

• Maccha: Green tea, (or, Maccha as it’s known in Japan), is loaded with antioxidants that reduce inflammation, promote good breath, and reduce the overall level of cavity-inducing bacteria in the mouth. Because of this, it’s a great addition to mints and candy. Of course, you could

always serve green tea as a beverage at home for equal benefit, but if you’re looking to replace your teen’s current mint, gum or candy with something that’ll help freshen their breath and help their teeth, a quick web search is sure to turn up a few great options for you.

• Stevia: Stevia is a sugar substitute extracted from the plant Stevia rebaudiana. It has been used as a sweetener by the Guaraní people of Brazil and Paraguay for 1500 years. Recently introduced to the United States, and marketed under several brand names, Stevia is prized by low carb aficionados because it is 150 times as sweet as sugar, and has a “negligible” effect on blood sugar. It’s also heat stable (which means it can be used in baking), and is not fermentable (which means it’s good for your teeth)!

What Other Help is on the Horizon?Dentists and marketers are always teaming up to bring new products to market that’ll help our teeth. In the near future, look out for products containing probiotics, with the idea being that the presence of good bacteria counters bad bacteria, so why not put them in mouthwash and things of that nature and let ‘em fight it out in our mouth? And, of course, if you find something that freshens your breath and is tasty and not harmful to your teeth contact Dr Lane.

Mints and Gum That Can Help Reduce Cavities

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