A BEAUTIFUL SMILE

Office Staff

MistyOffice Manager

Teresa, Registered Dental AssistantLeslie, Registered Dental Assistant

Meredith, Registered Dental HygenistJo, Registered Dental Hygenist

Schedule an Appointment

Call us at: 818.224.4711

23101 Sherman PlaceSuite 211

West Hills CA 91307

DrLane@DentistWestHills.com

Follow us on Twitter:www.twitter.com/Dr_Lane_DMD

Like us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/DrLaneDMD

2016 www.DentistWestHills.com

Welcome to a different kind of dental experience

Mouth Healthy FoodsVitamin 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 AvoidJust 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.

Please Don’t Keep Us A Secret.We love your referrals!

Did you enjoy the articles?

Thank you for telling your family and friends where you go for

dental care.

Visit our website to read our blog!www.DentistWestHills.com

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”.

Our Mission & Philosophy

Dental Facts We’re GuessingYou Didn’t Know

» 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 suffer from periodontal disease.

» 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 have anywhere from 6 to 10 cavities.

» 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.

» 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!

» 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!

» Human teeth can detect a grain of sand or grit just ten microns (that’s 1/25,000 of an inch) in diameter!

» Studies show that your teeth are one of the first things your date notices about you.

» An inmate in a West Virginia jail actually escaped over an 18-foot wall after collecting enough dental floss to braid into a rope.

» Before 1938, when nylon bristles were introduced, swine bristles were used in toothbrushes.

» George Washington’s dentures were partially made from hippopotamus teeth.

Congratulations Simi!

Simi 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.

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.

and the Winner is.... Simi!

Our mission is to provide our patients with the finest care and most comfortable dental experience in theSan 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.

How To Deal With the Snorer In Your Bedto buying your partner breathing strips and it hasn’t worked, it might be time to make them an appointment to see Dr. Lane.

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.

But first let’s learn a bit more about the problem.

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.

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

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!

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,

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.

“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.

Patient TestimonialsSchedule an Appointment

Call us at: 818.224.4711

23101 Sherman Place, Suite 211West Hills CA 91307

DrLane@DentistWestHills.com