Posted on January 27, 2020January 27, 2020

In anticipation of Groundhog Day 2020, we wanted to take a closer look at some of the world’s most interesting animal teeth! Especially Groundhogs like our Laney!

GROUNDHOGS
Groundhogs have 18 chewing teeth, as well as four chisel-shaped incisors. Their two upper incisors constantly grow—about 1/16 of an inch every week! So groundhogs must constantly gnaw on leaves, trees, grass, and roots to keep the growth in check. Without a shadow of a doubt, groundhogs have some interesting pearly whites. Keep reading to learn about more animals with unique sets of teeth!

GIRAFFES
When it comes to their number of teeth, giraffes and humans are neck and neck. We both have 32 teeth! Giraffes also have an estimated 20-inch tongue for all their snacking needs!

ALLIGATORS
Alligators have between 74 and 80 teeth in their mouth at a time, but as their teeth wear down, new ones constantly replace them. A single alligator can go through as many as 3,000 teeth in one lifetime!

HORSES
Did you know you can estimate the age of a young horse based on its number of developed teeth? Typically by age five, they have a full set of teeth. A fully developed horse of around five years of age will have between 36 and 44 teeth. All equines are heterodontous, which means that they have different shaped teeth for different purposes. All horses have twelve incisors at the front of the mouth, used primarily for cutting food, most often grass, whilst grazing.

NARWHALS
Narwhals live in Arctic waters around Greenland, Canada, and Russia. You may recognize a narwhal from the long, hornlike tusk protruding from its head. But did you know that this tusk is actually an overgrown tooth? Read more about Narwhals and their tusk on the BBC article here.

BLUE WHALES
This may be surprising but blue whales do not even have teeth. Instead, the blue whale has a structure called a baleen plate. Shaped like a comb, the bristles of the baleen let water pass through while trapping prey. Once caught, the whale brings in the food with its massive tongue.

Hopefully, you found out some fun facts about interesting animal teeth! Let us know if you have any questions about these tooth tidbits & be on the lookout on Groundhog day to see if Laney sees his shadow! #GroundhogDay2020 #Feb2nd

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Posted on January 20, 2020January 21, 2020

AS WE LEAD UP TO THE 54TH ANNUAL SUPER BOWL we know that our sports-loving patients (and those in it for the food!) are getting hyped for the game. It probably reminds you of your time playing sports growing up or cheering your kids and family members on in their favorite activity. There’s no doubt about it–playing sports can be a magical thing.

We love it when our patients are having fun and being active, but unfortunately, sports-related dental injuries happen all the time. That’s why we make custom mouthguards in our practice, so you and your children can always play it safe!

Wear A Mouthguard And Reduce Your Risk Of Injury

You may be surprised to learn that up to 40 percent of dental injuries are sustained during sports activities. In fact, not wearing a mouthguard makes you 60 times more likely to sustain an injury to the face and mouth! Wearing a mouthguard during recreational as well as competitive sports activities decreases both the frequency and severity of the injury.

A fractured, chipped or knocked-out tooth isn’t the only thing a mouthguard safeguards against. Did you know that wearing a mouthguard can also help prevent more serious injuries such as concussions, jaw fractures, and neck injuries? Not to mention the protection it provides for the soft tissues of the mouth like the tongue, lips, and cheeks.

This is especially true for those of you with braces. Not only are your braces an investment you should protect, but those metal brackets can be especially damaging to your mouth if you’re hit by a stray ball or elbow. On top of that, if your braces are damaged, there may be a delay in your orthodontic treatment.

Custom Mouthguards Provide More Comfort And Protection

When it comes to purchasing a mouthguard, you have a couple of different options. A custom-fit mouthguard made specifically for you by a dental professional is the most effective and comfortable choice. We can even specially customize your mouthguard for the specific sport you play. Custom mouthguards are:

Less likely to be displaced during the action because of their custom fit.
Durable and tear-resistant. Custom mouthguards last longer due to the higher quality of materials used to construct them.
More fitted and less bulky. This adds to the overall comfort and makes talking, breathing and swallowing easier.

Your Smile Is Worth Protecting

Customized specifically for your smile, the mouthguards we make in our practice provide superior safety and genuine comfort. Your smile is worth protecting. Talk to us today about your own custom mouthguard by contacting us online or scheduling an appointment!

We love to make our patients smile! Ask us more about Mouthguards & any other dental-related questions by filling out this form or calling 877-LANE-DDS.

THE CONTENT ON THIS BLOG IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF QUALIFIED HEALTH PROVIDERS WITH QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

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Posted on January 11, 2020

We’ve all heard the common phrase “milk can build strong bones!” But what does it really mean for your dental health? Seeing as this Saturday, January 11th is National Milk Day, we wanted to take a deeper dive into the world of milk. Join us as we answer questions regarding milk, calcium, and your teeth!

What types of Food contain Calcium?

As we all know, a healthy diet of balanced nutritious food is key to a healthy life. This includes our oral health! According to the ADA, the three most common nutrients needed to build healthy bones and teeth are Calcium, Phosphorous, and Vitamin D. Some Calcium-containing foods are broccoli, cabbage, oranges, salmon, beans, and of course dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk.

How is Milk Good for My Teeth?

In recent studies, findings have observed that drinking milk can actually help to prevent tooth decay and help strengthen tooth enamel. More specifically, research has shown that milk and dairy products contain a protein called Casein. When combined with calcium and phosphorus, casein creates a protective protein film over the enamel surface of the tooth. This has the ability to reduce the risk of tooth decay and increase enamel strength!

How Much Milk Should I Be Drinking?

Overall, it’s more important to be intaking a certain amount of calcium in your diet – and not all necessarily from milk. But when it comes down to it, the easiest way to make sure you are getting enough calcium is by having 3 servings of dairy products per day according to the American Heart Association.

The benefits of drinking milk are not limited to just healthy teeth but also a healthy body. When combined with a nutritious diet full of vitamins and minerals, drinking milk can ultimately lead to lower caries, less chance of tooth loss, and stronger tooth enamel. As always, if you have any questions regarding your oral health and wish to speak to a medical professional, please contact our doctors by filling out our online form or email us at info@lanedds.com.

Written by: Kaitlin Painter, Digital Marketing & Content Manager

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Posted on January 6, 2020

At the beginning of the year, we all take stock of what resolutions we want to invest in. Whether it be healthy changes, organizational changes, or even small steps to be kinder to ourselves. An amazing resolution that many of our patients take advantage of is to invest in orthodontics for a straighter smile.

Top 3 Reasons to Straighten Your Teeth:

Aesthetic Reasons
Oral Health
Improve your Bite & Help improve your Sleep

Straighter Teeth Give Better First Impressions

Aesthetically, straighter teeth are not only more appealing but also instill a greater amount of confidence. Studies show that 29% of first impressions in adults are due to a person’s smile and straighter teeth are considered a major strength. If you check out the image below from a study through Invisalign, straighter smiles lead to higher employment rates, salaries, more likely to attract a partner on dating sites, and even considered friendlier or happier people.

Straighter Teeth Lead to Better Overall Health

Another important reason to straighten teeth is to improve your overall oral health. Crowding and spacing issues can lead to plaque buildup since the teeth are harder to keep clean. If the floss is unable to reach certain areas the buildup could potentially lead to cavities and gum issues later in life. The American Dental Association even states that “correcting the problem can create a nice-looking smile, but more importantly, orthodontic treatment results in a healthier mouth.”

According to the ADA, not correcting an abnormal bite could result in further oral health problems, including:

tooth decay
gum disease
tooth loss
affected speech and/or chewing
abnormal wear to tooth enamel
jaw problems

Straighter Teeth Can Help With Sleep

Last but not least, straightening your teeth this New Year can also help improve your bite and reduce your risk for sleep apnea. Those with a large overbite or improper jaw alignment can sometimes cause obstructive sleep apnea. If a patient’s sleep apnea is caused by an orthodontic issue in the mouth, such as an overbite, then braces or oral appliances can help correct this issue gradually over time.

Overall, investing in a straighter smile by utilizing orthodontics like Invisalign can not only improve your confidence but also improve your overall health. If you would like to speak to one of our dentists or orthodontists, contact Lane & Associates at the form below or schedule a free orthodontic consultation to see what our team can do for your smile!

Written by: Kaitlin Painter, Digital Marketing & Content Manager

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Posted on January 1, 2020

Happy 2020 from Lane DDS!

We are so elated that 2020 is finally arriving not only because this is the start of a New Year but also because we are celebrating 40 years in business!! Dr. and Mrs. Lane started their first practice in 1980. Lane & Associates has since grown to over 30 general practices with 10 specialty locations! We are proud to say that we employ over 450 amazing dental professionals in North Carolina including over 60 doctors.

It is amazing to see how far we’ve come in the last 40 years and the incredible relationships we’ve been able to develop with our patients. Some of our patients have been with us since day one & we thank you for the loyalty you’ve shown us. We are also incredibly thankful to be a part of so many communities throughout North Carolina & consistently give back through volunteer work, sponsorships, & so much more.

Again, thank you to all of our friends and family in the dental community and beyond. We are incredibly thankful to be apart of your lives.

Happy 2020! Let’s make this the best year yet!

Written by: Kaitlin Painter, Digital Marketing & Content Manager

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