Since starting down the healthy habits road in 2021, we’ve all been hearing how beneficial water is to our bodies and our overall well-being. But let’s talk about specifics! How does water specifically help our teeth? We’re gonna dive in on that question today, read on. 

 

What are my teeth made of?

First, let’s talk about what our teeth are made of. Our teeth are composed of four main tissues: dentin, cementum, pulp, and enamel. Enamel is the outermost layer that is stronger than anything in our bodies (even our bones!) and contains minerals such as calcium phosphate. The next layer is dentin, this is the softer portion of our teeth that is susceptible to cavities. When enamel breaks down, this is where our teeth start to form cavities. Next, the inner core of your tooth is called the pulp – this is where your connective tissue and nerves lie. 

tooth structure

Are Teeth the Same as Bones?

No. The biggest difference between our bones and our teeth is that our bones can heal over time if they break or shatter – teeth cannot. This is why it’s so important to regularly visit your dentist, brush, and floss daily. 

 

So how exactly does drinking water help my teeth? 

Water acts as a neutral party. When coming into contact with acidic drinks like sodas or coffee it helps to neutralize these acidic situations and creates an environment that our teeth enjoy. 

Water also contributes to saliva production and washing away bacteria that like to form on the surfaces of our teeth. If your water contains fluoride, this is also beneficial to your enamel because it hardens the surface – making you less susceptible to cavities.

 

Help Fight Cavities the Easy way

Teeth are slightly porous and do absorb materials – not like a sponge but more like a stone that can be withered away over time. So it’s important for us to maintain a consistent habit of drinking water and essentially ‘flushing’ out the bad particles or acidic materials that can build up over time to create cavities, cause discoloration or yellowing, or lead to periodontal disease. The easiest way to do this? Drink your water, brush & floss daily, and visit your dentist.

 

Have more questions about the benefits of drinking water for your teeth? Learn more on the ADA’s website here.

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Giving Back at Lane & Associates

This past Saturday, January 16th our staff at the Cary Green Level office held a Free Dental Outreach Clinic. Lane & Associates strives to give back to the community through these dental outreach services once every quarter if possible. We were so thrilled that patients who attended our clinic were able to receive dental treatment ranging from Dental cleanings to Dental extractions!

Happy patient at Lane and Associates
Happy patient with Dr. Ed Howard on left.

Staff attending this event included our Cary Dentists: Dr. Ed Howard, Dr. Mike DesRosiers, and Dr. Andy Ciesielski, and our Cary Office Manager, Heather Egan. We also had our incredible Dental Assistants & Treatment Coordinators to help during the event, including, Sarah Benore, Jaida Halleran, Kendall Brooke, and Mikayla Egan. Check out photos from the event below!

Dr. Mike DesRosiers helping patients with dental care.

 

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Lane & Associates is so proud to sponsor the upcoming 2021 Kay Yow Cancer Fund Celebration Run/Walk!

2021 is about YOU! You pick the time, the distance, the place — run or walk, it doesn’t matter. Be a part of our virtual team and let’s raise more money for cancer than ever before! All proceeds go to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in the fight against ALL women’s cancers. The Celebration Run/Walk will run from February 22nd – February 27th and registration is now open at $25 per person.

kay yow celebration walker smiling

The 2021 event will feature live-streamed programming from Scotty McCreery (Country Superstar), Buzz Peterson (Charlotte Hornets), Jeff Gravley, Joe Ovies (99.9 The Fan), Josh Martin, Cindy Alexander, Jessica & Joe Giglio, Cancer Warriors, Kay Yow’s Former Players, & much more!

As a special for our patients, we are giving away 5 Registrations on our Lane & Associates team! If you’d like to join us, fill out the form below for a chance to win!

Ready to join our team or donate to this cause? You can find our team online here. We hope to “see” you there! You don’t want to miss this opportunity to encourage and be uplifted! Learn more about the Kay Yow Celebration Virtual Run/Walk here.

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It’s National Get Organized Month, and one way we love to organize is by planning out our health goals for the year. Are you creating vision boards and looking for healthy habits to start in 2021? We’ve got a list of 7 Healthy Habits to Start in 2021, read more below!

1. Brushing 2x per day for 2 minutes.

Of course, as dental professionals you know we had to start with the obvious. Our first healthy habit to start in 2021 is Brushing twice daily for 2 minutes and flossing at least once per day (if not more!). This sounds repetitive but we’re serious, brushing for two minutes is longer than you think! Our suggestion, find your favorite 2-minute long song and play it while you brush. This will help you to keep on track and to realize just how long 2 minutes of brushing really is! 

2. Getting Active for at least 30 minutes Daily.

We don’t mean doing sprints and hurdles for 30 minutes (unless you’re into that sort of thing) but simply taking a brisk walk around the neighborhood or even during your lunch break. It’s amazing what a small habit change like this can do to your overall health.

girl drinking water

3. Choosing Water First.

And we mean it too! Before you go for that cup of morning joe, grab some water first. This will help start your engines and create a less acidic environment for your gut. Water has so many benefits for your body: teeth, skin, hair, nails… this list could go on and on. So during 2021, think to yourself, “Choose water first” before diving into the same soda or sweet tea throughout the week. It will definitely be a habit to continue!

4. Getting the Sunshine Vitamin.

Sunlight, fresh air, and Vitamin D are a combination as old as time. They are so beneficial for your mental and physical health. According to Healthline, Vitamin D has three key benefits: improving resistance to certain diseases, fighting depression, and improving overall bone and teeth health. Whether you get your Vitamin D from walks outdoors or through supplements, this is a healthy habit to continue into 2021.

5. Putting down the Devices 30 Minutes Before Bed.

This is a healthy habit that many of us should be adopting ASAP. Studies show that your brain has a hard time winding down before bed if you have an electronic device in front of you (due to less production of melatonin). So turning off your devices 30 minutes before your ideal sleep time is a must. Our suggestion? Read a book that’s not too captivating or turn on some sleep sounds. Zzzzz

tracking steps outdoors

6. Giving Yourself Step Goals.

One of the best investments in your health in 2021 is tracking your steps via a fitness watch. Don’t have a fitness watch? You can also track your steps using your phone’s Health app. It may not track every step but it will at least track the steps you take with your phone. Giving yourself a step goal is one easy way to increase your movement throughout 2021. Start with a lower step goal and change out your daily goal once every month. If you use fitness watches, you can also join challenges within the app itself which are really fun if you have any sort of competitive spirit. 

7. Planning Out Your Meals Each Week.

This one is relatively self-explanatory but really goes a long way to stay consistent with any dietary or budgeting goals you’ve set for yourself or your family. Investing in a planner (whether that be digital or physical) and listing out meal options for the week + a grocery shopping list will create a balanced week. Plus, you won’t have to do the “What do you want to eat? No, what do YOU want to eat?” battle. Win-win! 

 

We hope these 7 Healthy Habits to Start in 2021 give you plenty of ideas for your own health journey & can lead you towards a healthier future. If you’re searching for more ways to improve your dental health, read our blog about Calcium & all of its amazing benefits or schedule an appointment with us today! At Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, we love to make you smile!

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