October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we are taking time to recognize the amazing Breast Cancer Awareness organizations that are so supportive of our North Carolina communities. We especially want to note the amazing work that the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and 1 of Us Foundation are attributing and want to highlight some incredible events that you can be involved in this month.
What is the 1 of Us Foundation?
Since 2010, 1 of Us, founded as 1 in 9, has assisted more than 3,000 patients in cancer treatment. 1 of Us provides direct, non-medical financial assistance in the form of grocery assistance, gasoline or transportation to treatment, rent, utilities, childcare, and more. By partnering with UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh, and Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, women with breast and gynecological cancers who need help are identified by their medical teams and supported by 1 of Us.
1 of Us provides assistance that directly impacts the lives of women with breast and other gynecological cancers.
1 of Us Foundation Upcoming Events:
October 17th from 12 pm – 8 pm is Brueprint Brewing Company’s 1ofUs Fundraiser supporting Women’s Cancers. There will be a Cornhole Tournament, Mobile Mammogram Unit, Live Music, Food Trucks, and Raffle + Door Prizes! See more info on the 1 of Us Facebook page here.
November 7th is their 9th Annual Pink Tie Affair Gala and this year they are going virtual! To join the auction for a chance to bid on amazing prizes like a Cabin Stay in the NC Mountains visit the site here: bit.ly/PTA-11-7
What is the Kay Yow Cancer Fund?
The vision of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund is to be the premier non-profit organization dedicated to supporting innovative ways of fighting ALL cancers affecting women and providing support through giving strength, courage, and hope.
Battling stage IV cancer, Hall of Fame coach, Kay Yow, gave her final and lasting gift — the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. In the 12 years since its inception, the Fund has served as a catalyst, uniting communities in the fight against cancer.
Since the Fund’s inception, $7.78 million has been awarded to scientific research grants and programs that serve the underserved in the fight against ALL cancers affecting women.
Kay Yow Cancer Fund Upcoming Events:
Week of October 3rd-October 10th the Le Tour De Femme typically held in Holly Springs, NC will now be a virtual event! This is a virtual biking and cycling event for women to show support through donations and raise cancer awareness. Find out more details on the event here: https://www.letourdefemme.org/
Feb 22-27, 2021 is the 5th Annual Kay Yow Celebration(VIRTUAL) Run/Walk! The cost to register is $25/person, which includes a Kay Yow Cancer Fund branded item. We also encourage team fundraising! There will also be incentive prizes awarded for individuals whose fundraising meets incentive levels. All proceeds go to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund for Women’s Cancer research. Register here: https://kayyow.com/get-involved/celebration-run-walk/
August 2021 – The 12th Annual Kay Yow Cancer Fund Golf Classic will be held in Pinehurst, NC in August of 2021. Be on the lookout for more info here: https://kayyow.com/get-involved/golf-classic/
How is Lane & Associates giving back during Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
Lane & Associates are proud supporters of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the 1 of Us Foundation. This year LAA has donated $50,000 to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in support of research for ALL women’s cancers and has also given a generous donation to the 1 of Us Foundation for direct support to women battling Breast or Gynecological Cancer.
Presenting $50,000 Donation to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund at the last Play4Kay event at UNC
To view all of our community support efforts please visit our Community Involvement page here. We hope you have a chance to visit the sites of these amazing organizations and give back during the month of October.
Last but not least, we also want to give back to our patients and non-profit organizations they are passionate about. Be sure to keep an eye out on this week’s Freebie Friday email to enter for a chance to have LAA donate to your favorite Breast Cancer Awareness Organization in your name! At Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, we love to make you smile.
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Our Middlesex Dental Office
We are so excited to announce that LAA is now open at our new location in Middlesex, NC! Our team in Middlesex will begin seeing patients on September 29th and is accepting appointments online.
Why Choose Us?
Our Lane & Associates Middlesex dentists are offering all of our amazing services that are available at every Lane and Associates location. In addition to these services, our Middlesex patients will also have access to a beautifully renovated office with new flooring, paint, and features such as our Beverage stations with coffee, tea, soda, and water bottles. Furthermore, we have updated our lobby along with TVs in every operatory allowing patients customized entertainment during their treatment.
At Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, our motto is ‘We love to make you smile!” and we hope that the patients in Middlesex are excited to join our dental family and join our smiling Middlesex staff! We can’t wait to meet you!
September is Dental Infection Control Awareness Month (DICAM) and Lane & Associates is excited to share our commitment to ensuring safety at our offices!
The Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention (OSAP) is encouraging all dental organizations and dental staff to participate in this campaign with the goal of raising awareness, sharing infection control best practices, and joining the conversation on social media.
Our offices will be participating throughout the week in the daily OSAP Challenge on social media which has a specific theme for each day of this week!
INFECTION CONTROL DAILY THEMES:
Tuesday: Hand Hygiene Infection Control
Wednesday: Dental Unit Waterline Infection Control
Thursday: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Infection Control
Friday: Dental Instrument Sterilization Infection Control
What is Dental Infection Control?
Infection Control within the Dental Office is extremely important to ensure a clean environment for patients and staff. Due to the close interactions between patients, dental equipment, and dental employees in a dental office, having infection control systems in place and best practices is vital.
Gloves, masks, eyewear, and protective apparel help protect you and the dental team from exposure to potentially harmful microorganisms including COVID-19. It’s up to us to make sure we Break the Chain of infection so that every dental visit is a safe dental visit. Let’s review some best practices we implement in our dental offices.
1. Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene (e.g., handwashing or hand antisepsis) substantially reduces potential pathogens on the hands and is considered the single most critical measure for reducing the risk of transmitting organisms to patients and healthcare staff.
Washing our hands first before donning gloves means we’ve removed germs before putting our gloves on. That means that if the gloves get damaged, those germs will not transfer.
For routine dental examinations and nonsurgical procedures, handwashing and hand antisepsis is achieved by using either a plain or antimicrobial soap and water.
2. Dental Unit Waterline Treatment
Dental unit waterlines are the long, narrow tubes that run to the dental chair (unit). These waterlines carry water from the public water supply to the dental equipment we use to treat and clean your teeth.
We treat our dental unit waterlines on an ongoing basis with products specially designed to eliminate any germs. We also test the water regularly as recommended by the CDC, to make sure that everything is working properly.
As an added bonus, our offices are proud to utilize Sterisil Straws which have an automatic shock treatment that is released to kill pre-existing bacteria and the straw releases an EPA residual disinfectant ensuring our waterlines prevent bacteria for 365 days.
3. Personal Protective Equipment
All staff are trained on what type of PPE should be used and how to properly don and doff (i.e. put on and take off) their PPE. They are also trained on the limitations of PPE, proper care & maintenance of PPE, and proper disposal of PPE.
Patients are also given PPE during dental procedures such as sterile dental napkins & should be wearing their own masks when moving throughout the dental office during this time.
4. Dental Instrument Sterilization
All instruments are sterilized by cleaning them first, that’s because if there were any debris stuck to the instruments it would not be possible to properly sterilize them. After that, we place them in special closed pouches or wrap them. Then we place these in a UV sterilizer that kills every germ present on the instruments. The end result is clean and sterile instruments for each of our patients.
We test these sterilizers by following the CDC recommendations on using a special test kit containing spores—these are hardier than normal bacteria and germs. Using this test, we can check that the sterilizer is doing what it is supposed to do. If the hardy spores in the test kit are killed in the sterilizer then we know it is working to kill all of the germs, including COVID.
We hope this information is helpful to our patients and other dentists throughout the state. If you would like to learn more please visit the OSAP website here.
PATIENT CONTEST
We want to challenge our patients to follow our lead during DICAM month and want to give away some fun prizes to those that participate! Starting on Monday, September 28th we want to see your #LAADICAM20 posts! These can range from photos of your kids properly wearing their own PPE (their masks) to creating your own dental office at your house to videos of a fun dance while washing your hands!
Our Patient contest will run from Monday, September 28th at 8AM to Wednesday, September 30th at 12AM. We will pick Three Winners to receive Automatic Toothbrush Prize Sets (including Quip, Oral B, or Burst)!
Rules: Must be an LAA patient to participate. Must post your photo or video to your social media page and use #LAADICAM20 to be eligible for entry. We will contact the winner via social media. Good luck to all participants!
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In a fun twist, our Lane & Associates article about Sour Candy was featured as a source on Today.com’s latest article about Chrissy Teigen.
Chrissy Teigen is apparently a major fan of sour candy and admitted on a recent Instagram story that her pregnancy has given her even more cravings. This, of course, resulted in her tongue becoming very raw and starting to flake!
The North Carolina Dental Society Foundation Golf Challenge was held this past week in Pinehurst, NC at the Pinehurst Resort. Lane & Associates Family Dentistry was proud to be a Tournament Sponsor where all proceeds, totaling more than $40,000, were donated to the North Carolina Missions of Mercy Dental Programs and its free dental clinics.
Two of our teams participated in the Golf Challenge and our very own Dr. Raleigh Wright won the Putting Challenge (for the second year in a row!). Take a look at the photos below to see more of the golf tournament fun!
From left to right: Dr. Kellan Graham and his wife, Dr. Raleigh Wright, and LAA Hygienist Mark Williamson posing next to $5,000 Tournament Sponsors Banner.Nighttime putting challenge course.From left to right: Dr. Kellan Graham, Dr. Jeff Hooper, Mark Williamson, and Brian Bunch on Team Lane #1.From left to right: Lilly Holcomb, Dr. Alexander Crain, Dr. Raleigh Wright, and Blair Friday on Lane Team #2.Both of our Lane Teams!
Our golfers had a fantastic time supporting the North Carolina Dental Society Foundation while social distancing, and are excited to participate again in 2021!
Learn more about the North Carolina Dental Society Foundation and what they do to help the oral health of North Carolinians by checking out their website here. Also, if you have the opportunity to donate to their cause, you can donate to a great cause and enter for a chance to win a Luxury car worth up to $75,000 here!
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We’ve all been there before, sitting in the middle of a job interview or a first date and realizing that our breath is far from minty fresh. Even when everything else is going perfectly, bad breath can be enough to ruin your confidence and turn a good experience sour. Why do we get bad breath, and what can we do to stop it?
Oral Bacteria And The Food We Eat
In order to effectively fight bad breath, it’s important to figure out what’s causing it. The simplest and most common cause is leftover food particles stuck between our teeth after a meal. The bacteria in our mouths break down these particles, and the end result doesn’t smell good. We can combat this with a good daily hygiene routine, including daily flossing, twice-daily brushing, scraping our tongues clean, and chewing sugar-free gum.
Causes Of Chronic Bad Breath
Chronic cases of bad breath (also called halitosis) might not be solved by good oral hygiene practices alone. Halitosis may be caused by:
Chronic conditions. Sometimes, bad breath is linked to conditions that you wouldn’t think are connected to oral hygiene, such as diabetes, liver or kidney disease, and acid reflux.
Medications. A common side-effect of medications is dry mouth. Without saliva to wash away food particles and neutralize acid, the mouth is vulnerable to problems like bad breath.
Mouth-breathing. Whether it happens by habit or because breathing through the nose is difficult, mouth-breathing tends to dry out the mouth, leading to the same problems as described above.
Mouth, nose, and throat infections. Bad breath can be the result of increased mucous when we have a cold or sinus infection.
Pregnancy. Symptoms such as morning sickness and nausea can cause bad breath, because of the extra acid in the mouth. This is also a problem for people struggling with bulimia.
Tobacco products. Tobacco in any form leaves smelly chemicals in the mouth and can also dry it out. In addition, it increases the risk of oral cancer and gum disease, which negatively impact breath as well.
Tooth decay and gum disease. Poor dental health often goes hand-in-hand with chronic bad breath because cavities and periodontitis are caused by the same bacteria that produce those nasty-smelling chemicals.
Brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper is a good option.
Keeping Your Breath Fresh
Even if strict oral hygiene isn’t enough to keep the bad breath completely at bay, it will help to manage it, and treating the underlying cause may be able to eliminate it. If you are a habitual mouth-breather, try breathing through your nose more. Quitting smoking will eliminate a major cause of bad breath. If dry mouth is the problem, chew sugar-free gum and mints to stimulate saliva production, sip water, and use a humidifier to help keep up the moisture.
Your Dentist Can Help
Discovering the underlying cause of bad breath is a crucial step in fighting back, and the dentist is your best ally here. Schedule an appointment at Lane & Associates so that you can get the answers you need to fight bad breath the best way. We want all of our patients to feel confident about their breath!
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We received thousands of entries to our #VacaywithLAA Giveaway for a 3-night stay at an Emerald Isle Beach house this year and were absolutely blown away by the stories we received. After our finalists were chosen on July 20th, it was up to the public to vote to pick our winners. And here they are!!
GRAND PRIZE WINNER:
Daniel is our Grand Prize winner of a 3-Night Stay at an Emerald Isle Beach House!
2ND AND 3RD PLACE PRIZE WINNERS:
Jill and David are our 2nd and 3rd place winners who will each win a YETI Cooler!
Our remaining finalists will all also receive a Summer Prize Pack!
Be sure to join us in wishing these individuals a hearty congratulations! And thank you again to all of our patients, friends, and staff who participated. We know these times have been challenging for all of us and we thank you for sharing your stories with us. Keep a lookout for our #VacaywithLAA Giveaway in 2021, we hope to see you then!
At Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, we love to make you smile!
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So, you want to whiten your teeth. You’re not alone! In fact, when the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked what people would most like to improve about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth.
There Are Several Teeth Whitening Options
With so many teeth whitening products on the market, you may be left scratching your head as to which one you should choose. As with any type of treatment, it’s important to know all the facts so you can make the best choice for you and your unique smile! Some of the most common teeth whitening options are:
Whitening toothpaste
Whitening strips and gels
Tray-based teeth whiteners
In-office professional teeth whitening
Whitening Is Safest And Most Effective When Supervised By A Dentist
You should always consult with your dentist before deciding to whiten, as this cosmetic procedure isn’t for everyone. There are also many benefits to whitening treatment with your dentist!
For example, if you’re considering a tray-based tooth whitener, seeing your dentist is definitely your best option. Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth so that your mouthpiece tray is customized exactly to fit your teeth. This will ensure maximum contact between your teeth and the whitening solution as well as protect your gums.
If you choose in-office whitening, such as Zoom Whitening treatment, your dentist will provide additional protection for your gums and the soft tissue of your mouth so that no irritation from the whitening solution occurs. To do this, your dentist will apply a gel to the gum tissue or use a rubber shield.
With over-the-counter products, you’re on your own. Your dentist, however, will check your mouth, the type and extent of stains on your teeth, the number of dental restorations you have, and consider your medical history to decide which whitening option is best for your specific smile. They will oversee the process and results of the treatment to ensure the treatment’s safety and efficacy.
A Note To Parents
Teeth whitening is a big trend among teenagers. Parents should always supervise their teenagers’ use of whitening products as overuse or failure to follow directions can damage tooth enamel or irritate gums. Be sure to consult with your dentist before allowing your teenager to whiten to make sure they are at an appropriate age and stage of dental development for whitening.
Still curious about how whitening works? Check out the video below to learn more!
Keep Your Smile Beautiful
What truly keeps teeth bright, white, and healthy is daily brushing and flossing. But if you feel like your smile is lacking some sparkle or has yellowed over the years, give us a call or come in to see us! We’d be happy to help you brighten up that beautiful smile of yours.
In fact, did you know we offer a Free Teeth Whitening Program to our patients? Find out if you are eligible for this free offer by contacting us today! At Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, we love to make you smile!
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Our High Point Dental Office
We are so excited to announce that LAA is now open at our new location in High Point, NC! Our team in High Point will begin seeing patients on July 20th and is accepting appointments online.
Our High Point Team
We are also excited that Dr. Haley Nichols will begin seeing patients at this newly renovated location Monday through Friday and is thrilled to join the High Point community. Our High Point Office Manager, dental assistants, and front desk staff are all ready to meet you!
Why Choose Us?
Our Lane & Associates High Point dentists are offering all of our amazing services that are available at every Lane and Associates location. In addition to these services, our High Point patients will also have access to a beautifully renovated office with new flooring, paint, and features such as our Beverage stations with coffee, tea, soda, and water bottles. Furthermore, we have added a brand new Kids iPad station in our lobby, a charging station, along with TVs in every operatory allowing patients customized entertainment during their treatment.
At Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, our motto is ‘We love to make you smile!” and we hope that the patients in High Point are excited to join our dental family and join our smiling High Point staff! We can’t wait to meet you!
We’ve all been there. You sit down for your dental appointment, ready and prepared for a filling or crown, and then…the blood pressure cuff comes out. And we think, “What’s this for?” Read along as we get answers on why your dentists and dental hygienists check your blood pressure at your dental appointment.
Why did they take my blood pressure at the dentist?
There are many reasons why the dentist or assistant may need to check your blood pressure at your appointment. This can range from establishing your baseline to alerts in hypertension to measuring your anxiety levels. Namely, your blood pressure is key to understanding your overall health at the time of your appointment.
This is especially important since many Americans see their dentist more often than their physician at every 6-month cleaning. It’s a crucial health check and an opportunity to understand the changes in your overall health.
Can dental problems cause high blood pressure?
As humans, our bodies react differently when we are in pain or experiencing high anxiety. If you have high blood pressure, your dentist may need to adjust your treatment plan. Once determined, your dentist can make a better customized treatment plan for your specific needs.
For example, some dentists may be able to offer light sedation options for those patients who have high anxiety which is causing their blood pressure to rise. Additionally, patients who are in pain from a tooth that needs to be extracted will see a drop in their blood pressure after that painful tooth has been removed.
In extremely hypertensive situations, however, you may be asked to visit your primary care physician to discuss ways to reduce your blood pressure before beginning any dental care treatment.
What blood pressure is too high for dental treatment?
Obviously this range is going to depend on many factors. The type of procedure, whether or not you are currently taking blood pressure medications, and many other health history factors. Typically, however, high blood pressure is considered to be 140/90 or above. Also, if your top number (systolic) is greater than 140 or your bottom number (diastolic) is greater than 90, you may have high blood pressure no matter what the other number reads.
If you are suffering from hypertension, your physician can determine the best course of action. This may include blood pressure medication or lifestyle changes. Many dentists and oral surgeons will also require medical approval from your cardiologist or physician before they will operate.
Can I refuse to have my blood pressure taken at the dentist?
Ultimately, your blood pressure allows dentists and hygienists to know that you are healthy enough to endure the treatment. It also gives them an indication as to which form of anesthetic to use (for example, anesthetics without epinephrine). By refusing, you are consequently putting your own health at risk and your dentist will most likely refuse to proceed. Taking your oral health seriously is important to your overall health and well-being.
Taking the time to check these key health measures is an incredibly important step in your dental treatment.
Start your treatment today!
At Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, we not only check your blood pressure, but also offer oral cancer screenings, oxygen level checks, and pulse checks. The combination of these factors & our many other services, let’s us know how best to treat our patients and make their experience with us truly one that makes them smile. If you are looking for a dentist that takes your overall health seriously, contact us today!
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Happy Holidays, From Our Family To Yours!
Our offices will be closed from December 24th through December 29th to celebrate the holidays. We’ll be back and ready to assist you on Monday, December 30th.
We wish you a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year!
Since 2010, 1 of Us, founded as 1 in 9, has assisted more than 3,000 patients in cancer treatment. 1 of Us provides direct, non-medical financial assistance in the form of grocery assistance, gasoline or transportation to treatment, rent, utilities, childcare, and more. By partnering with UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh, and Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, women with breast and gynecological cancers who need help are identified by their medical teams and supported by 1 of Us.
The vision of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund is to be the premier non-profit organization dedicated to supporting innovative ways of fighting ALL cancers affecting women and providing support through giving strength, courage, and hope. 
