Halloween Teeth Tips

The season for treats has arrived, and halloween hits the hardest when it comes to sugar and candy. Between Trick-or-treating, carnivals, school activities and kids parties, you could probably have enough candy to last you a few years, and yet your kids could probably finish it within a week's time. So what do you for your kids to enjoy the holiday, but not completely destroy their teeth? Here are some tips:

1. Make a deal with your kids before the fun starts. Let them know that you want them to enjoy the holiday by dressing up, going to parties, and enjoying their treats, but that they have to agree to let you help monitor their candy intake. 

2. Educate them. We as adults know the consequences of a sugar overdose. But your kids may not, so let them know about the tummy aches and cavities that come from too much junk food. They may not seem to care, but it will sink in after some time.

3. Chocolate over chewy candy. When it comes to your teeth and sugar, it's all about time. How long is that candy going to stay in your mouth and on your teeth? Chocolate dissolves quickly, while gummy bears can get stuck in the crevices of your teeth. The less time sugar stays in your mouth, the smaller the chances of cavities forming!

4. Rinse and Brush. Once the sugar intake is over, have your kids rinse their mouths out with water, then brush their teeth. The rinsing will help get a lot of the bacteria out of their mouth, and then the brushing will hopefully finish the job!

5. GO TO THE DENTIST! No matter how great your child brushes his/her teeth, they won't get all of the build up off their teeth. Take them to the dentist for a cleaning so they can help keep their teeth stay healthy. 

We have our $39 Holiday special for an exam, x-ray and cleaning! So Call us at (310) 398-5400! Have fun, and happy halloween!

How Do you Choose Your Dentist?

It seems there are dental offices on every corner of Los Angeles. They each seem to offer great deals, and great service. But how do you know if you're picking the right dentist? Having worked at several different dental offices, and with many different dentists, I am extremely picky and careful about who touches my teeth and gums. And let me tell you, Le Chic is on the top of my personal list. Here's why:

1. Comfort - Most people hate going to the dentist. They are uncomfortable and there seems to be an uneasiness when you walk through the door. In my experience, 1 out of 3 patients immediately compliment the office when they walk in. For a moment they forget they are in a dental office because our office looks and feels like a home. There is a calm and peaceful feeling, and I have even seen several people fall asleep on the couch!

2. Friendliness - Most of our staff will know you by name. The doctor's are down to earth and fun. Most people are surprised to know that our dentists have been practicing for a decade because not only do they look young, but they are so fun and energetic. I have worked with many dentists that are grumpy and you're lucky to get a hello before they dive into your mouth.

3. Knowledge - Chances are if you have a question, we have an answer. And if we don't we will try to find it. Whether it's insurance, what a procedure entails, or even directions on how to get to the office, we will try our best to help you. I've been to too many offices where it seems no one knows anything that's going on, and don't care to find the information either. 

4. Skills - Did you know that according to http://www.usdentalschools.com/top_school_rankings/, USC Dental school is in the top 10 dental schools in the nation? Both Dr. Sadri and Dr. Hadian are graduates from USC Dental School! I bring all of my family and friends to this office because I know they are in good hands, and will be happy when they are done.

5. Flexible - Need a root canal and can't afford it? I worked for a dental office that would never offer discounts to their patients. They were all about the money, and didn't care about the patient. At Le Chic, I have been impressed time and time again by the kindness of our doctors. They are always willing to work with their patients on pricing. Whether it's through a payment plan, or discounted services, they will do their best to help you with your financial needs.

6. They Care - I have heard from patient after patient talk about how grateful they are for our dentists, and what great people they are. I couldn't agree more. I will always work for Le Chic Dentist.  It's rare to find a dentist that genuinely cares about their patients, and their employees. When I lost a baby a few months ago, Dr. Hadian called me almost every other day to see how I was doing. Genuine kindness is hard to find, and not only our doctors, but our staff are genuinely concerned about your needs.

There is a reason we get referral after referral. Patients love our office, and we love our patients! 

Kids and the Dentist

Many adults don't like going to the dentist. They dread it, and even hate it. And kids tend to feel the same way, but it's necessary to get their check up and cleanings. So how do you get your kids to go the dentist without all the kicking and screaming? We are going to give you some tips on making that dental visit a little more pleasant.

1. Don't show fear - One of the big reasons kids are scared of the dentist is because their parents are scared themselves. Have the words, "I dread going to the dentist" or "I hate going to the dentist" come out of your mouth? Even if you don't like going to the dentist, try not to show that to your children. They can sense it and believe it even before they set foot in a dental office.

2. Start them young - Some of our patients aren't even a year old, but their parents bring them so that they can get into the habit of visiting the dentist. When their teeth are just coming in it's good to check their gums and your kids get to know their dentist so that if anything pops up (aka a cavity), they can catch it small which is much less painful. 

3. Let them know - If your child is terribly afraid of the dentist, let the office know beforehand so they can prepare for them better. Let them know what music they like, or possibly even a show they watch. Many dental offices have computer screens that can play their favorite music or put in a DVD that can help distract them. Also inform your child on what to expect when they meet with the dentist. Let them know about the instruments they use and the x-rays they take. It won't be as scary if they know better what they will be doing there.

4. Keep them clean - The more your child brushes and keeps their dental hygiene up, the less the chances they will get cavities or other problems. Use timers on their toothbrushes to help them brush properly, and if flossing seems to be difficult for them to get used to, look into a floss pick.

5. Feed them well - Try avoiding soda, candy and other sugary drinks to prevent cavities. Pick snacks like apples and carrots that are better for their teeth and health.

Hope these help and we hope to see you soon!

Dental Insurance – Maximize It!

Dental Insurance – Maximize It!

Do you have dental insurance? Are you using it? Did you know you could me missing out on hundreds, and even thousands of dollars worth of insurance benefits EACH YEAR? Here are some tips to help you get the most of your dental benefits:

1. Plan It! Most Insurance plans cover two cleanings (prophylaxis) and two exams per year at 100% of the cost! That’s right, you could be getting regular cleanings fully covered by your insurance! So set it on your calendar to go every 6 months!

2. Get it straight! Many PPO insurance plans will offer typically between $1000-2500 for orthodontic services! That’s hundreds/thousands of dollars to use towards Invisalign or braces!

3. Use It or Lose It! PPO insurance plans tend to have an annual maximum between $1000-2000 yearly. Most of the time, if you didn’t use it by the end of the year, those benefits for that year go to waste!

4. Fill It! Have a cavity? Get it filled! Many insurance plans cover 75-90% of your basic dental care, and that includes getting those cavities filled! It’s much better to fill a cavity than it is to deal with a root canal!

 5. Find out! Find out what services your plan offers! Do you have secondary coverage? You may have double coverage for all your services! Do you grind your teeth at night? See if you have night guard coverage! Missing a tooth? Find out if you have implant coverage! There are so many services you may be missing out on simply because you didn’t know you had them!

6. Work with it! Most dental offices offer affordable payment plans so that you can get your dental care done, maximize your dental insurance benefits, and still be affordable!

 So there you have it! You could be saving hundreds, and taking care of your dental health!

Back to School dental tips

Back to School Dental Tips:
It's time to go back to school ! We recommend a summer teeth check up & cleaning!
Visit your dentist to see if any of the molars are out! Have the dentist place sealants on the molars!

4 great tips:
1.  Brush at least twice a day ( kids can use  adult help up to age 8)
2. Floss Floss Floss
2.  Pack healthy snacks ( apples are great)
3. Visit a dentist twice a year (summer & spring)

Kids brush longer with:
Electronic toothbrushes
Character toothbrushes
Singing toothbrushes

How long to brush for:
At least 2 minutes

Holistic Approach to Healthy Teeth & Gum

Holistic Approach to Healthy Teeth & Gum

Oil pulling has been an ancient remedy for oral health!

It  has been a natural & traditional way to boost oral health!

What to use?

Coconut oil

What is the process?
It is recommended to do the oil pulling in the morning, before eating or drinking anything.
1. Take one tablespoon of the oil, and swish it in your mouth. You will begin to notice the oil getting watery.
2. Continue the swishing in your mouth, but do not swallow! (15-20 mins is said to be an effective amount of time)
3. Just spit it out! You're done! It's easy, and known to be very helpful.

Benefits:

Detoxifies

Clear Sinuses 

Improves bad breath

Strengthen gums

Brightens Teeth

Cost:

$5-$10 a jar

What if it doesn't work:

Use the remaining oil to saute your vegetables with! 

We love Invisalign!

Why?
Because it transforms & brings confidence to your smile.

What is Invisalign?
Invisalign consists of custom made clear aligners that shift your teeth into place.
It's metal free,
Invisible,
Super effective,

And can even be a defense against potential gum disease.

More About Invisalign:
- Removable Aligners
- Clear Aligners
- Freedom to eat whatever food you love!
- Straightens your teeth
- Easier to brush & floss your teeth
- Comfortable
- Only requires a 4-6 week visit to your dentist

Cost:
$2999-$5999

Maintenance for beautiful straight teeth for life-time?
Simply by wearing your retainers

Veneer Makeover

When Natalia first came to our office she wouldn't smile or show her teeth. She'd had terrible experiences with dentists, but decided to take a chance on us. And boy are we glad she did! Through process of root canals, laser treatment, a deep cleaning, porcelain veneers and crowns, her dental health and smile transformed. We will describe each treatment in the future, but today we want to focus on veneers.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Veneers are very thin layers of porcelain that are cemented to the top layer of a tooth.

Why are they used?

Often, veneers are placed for cosmetic purposes, but in many cases are used to enforce the structure of a tooth if it has been damaged in any way.

What is the porcelain veneer process?

1. A very thin layer of the tooth/teeth is shaved down 

2. An impression of the tooth/teeth is taken and sent out to be made by a dental lab. 

3. A temporary veneer/s (typically made of resin material) is placed.

4. Typically within a couple of weeks the permanent veneer(s) are made

5. The temporary veneer is replaced with the permanent veneer and cemented.

How long do they typically last?

Depending on where they are made, and the quality of materials used, veneers should usually last 10-20 years.

How many should I get?After consulting with your dentist, he/she may suggest anywhere from a single veneer, to 20 veneers. For cosmetic purposes, veneers are typically placed in sets of 2, 4,6,8, etc. Most tend to get 6-8 veneers to cover their smile line. Some get them just on their top anterior teeth, while others get them on both the top and bottom portion of their smile lines. It really varies from patient to patient.

What is the cost a porcelain veneer? 

Porcelain veneers can be very expensive, however, they are very affordable at our office. Every case is different based on the number of veneers needed, but we will always work with our patients on the price and also offer payment plans!

Please come in for a consultation so that we can help your smile transformation!

310.398.5400

lechicdentist@gmail.com

Tips for a Brighter and Whiter Smile

I have to admit, when I first heard that Dr. Hadian drank coffee through a straw I thought it was a little weird. But when I noticed that her teeth were perfect, and I mean, all the time, her weirdness turned to genius. So I picked her brain a little more to find out how she maintains her smile, and here are some suggestions:

- Drink any "staining" drinks through a straw (coffee, tea and soda for example)
- Avoid eating foods that stain your teeth (like berries, balsamic vinegar, and beets)
- Eat your apples! They help whiten your teeth and freshen your breath.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Drink lots of water, and also rinse your mouth thoroughly after eating.
- Go to your dentist (preferably be Dr. Hadian! or Dr. Sadri) at least twice a year for your cleanings!!
- and... Get a professional whitening done! (We have the in the house $99 whitening special right now.)

I've been following her suggestions, and I get compliments all the time on how "perfect" my teeth are now too. Hope these help you too!

310.398.5400
lechicdentist@gmail.com

Our New Favorite Whitening

When you live in Los Angeles, you quickly learn that whiter and brighter are a must when it comes to your smile. Because of that we have tried to find the best whitening for our patients. And though we have used "amazing" whitening products, our newest one is the best yet. Our patients love it, and so do we.

20 Minute Whitening

Here's why:

- Up to 10 shades whiter in 20 minutes

- No Sensitivity

- No annoying saliva running down your cheek

- No choking

- Less than $100 for a session

- Did we mention only 20 minutes?

Amazing product for an amazing price. You gotta come try it! 

310.398.5400
lechicdentist@gmail.com