Celebrities get braces, too!

Did you know that back in 2002, Tom Cruise had braces? During this time, he was 40 years old and filmed Minority Report, Austin Powers in Goldmember and the Last Samurai. Check out his smile in Jerry Maguire, Rain Man or The Firm and compare to the post-braces Tom Cruise in Valkyrie or Tropic Thunder. The fact is, movie stars must look their best for the silver screen, and it wouldn't be possible without orthodontists like Dr. Allen.

In fact, many Hollywood stars have had orthodontic treatment. Check out this slideshow of famous faces with braces. If you’ve thought about getting the perfect smile you’ve always wanted, please give North County Orthodontics a call!

Tackling kids' sport safety with North County Orthodontics

Let’s face it: sports-related injuries are common among children, let alone teens with braces. In a recent survey, the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO, discovered that 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports. But 67 percent admitted that their child doesn’t wear a mouth guard when participating in organized sports such as football, basketball, baseball and soccer. That’s why North County Orthodontics is helping spread the word that many facial sports injuries can be prevented simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Dr. Allen will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment. In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe while on the field. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Allen is trying to achieve.

Give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at North County Orthodontics.

Show Dr. Allen your sea shell knowledge and win SeaWorld tickets!

This summer, our team at North County Orthodontics is hosting a special summer contest, with seashells! Guess how many seashells are in the jar at our office for your chance to win tickets to SeaWorld.

How do I enter?
Next time you're in for an appointment, make your guess at how many seashells are in the jar. You will need to include your contact information with your entry. This contest will only be running through Labor Day, so don't hesitate to come visit our office and participate in the fun!

Good luck,

North County Orthodontics

Thanks to Invisalign® with Dr. Allen, mom and dad can have a perfect smile, too!

Hey parents! Are you focusing on your kids' oral health so much that you're neglecting your own? If you're considering orthodontic treatment, our team at North County Orthodontics is pleased to offer an adult-friendly option for straightening teeth called Invisalign.

This course of treatment consists of a set of clear aligners that are molded to fit your teeth using a proprietary technology. You wear them all day and night, except for meals, brushing, and flossing – when you can easily slip them out to make eating and cleaning a snap!

Because they're clear, your teeth will be steadily straightening – and no one will know it but you!

Please give us a call to set up a consultation, so we can discuss the specifics of your treatment.

Distinguishing the myths and facts about orthodontics, from North County Orthodontics

Trust us when we say Dr. W. Michael Allen and our staff know there are quite a few myths about orthodontics floating around these days. But before you buy into those myths, we think you should get the facts! Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists set the record straight (no pun intended) and have provided some information that sheds some light on the myths and facts of orthodontics. We encourage you to check them out today!

If you have any questions about orthodontics or your treatment here at North County Orthodontics, feel free to give us a call.

Hey, Dr. Allen! Why are retainers so important?

If you recently completed treatment at North County Orthodontics, we’d like to congratulate you! Now that your braces have been removed, Dr. Allen will provide—or has provided you—with retainers.

How will retainers benefit my smile?
After braces are removed, teeth can shift out of position if they are not stabilized. Retainers, however, always provide that stabilization. They are designed to hold teeth in their corrected, ideal positions until the bones and gums adapt to the treatment changes. Wearing retainers exactly as instructed by Dr. Allen is the best insurance that the treatment improvements last for a lifetime.

To learn more about the advantages of wearing retainers after your orthodontic treatment with Dr. Allen, please read this helpful article about retainers from KidsHealth or give us a call!