Happy New Year from Dr. Allen and team

The 2010 holiday season is upon us. Dr. Allen and the team at Allen Orthodontics and our team would like to wish all our patients and their families the merriest of holidays and best wishes for the New Year.

We thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, from all of us at Allen Orthodontics!

What puts you at ease at Allen Orthodontics?

Dr. Allen and team understand not everyone enjoys visiting their orthodontist. But we strive to bring you the best and most comforting experience at each visit. We’d like to know: What is it about Allen Orthodontics that makes you comfortable or puts you at ease? Is it something about our pleasant office environment? Our friendly staff or Dr. Allen?

Let us know by posting here or by giving us a call!

Happy Holidays,

-Dr. Allen and team

Dr. Allen's top ten tips for keeping your braces sparklin' clean

Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Food bits have more spots than usual to hide in your mouth, so you must be diligent in order to avoid bad breath, swollen gums, discolored teeth and cavities. If you remove plaque regularly during treatment, you'll experience better results and shorter treatment time. Keep plaque at bay with these top ten tips:

1. One tooth at a time. When you brush, take time with each individual tooth – at least 10 seconds each – and pay careful attention to the spots where your teeth touch your braces.

2. It’s all about the angles. Brush the tops of your teeth and braces with your brush angled down toward where they meet. Brush the bottoms of your teeth and braces with your brush angled up.

3. The tooth, the whole tooth, nothing but the tooth. While the front surface of your teeth may seem like the most logical to clean, it’s equally important to clean the inner surface of your teeth (tongue side) as well as the chewing surface. And be sure to clean along your gum line – a key spot for plaque buildup.

4. Step 1: eat, step 2: clean. While you’re in treatment, it’s important to brush after every meal. Bits of food can easily get caught between braces and teeth, and these food bits interact with bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the greater opportunity for plaque to form. If you are eating somewhere that you can’t brush, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water.

5. Like a Boy Scout, always be prepared. The easiest way to be sure you can brush after every meal is to get in the habit of taking a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss with you wherever you go. Designate a special container just for your teeth-cleaning tools and keep it in your purse, backpack, or laptop case.

6. Remove the moving parts. If you have elastic bands or headgear, remove these parts before you brush or floss.

7. Fluoride is your friend. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with fluoride mouthwash.

8. Pointy brushes reach tiny places. Interproximal brushes (sometimes called proxa brushes or interdental brushes) are cone-shaped and come in very handy for reaching spots around your braces that standard brushes can’t.

9. Find the floss for you. Regular floss works for some patients, but others find it easier to work with a floss threader, which helps you get the floss into tight places. Other patients like an all-in-one product called Superfloss, which comes with a stiff end for easy threading, a spongy section for cleaning wide spaces, and regular floss for narrow spaces.

10. Make time for the pros. It’s your job to take care of the everyday cleaning. But make sure to visit your dentist regularly while in treatment, to get the deep, thorough cleaning that only a professional can provide. If you need help finding the right Dentist for you, feel free to contact our office - we’d love to help!

Hope this helps!

Dr. Allen and Team

With Allen Orthodontics, 24/7 access to your account

At Allen Orthodontics, we embrace new technology, whether it is through the innovative orthodontic treatments that we offer, our high-tech web site and social networks, or our modern offices conveniently located in Oceanside and Fallbrook.

Did you know that patients at our office have access to their account 24 hours a day, seven days a week—all through our website? You can look up your appointments and all of your account details at your convenience, from the comfort of your own home! And, because we know folks sometimes forget, you can even receive appointment reminders through email or text messages!

You can sign up for this convenient service on our website by clicking on the "Patient Login" button at the top of our homepage. Please give us a call if you have any questions about getting started!

Invisalign is your clear alternative to braces [Video]

Dr. Allen, your Oceanside and Fallbrook orthodontist, specializes in bringing you a visibly straight smile without the look and feel of traditional metal braces. The Invisalign system is a state-of-the-art system of clear, removable aligners that we proudly offer at our offices. For more information about Invisalign, watch this short patient video.

Dr. Allen is a Certified Invisalign Provider in Fallbrook and Oceanside, CA. Don't hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a consultation at our office.

Happy Thanksgiving, from Allen Orthodontics

Dr. Allen and team would like to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. It's a big food holiday, so be careful what you eat with those braces! We encourage patients to post any holiday photos, or stories that they would like to share on our Facebook page.

Gobble Gobble!

Braces can be fun, too!

Braces today are “cool” and—many would say—even “fun.” These were among the findings of a 2010 nationwide survey of moms whose children are going through or have had orthodontic treatment. New technologies such as SureSmile and Invisalign, advanced computer software, color options, and even popular celebrities—Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Danny Glover, Serena Williams—sporting stylish braces are making orthodontic treatment more comfortable, fashionable and cool for today’s teens.

The study, conducted on behalf of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists for February’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, found 86 percent of moms reporting that braces are cooler today than when they were children. Sixty-nine percent of moms also said wearing braces makes their children feel cool, and 81 percent reported their children’s experience with orthodontic treatment as either positive or extremely positive.

Different color options and the ability to change colors, for example, provide exciting ways for young patients to customize appearances. That enthusiasm helps them to feel good about their orthodontic treatment with Dr. Allen, and may contribute to the success of treatment.

Dr. Allen reminds patients to enter our drawing for Harry Potter movie tickets!

Dr. Allen, your Oceanside and Fallbrook orthodontist, would like to remind all of our patients that Nov. 10 is the last day to enter to win Harry Potter movie tickets. North County Orthodontics will be giving away 450 tickets to our Annual Movie Night. This year, we will be hosting a private screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on Nov. 19 at 5pm.

Don't delay in submitting your name for a chance to win Harry Potter movie tickets! You can either give us a call or stop by one of our offices to enter. We hope to see you there!

Ask Dr. Allen: What can Invisalign® do for my oral health?

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign with North County Orthodontics than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Allen the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page! You can also read this article for more information on Invisalign and your oral health.

A braces-friendly recipe, in celebration of National Orthodontic Health Month!

As October is National Orthodontic Health Month, Dr. Allen would like to share a great braces-friendly Halloween recipe with all of our patients, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontics, or AAO. This Spooktacular Pumpkin Cake is delicious, and provided that you remember to brush and floss after indulging, this treat will not cause damage to your beautiful smile.

Spooktacular Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients:

1 pkg. yellow or white cake mix
½ cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
¾ cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
¼ cup water (add 2 tbl. of water if eggs are small)

Directions:

Put cake mix in a large bowl. Make an indentation in the center and pour in the oil and one egg. Mix using mixer, then add the rest of the eggs one at a time, beating after each one.

Add pumpkin, sugar, spices, and then water.

Bake in greased and floured tube pan in 350 degree oven for 60-70 minutes (depending on oven calibration). Cool before removing from pan.

Why do you choose North County Orthodontics?

Oceanside and Fallbrook, CA orthodontist Dr. Allen works hard to create beautiful smiles and provide superior treatment in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Today, our team at North County Orthodontics would love to receive your feedback about our practice!

Whether you or your family has been visiting our office for days, weeks, or years, we’d love to hear about your experience. You can write a review for our Fallbrook office here or for our Oceanside office here. We look forward to hearing your story!

Thank you,

The team at North County Orthodontics

A Win-Win Situation! From North County Orthodontics

Oceanside and Fallbrook, CA orthodontist Dr. Allen knows that regular checkups are essential in maintaining good oral health. Are you visiting your general dentist every 3-to-6 months in addition to brushing your teeth and flossing during your orthodontic treatment? If yes, then North County Orthodontics wants to hear about it!

Each month, North County Orthodontics hosts a "Win-Win Contest," asking our patients to take a coupon with them when they visit a family dentist for regular hygiene appointments. When your dentist fills out the coupon, both you and your dentist will be entered into the contest for a great prize.

If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, let us know during your next visit and we will provide a few great references in the greater Oceanside and Fallbrook areas!

North County Orthodontics hosts a private screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Do you love getting caught up in the magical adventures of Harry, Hermione, Ron, and the Hogwarts gang? Dr. Allen and our team at North County Orthodontics will be hosting a private 3D screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at Krikorian Theaters on Nov. 19, 2010 at 5:30pm. To enter to win two tickets to Dr. Allen's Annual Movie Night, just give us a call or stop by one of our offices by Nov. 10, 2010.

We will be giving away 450 tickets to Dr. Allen's Annual Movie Night, so don't hesitate to enter to win!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month

Can you believe October is already upon us? October happens to be National Orthodontic Health Month, and this month-long event is organized by our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Many treats can cause havoc for trick-or-treaters who are going through orthodontic treatment, and these treats may cause damage that could prolong your treatment time. The AAO recommends patients avoid the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• Caramel
• Nuts
• Popcorn (including un-popped kernels)
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Licorice
• Bubblegum
• Taco chips
• Ice

If you happen to damage your braces, please give Dr. Allen and our staff a call immediately. Typically, small problems can be solved over the phone. Loose brackets or wires can usually be made more comfortable by applying some wax until the you can come into our office.

Kids getting braces at a younger age

Dr. Allen will tell you that braces were originally considered to be best appropriate for teens. But these days, kids as old as seven are beginning their orthodontic treatment. Because preadolescent kids are typically not self-conscious, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists suggest it could be a good idea to start early.

Experts, however, say it depends on the treatment required. Some children who get braces at an early age end up in a second phase of treatment, and end up having braces well into their teenage years despite starting young.


Most orthodontic treatment begins between ages nine and 14, and the folks at AAO estimate most orthodontic treatment lasts from one to three years, with two years being the average. It’s important, however, that children be screened no later than age seven for Dr. Allen to assess what the best age for treatment is.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions about your child’s treatment!

Back to school with North County Orthodontics

Here in Oceanside and Fallbrook, CA kids and parents are beginning to stock up on pencils, spiral notebooks, and binders because it’s back to school time! To kick off the fall season, our team at North County Orthodontics will be hosting a September contest. Guess how many "Dr. Michael Allen" pencils are in the jar and you could win a $100 gift card to Barnes & Noble!

Be sure to schedule your next appointment soon, so that you can submit your guess for a chance to win. We hope you have a very successful school year!

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.

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!