Carlsbad

For those who enjoy the excitement and events of Halloween but not the sugar-intake that follows, Carlsbad orthodontist Dr. Michael G. Willes is sponsoring his 16th annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back and School Fundraiser on Monday, November 3, 2014 between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at 740 Oak Avenue in Carlsbad Village.

Dr. Willes will pay kids $2 a pound (up to 5 pounds) to take those hard, sticky, sugary treats off of their hands and away from their teeth. Willes Orthodontics will also donate an additional $2 per pound to participating schools.

To make the trade-in even more appealing, children who choose to cash in their candy will be rewarded with a goody bag containing a fun toothbrush, dental health puzzles, stickers, magnet, etc.

As for all the candy that is bought back, Dr. Willes donates it to Brother Benno’s kitchen in Oceanside where it is distributed a few pieces at a time with the meals served there. After all, a small treat for many people is definitely healthier than one kid eating four pounds in three days. Of course, toothbrushes will also accompany the candy donation—so everybody wins.

This fun, healthy event is open to children throughout the community. For more information or directions, please call 434-5031.

Isabella and Olivia Town happily swap their candy for cash at Willes Orthodontics' Halloween Candy Buy-Back last year.

Fall is here, and so is all the fun that comes with it! Check out what we've got at the office to celebrate!

Candy Guessing Game

It’s time! Our annual Guess-How-Much-Candy-is-in-the-Jar game! The person that can guess how much candy is in the jar wins not only the jar of candy, but the giant spider hanging above it in the office! (Not to mention a goody bag full of fun orthodontic prizes, and of course, a toothbrush to use once you’re done with all that candy). Guesses have been pouring in all month, but you still have until 4pm on Halloween (Wednesday) to submit your guess! Whether you have an appointment or not, stop by, say hello, and try your chances at winning!

Candy Buy Back

Also, if you’ve been around the office in past years, you know that our ANNUAL HALLOWEEN CANDY BUY BACK is just around the corner! This is our 14th year and we will be holding it on November 2, from 4pm-6pm in the office.

For those of you that may not know what our Halloween Candy Buy Back is, here’s how it works…. Kids bring in their Halloween haul of all that sticky, gooey, chewy, crunchy candy and get paid for it! For every pound of candy that the kids bring in, we pay them $1 (up to 5 pounds). And they walk away with a goody bag with stickers, pencils, coloring pages and, of course, a toothbrush!

But not only is this a sweet deal for the kids, but for every $1 we give the kids, we’ll match that $1 and give it to the participating school of their choice. As members of the Carlsbad community, we love this chance to give back to schools and give back to the kids (not to mention, our chance to get all that sugar away from their teeth)!

So what do we do with all those pounds of candy we buy back? We donate to Brother Benno’s kitchen in Oceanside. So instead of one kid consuming all of that teeth-threatening candy, one or two pieces are distributed with each meal and all that sugar is spread out.

This fun, healthy event is open to children throughout the community, so invite your friends!

We hope you are having a Spooktacular October and hope you'll come haunt our office soon! Happy Halloween!

Q. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Phil Collins, LeBron James, Eva Mendes, Britney Spears, and Casey Affleck. What have these famous people had in common?

A. Nail biting.

Nail biting is one of the most common ‘nervous habits.’ It can be triggered by stress, excitement, boredom or inactivity. It can also be a learned behavior from family members. About half of all children between the ages of 10 and 18 have been nail biters at one time or another. Most people stop biting their nails by age 30. Here’s why nail biting is unhealthy:

• It’s unsanitary. Fingernails are home to bacteria and germs. Nails are almost twice as dirty as fingers. And swallowing dirty nails can lead to stomach problems.
• It wears teeth down, putting added stress on your front teeth that can lead to malocclusion.
• Braces hate nail biting. During orthodontic treatment, nail biting puts additional pressure on teeth and weakens roots.
• It can be costly. Nail biting can result in up to $4,000 in additional dental bills over a lifetime.

Here’s how you can break the nail biting habit:

• Try to be conscious of your fingernails. Keep them looking good.
• Apply clear, bitter-tasting nail polish to the nails.
• Mouth guards can help prevent nail biting.
• Think about when and why you chew your nails. Understanding the triggers can help you find a solution and stop the habit.
• Some nail biters have found behavioral therapy an effective means to stop nail biting.

Bad breath can be a real downer, especially when you are out on a date with that girl or boy you’ve had a crush on all semester - or while in that important business meeting, for which you've been preparing all week. However, bad breath can be prevented!

Bad breath, or as your doctor may call it “halitosis,” is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grows in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food in your mouth and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds making your breath smell. Some foods, like garlic and onions, may contribute more to bad breath because of oils the food the food releases, and smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.

There are several myths around bad breath. Here are some common myths and the truth behind it all:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make my breath smell better

Mouthwash will make your breath smell better, but it is only a temporary fix. If you use mouthwash, just know that you will still need to brush and floss when you get the chance as mouthwash alone will not kill all of the bacteria producing germs in your mouth. When choosing a mouthwash, pick an antiseptic with plaque-reducing compounds. Also make sure any dental products you choose comes with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval!

Myth #2: I brush my teeth; I will never have bad breath

Brushing your teeth will save you from having breath, but the truth is most people only brush their teeth for about 30-45 seconds! You need to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day to give your teeth a thorough cleansing. It’s also important to brush your tongue, which is where a majority of odor causing bacteria like to hang out. Lastly, flossing to remove food and plaque between the teeth will also help reduce your chances of having bad breath!

Myth #3: If I don’t smell it, then my breath is fresh

This is a false assumption in every sense of the word! The truth is that the breath you breathe out is not the same breath coming out when you talk to someone. When you breathe you are not using your throat as you do when you are talking; and when you talk more breath moves over the back of your mouth where bacteria is causing bad breath.

#1 TRUTH: Brush your teeth twice a day (for at least 2 minutes), floss at least once and visit your dentist every six months…this way your breath will always be fresh! Not letting your nerves get the best of you on your date, or your meeting? That’s up to you!!!

For most children, summer break is over, and the school year is in full swing! After they're done with their homework, you may be running out of ideas to keep them occupied. Why not use a fun and simple science experiment to focus their attention for a while? This one includes a lesson about why it’s important to brush teeth to make plaque go away.

Gather the items you will need for this experiment:

* 1 hard-boiled egg with the shell on
* 12 ounces of Coke, Pepsi or other dark-colored cola
* 1 container large enough to hold the cola and egg
* 1 plastic bowl
* 1 toothbrush
* 1 drop of fluoride toothpaste
* Clean-up supplies

Explain to your child that plaque is a sticky layer of germs that collects on her teeth. If she doesn’t brush, plaque can cause serious problems for her teeth, for example holes in the teeth (cavities) or swollen gums (gingivitis). Tell her that you are going to do an experiment to see how plaque coats her teeth, and why brushing twice a day is important for healthy teeth and gums.

Conduct the experiment:

1. Make the comparison between the white color of the egg and the white color of your child's teeth.

2. Place the egg into the container and pour the cola over it, so that it completely covers the egg.

3. Let the egg sit in the cola for 24 hours.

4. Remove the egg from the cola. The egg will be stained and yellowish.

5. Explain to your child that the colored layer that has appeared on top of the eggshell is just like the layer of plaque that occurs on her teeth.

6. Place the egg in the plastic bowl and give your child the toothbrush with the drop of toothpaste on it.

7. Let her brush the "plaque" off of the egg. The yellowish film will disappear, exposing the white eggshell. Explain that the same thing happens when she brushes her teeth.

Cold and flu season is here yet again. The folks at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that a common cold usually includes sneezing, runny nose, sore throat and coughing. Symptoms can last for up to two weeks.

To promote a healthy and clean environment, our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our office at all times, as well as following all requirements for sterilizing instruments and work surfaces. For the protection of other patients and our staff, we always ask that patients reschedule their appointments if they have any type of cold or illness that can infect others.

And remember to constantly wash your hands and avoid contact with those who are ill! Stay Healthy!