What's the deal with Halloween candies & treats?

For parents worried about their kids going overboard on candies, sugar and other sweets, Halloween is a dreaded annual event (no pun intended).

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as your braces! With Halloween just two days away, Dr. Vickie Greenberg and our team know all that candy is making its rounds around Altadena, Pasadena and surrounding neighborhoods. Instead of telling kids to avoid candy altogether, one orthodontist decided to show his patients the good kinds of candy to eat with braces and the kind to avoid. We encourage you to check this video out and we hope everyone has a fun, safe and scary Halloween!

Ask Dr. Greenberg: Why visit the dentist during my orthodontic treatment?

Dr. Vickie Greenberg wants to know: Are you brushing your teeth twice a day during your orthodontic treatment? If the answer happens to be yes, that’s what we want to hear! But, don’t forget that it’s also important for you to visit your general dentist every six months, in addition to brushing your teeth a couple times a day (and, of, course, seeing Dr. Greenberg during your treatment). Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health while you're in braces!

A dentist can check for problems that might not be seen or felt, detect cavities and early signs of decay, treat oral health problems early and show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth.

During an oral exam your doctor can check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing.

If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call, ask Dr. Greenberg during your next visit or ask us on Facebook! We'd be happy to recommend a dentist in Pasadena, Altadena and the greater San Gabriel Valley!

Ask Dr. Greenberg: Am I too old for braces?

Absolutely not. At the orthodontic office of Dr. Vickie Greenberg, no one is "too old" for braces. Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and adults especially appreciate the benefits of a beautiful smile. In fact, one out of every five patients in orthodontic treatment is over 21 and - not only that - but our staff recently read a statistic that the number of adults getting orthodontic treatment has actually climbed 24 percent since 1996!

Yes, braces help make your pearly whites strong, healthy and perfectly-aligned, but perhaps another reason for the spike in adult braces is this: people want to look and feel great. In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when evenly-aligned teeth might be the difference between getting a job or a promotion, adults are choosing—wisely, we might add—to invest in orthodontics.

If you’ve been thinking about getting that perfect smile, Dr. Greenberg would love to have you visit for a consultation at our convenient Altadena office. Please give us a call at (626) 768-7766 to set one up!

October is National Orthodontic Health Month!

For those of our patients who don't know, October is National Orthodontic Health Month. This month-long event is organized by our pals at the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

Dr. Vickie Greenberg and our staff realize this is a great opportunity for us and to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene. National Orthodontic Health Month also aims to recognize the dedicated work of orthodontists like Dr. Greenberg and other dental professional in Pasadena.

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 have any questions, please feel free to give us a call, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Greenberg during your visit this month!

Featured patient reviews for Dr. Greenberg!

Wow, more fantastic reviews have come in during the past month! Check out what our patients in Pasadena, Altadena and greater San Gabriel Valley!

"I Am Very Pleased To Say That My Smile Has Improved 1000000 Times Better:) The Staff, & Dr. Greenberg Have Helped Improve My Smile, They Are ALL Very Nice & Friendly. I Couldn't Have Asked For A Better 0rtho. I Strongly Recommend This 0ffice To Anyone:) I Couldn't Be Happierrr!" ~ Diane

"Went to Doctor Greenberg with braces already on my teeth from a previous Orthodontist. Dr. Greenberg, along with her staff, improved my teeth and gave me a great smile! I am very satisfied and extremely pleased with the outcome! I could not have asked for anything better!‎" ~ Ashley

"I was so pleased with the meticulousness of the entire staff here. They really make sure to do a great job, and it shows in the results. Also, the office has a nice, pleasant ambiance that just makes the entire experience a good one.‎" ~ Anonymous

September is National Childhood Injury Prevention Month!

With fall sports beginning for a lot of our patients at Vickie Greenberg Orthodontics, we thought we'd remind our young athletes wearing braces to take care of both their mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this fall.

Dr. Greenberg will tell you that you should ALWAYS wear a mouth guard when playing sports, but especially this month. Why? September is National Childhood Injury Prevention Month.

More than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24. Sixty-seven percent of parents say their child does not wear a mouth guard, yet, 70 percent say their biggest fear when their child plays is that they will get hurt. Despite the risks, many kids are still not wearing mouth guards and facial protection during games and practices.

Our staff strongly encourage you to head over to the American Association of Orthodontists' website for a quick primer on the importance of mouth guards and facial protection.

We hope this helps you remember to always wear a mouth guard and other forms of protective gear when participating in fall sports around Pasadena! We encourage you to give us a call if you have any questions! Have a great weekend!

Invisalign Teen's "Make Me Smile" Challenge!

Dr. Vickie Greenberg wants to know: Think you can make someone smile in 30 seconds or less? Then check out Invisalign Teen's "Make Me Smile" Challenge! Here's how it works:

Each month, a new challenge will be issued on the Make Me Smile Challenge website. It's up to you to record a video response to the challenge, and upload it on the site. Videos can only be 30 seconds long, but you can enter as many times as you like!

There are three total challenges, and the first has already begun! At the end of each round, a judge will chose a winner to receive an Apple iPad! A grand prize will be awarded at the end of the three challenges to send you and a friend to Hollywood!

Our staff has included the contest dates below, but be sure to check out Invisalign Teen's web site for more information, and GOOD LUCK!

Challenge 1: August 17 – September 13, 2010
Challenge 2: September 14 – October 1, 2010
Challenge 3: October 12 – November 9, 2010