What to do with your candy this Halloween?

Westfield Pediatric Dental Group, which is just down the street from Westfield Braces, is running a candy buy-back program this year after Halloween. We are recommending that our patients can keep some softer, chocolatey candies, such as Hershey chocolate, Reese's peanut butter cups, or Three Musketeers. The rest of your sticky, chewy candies, such as Starbursts or Skittles, or candies with nuts can be brought to Westfield Pediatric Dental Group. Depending on what size container you fill up with your candy, you can receive a prize. All of the collected candy is donated to the troops overseas.

We wish everyone a safe and Happy Halloween!

Cold season is here, from Westfield Braces

Cold and flu season is here - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 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, Dr. Thomas Burns and our entire staff give a great deal of attention to sanitation and sterilization in our Westfield 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 at Westfield Braces, 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!

October marks National Orthodontic Health Month!

For those who don't know, it’s National Orthodontic Health Month. Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists put together a helpful website that provides important information on protecting your braces, including tips for trick-or-treaters, braces-friendly recipes, facts about braces and treats you should avoid while undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Dr. Thomas Burns and our team also recommend you to ask us if you have any follow-up questions about keeping your braces in tip-top shape. Please feel free to give our Westfield office a call, ask us on Facebook or ask Dr. Burns during your visit this month!

A few helpful webisodes about orthodontics

Dr. Thomas Burns and his team at Westfield Braces would like to point you to a few interesting webisodes about orthodontics, located on the YouTube page of the American Association of Orthodontists, or AAO.

There, they tend to post some very pertinent videos about orthodontic treatment, as well as state-of-the-art technology in orthodontia. These include "Orthodontic Treatment Basics," "Common Bite Problems Seen in Children" and "Does My Child Need Braces?"

We think you may find these webisodes interesting, as well as enlightening. If you have any questions about the videos, or your treatment here at Westfield Braces, please give us a call.

What was your favorite part of Summer 2011?

The end of Summer and then subsequently the beginning of Fall are just around the corner. Soon the temperatures will cool down, the leaves will start to change, and we’re sure that you’ll be thinking about Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans.

But wait! First, we want to know: What were your favorite parts of the Summer of 2011? Did you go on a wonderful family trip? Did you pick up a new hobby? Did you try to spend as much time outside and in the sun as possible?

Share your favorite memories, stories, or photos with us by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page.

-Dr. Thomas Burns and team

When should you call Dr. Burns?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call Westfield orthodontist, Dr. Thomas Burns.

Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in with us:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give us a call as soon as possible!

Hope this helps,

-Dr. Burns and team

20 things that can ruin your smile

At Westfield Braces, we know your smile is important. And we know you want to keep it sparkling and looking its very best. Recently, we came across an article that suggests at least 20 things can ruin that perfect smile you have.

These include:

- Sports drinks
- Tobacco
- Coffee
- Wine
- Soft drinks
- Citrus and acidic foods

Dr. Thomas Burns and our team encourage you to read the rest of the article and ask us here on our blog or during your next visit to our convenient Westfield office. For more tips or for general questions about your ongoing dental treatment, we invite you to ask Dr. Burns during your next visit! We also invite you to ask us on Facebook!