5 Candy Alternatives That Will Keep Trick-or-Treaters Smiling

Treat Trick-or-Treaters to a Healthy Treat This Season

The fall season brings an amazing amount of fun activities for you and your family. From the excitement of Halloween, to school fall festivals, kids and parents alike look forward to the cool weather and family memories. Unfortunately, Halloween and fall festivals can also do a number on your child’s teeth. Hard candies, sweet treats and sugary snacks can be cavities waiting to happen. Handing out Halloween candy doesn’t mean you have to hand out oral health disasters. There are a number of healthy alternatives to the candy bars and licorice- some that trick-or-treaters might even enjoy more than the sugar rush. The days of handing out apple slices and pennies to avoid contributing to tooth destruction are gone! Take a look at some of these creative trick-or-treat alternatives that will leave all the little ghosts and ghouls smiling throughout the year.

Applesauce Pouches                                                                                     

Applesauce is still a sweet treat, and not nearly as hard on the teeth. Not only that, they’re portable, affordable and a great way to avoid the mess of some other treats. You can get a pack of 48 pouches for about 35 dollars on Amazon, which is enough to give all the trick-or-treaters something healthy to smile about.

Mini LaraBars

Larabars are gluten free, vegan, kosher and only have about 8-11 grams of sugar per bar. They also come in mini form, making them perfect to hand out on Halloween. The great thing about these treats is that the kids won’t even know they’re healthy! LaraBars have flavors such as cherry pie, apple pie and cashew cookie and are just as delicious as the other mini candy bars that will be weighing down their bag. If you can’t find LaraBars, or they’re a little too pricey for you, granola bars of any kind will be a better choice than chocolate.

Vegan Rice Crispy Treats

Rice crispy treats are a delicious sweet treat for trick-or-treaters, but you don’t have to use all the sugary marshmallow to make them amazing. There are a number of recipes you can follow which swap out a few classic ingredients for something a little healthier in order to create the perfect Halloween snack. By using brown rice syrup instead of marshmallow, brown rice crisps instead of white rice and coconut oil instead of butter- you can make delicious, healthy treats that many claim are better than the original. Check out one the recipes here. 

Sugar Free Gum

While sugar free gum may not be the most exciting item in your child’s bag, it’s still a quality alternative to all the junk they’ll be getting. You can get tasty sugar free gum such as Dubble Bubble and throw a few pieces in along with other healthy treats. Parents will appreciate the lack of sugar, and the kids (especially those kids who love their chewing gum) will be happy with a full bag of “candy.”

Toys

If you want to skip the food items altogether, many parents have opted to hand out toys instead. There are a number of items you can get in bulk for cheap such as pencils, erasers, stickers, mini water guns, temporary tattoos, mini play dough, sidewalk chalk, bouncing balls, bubbles and more. The possibilities are endless and none of these things will land your child in the dentist’s chair. If you’re thinking of skipping the candy and handing out toys, head to your local dollar store to find amazing deals on bulk items.

There’s also the option of handing out pre-made veggie and fruit snacks, however this may only be a good idea if you’re close with the surrounding neighbors. Parents are often a little leery of pre-prepared snacks and the time and money you spent might simply end up in the trash. These days there really are dozens of candy alternatives that don’t skimp on the flavor. Do your own research to find what works best for you and your family, have fun with it, and get everyone involved. Keep in mind that most trick-or-treaters will be over-flowing with the sugary stuff- so its good practice as a parent and oral health advocate to provide something that will keep their smiles healthy throughout the year.

Dr. Steven Goldy & Associates

416 N. Bedford Drive Ste 409
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Phone: 310-550-1511

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

I have always been a Rock and Roll Fan and grew up collecting albums and seeing many of my favorite groups in concert.  Classic and Acoustic Rock and Roll has been ingrained in my psyche since before I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan in 1964.

Many of my patients will attest to the fact that I play this music day in and day out in my office. (Most like it, some do not but what are you gonna do?)  Back in early 2006, I wondered into a restaurant in Brentwood and was captivated by and exhibit by Rock and Roll photographer: Richard Aaron (www.rockpix.com)  I was instantly drawn to his photographs and they visually represented many of my favorite artists.  A light bulb went off in my head and I contacted Richard.  He helped me pick out some of his best photographs of my favorite Rockers, I framed them and carefully placed them in the long corridor of my dental office.  Hence my Rock and Roll "Hall of Fame" was born (of course, it didn't hurt that Richard needed some dental work)!

Many of my patients comment and guess who the rockers are.  An interesting side note is that 3 of the inductees into the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of fame are members of my personal "Hall of Fame!"  (Can you name them?)

Please enjoy these photos and feel free to stop by and check them out in person any time you like!

...

Steven Goldy, DDS

Creating Confident Smiles

416 N. Bedford drive, suite 409

Beverly Hills, CA  90210

310-550-1511

www.stevengoldydds.com  

'Smart' toothbrush grades your brushing habits

I cannot really endorse this toothbrush because I have not seen, tested it myself.  However, there is a toothbrush made by oral B, their top of the line "Precision 5000" that I do endorse, and use it personally. The cool thing about it, and the similarities to the toothbrush w/ a smartphone app, is that there is a nice timer/clock, that syncs via bluetooth to the brush.  As soon as you switch on the toothbrush, the timer starts, and if you turn off the toothbrush (to spit/whatever) the timer stops momentarily, unless you leave it off for a good 30 seconds.

Besides this nifty timer, the toothbrush and timer also warn you when you are using too much pressure/brushing too hard.  Because I think this is one of the best brushes on the market, we sell it at my office for a good 20% less than retail stores.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/tech/innovation/smart-toothbrush-kolibree/index.html

Steven Goldy, DDS

Creating Confident Smiles

416 N. Bedford drive, suite 409

Beverly Hills, CA  90210

310-550-1511

www.stevengoldydds.com  

The Long Term Value of a Great Smile

Virtually all Americans (99.7%) believe a smile is an important social asset.  Consumer studies have proved that a beautiful smile will make you more attractive, but according to recent research conducted for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry a new smile will also make you appear more intelligent, interesting, successful and wealthy.

A smile makeover can increase your self-confidence when meeting new people, giving presentations and conducting meetings.  It allows you to translate emotions and ideas more easily to colleagues, clients and friends.  

Common Responses

74% of adults feel an unattractive smile can hurt an individual's chance for success and that people have very specific preferences about the way a smile should appear.  When asked "what is the first thing you notice in a person's smile?" the most common responses were:

• Straightness 
• Whiteness and color of teeth 
• Cleanliness 
• Sincerity of smile 
• Missing teeth 
• Sparkle of smile 

When asked "what types of things do you consider make a smile unattractive?" the most common responses were:

• Discolored, yellow or stained teeth 
• Missing teeth 
• Crooked teeth 
• Cavities and decay 
• Gaps and spaces 

And finally when respondents were asked "what would you most like to improve about your smile," the most common response was "whiter and brighter teeth."

Cosmetic Dentistry

Another study found that nearly two thirds feel that people with warm and open smiles are more approachable.  A third of the people surveyed are concerned about their teeth and they have a strong interest in cosmetic dentistry.  But many are held back by impressions of affordability,  

The value of success in your career and your relationships is hard to quantify.  Ask people who have completed cosmetic dental treatment (from whitening to 20 veneers and/or porcelain crowns) and they will tell you it was money very well spent!  Cosmetic dentistry can easily fix any of these smile deficiencies and give you a smile that makes you appear more attractive, successful and intelligent.  Talk to your cosmetic dentist – you’ll find that almost every practice has affordable ways you can finance your new smile and enjoy the benefits and the value for the rest of your life.

Steven Goldy, DDS

Creating Confident Smiles

416 N. Bedford drive, suite 409

Beverly Hills, CA  90210

310-550-1511

www.stevengoldydds.com  

The Beauty of Bonding

Many of the techniques used to repair and improve your smile require artistic ability on the part of the cosmetic dentist, since the work is done freehand. Composite tooth bonding is one such technique.  It can work wonders for your smile if it is done right.

Cosmetic Bonding

Dental bonding can repair cracked, chipped, and discolored teeth.  The same material can also be used to replace silver amalgam fillings. Cosmetic bonding can repair misaligned teeth, providing a straighter and more confident smile.

Tooth Bonding Procedure Cost, Care, and Advantages

Tooth bonding is quick, affordable, relatively painless, and long lasting. Bonding involves the layering-on of a strong composite resin which is precisely color-matched to your teeth. After each layer is applied, it's hardened with a special, high-intensity light. When enough resin layers are applied, hardened and bonded, the tooth is sculpted and polished to a comfortable, natural-looking result.

Although porcelain veneers are most often considered the state of the art for cosmetic dentistry, bonding with composite resin can often times satisfy a cosmetic need for a fraction of the cost.

Dental bonding can be considered:

·         to repair decayed teeth (composite resins are used to fill cavities)

·         to repair chipped or cracked teeth

·         to improve the appearance of discolored teeth

·         to close spaces between teeth

·         to make teeth look longer

·         to change the shape of teeth

·         as a cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings

·         to protect a portion of the tooth's root that has been exposed when gums recede

Anesthesia is often not necessary unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth. If you are using bonding for cosmetic repair the surface of the tooth will be roughened and a conditioning liquid applied. Then the tooth-colored, puttylike resin is applied, molded and smoothed to the desired shape. A visible  light or laser is used to harden the material and that’s when the artistry kicks in – your dentist has to shape  and sculpt your new tooth by hand.

It takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete and can range between $250 to $500.

Author Bio:
Dr. Steven Goldy, DDS is a cosmetic dentist practicing in Beverly Hills. His approach to cosmetic dentistry is founded in his belief that everyone deserves to have the best possible oral health and a confident smile. You reach Dr. Goldy at 310 550 1511. His office is located at 416 N. Bedford Center in Beverly Hills, California. Learn more at http://www.stevengoldydds.com 

Steven Goldy, DDS

Creating Confident Smiles

416 N. Bedford drive, suite 409

Beverly Hills, CA  90210

310-550-1511

www.stevengoldydds.com  

Poker & Dentistry

Sitting in the Dentist Chair...

by George "The Engineer" Epstein

I was at my dentist's office for extensive dental work. I was sitting in the dentist chair while Dr. Goldy (an excellent dentist, I should add) had his hand in my mouth operating a drill. I felt the need to communicate with him. But, that was barely possible with the drill grinding away while my mouth was immobilized. I made strange guttural sounds, only he could interpret. (That must take lots of dental training and experience.) Then, sitting in that chair, a thought came to mind: "This remind me of using tells at the poker table." So, I decided to share this with you. Thanks to Dr. Goldy and his dentist chair for this column...

As most of you know, a "tell" at the poker table is anything you might do that gives your opponent information about your hand - a body movement ("body language"), a facial expression, eye movement, words you might say, even the tone of your voice. FYI, here's a preview of a section of my new poker-book-in-preparation, The Art of Bluffing (due to be published early 2014).

Tells When Bluffing

When you suspect an opponent is bluffing, it pays to look for tells. It can be very rewarding when your small pair takes the pot away from the brazen bluffer. Here are typical tells to look for if you suspect your opponent is trying to bluff you out of the pot. Give serious thought to calling his bet when you spot any of these tells:

• Covering his mouth with his hand;
• Leaning back in his chair,
• Touching, stroking or rubbing his neck;
• An apparent departure in his normal behavior, such as speaking more or less often;
• "Freezing" in his seat, becoming relatively immobile;
• Taking a deep breath and holding it;
• Taking a big swallow (gulp!);
• Licking his lips.

If you look hard enough, you may spot some of these. But must deliberately look for them. It's not likely to happen by accident. Study your opponent carefully.

Of course, the complementary also applies: If you are the one who is doing the bluffing, be sure you steer clear of these tells. (Don't give an opponent an excuse for calling you while you are trying to bluff him out. )

Tells Before the Flop

Note: There are books by experts like Mike Caro and Joe Navarro that provide profound information about many poker tells.

In my opinion, among the most valuable are tells before the flop. I teach my Claude Pepper Seniors Poker Group to focus on the opponents seated to their left as they first peek at their holecards. (Look at your own holecards a bit later.) Those are the players who will be betting after you; so the information can be extremely valuable in helping you decide whether to call, fold or raise. For example, a tight player to your left peeks at his holecards as the dealer delivers you that he has a very strong starting hand! Next, you examine your own holecards. You have 9-8 offsuit, a marginal drawing hand that you might have otherwise played had you not seen his tell. So, you fold and save yourself a bunch of chips!

I am sure you can identify still other tells...

Thanks to Dr. Goldy

Perhaps this column has served to help you to be more aware of tells, to try harder to observe-and interpret-them. If so, you can thank my dentist, Dr. Goldy. My guess is that he is much too busy to join us in a game of poker - even with his expertise in interpreting my tells while seated in his dentist chair...

Steven Goldy, DDS

Creating Confident Smiles

416 N. Bedford drive, suite 409

Beverly Hills, CA  90210

310-550-1511

www.stevengoldydds.com  

A Healthy Framework For A Beautiful Smile Making Smart Choices in Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry 

A beautiful smile is an essential part of looking good these days. Wanting to look your best is one thing, but feeling secure in the knowledge that you have a perfectly healthy mouth as well is even more important. Beyond improving your appearance, cosmetic dentistry has the unique advantage of being able to improve your overall health.

Dental Health 

According to the Surgeon General, our dental health contributes to serious health problems including heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and low birth weight in babies. Many people have historical dental work that is compromising their oral health. Others have worn their teeth to the point that their bite is causing symptom of "TMJ," such as headaches, muscle pain, and even dizziness.

Top cosmetic dentists address these problems first. Before you add porcelain crowns or veneers, a full evaluation of your oral health must be done. If the cosmetic dentist does not do a full examination and evaluation of your dental health before you start to talk about the cosmetic work, get out of there fast! Without this step, you could find yourself with serious health problems down the line. Not to mention an investment in a smile with little to support it over time.

Cosmetic dentistry should never be about an aesthetic "quick fix." It's about being the best you can be and when you leave old health issues unhandled and simply cover them up with porcelain veneers or other cosmetic dentistry methods, you’re headed for trouble.

What are the oral health issues that have to be taken into account and handled before starting cosmetic dentistry?

To Be Filled in With Dr. Goldy:

Healthy gums

Decayed teeth

Missing teeth

Old dental work/ Destructive broken down filling

Impression taken, if needed

Photographs taken for imaging

Evaluation and Diagnosis

A complete evaluation and diagnosis should be done and a full treatment plan devised that addresses both your oral health and aesthetic concerns.

Cosmetic and restorative dentistry has to be done in phases:

If you are young and healthy with no decay, and you have been taking good care of your teeth with regular cleanings, you can probably go straight to cosmetic dentistry.

The more extensive your dental history, and the more time has elapsed since you last saw a dentist, the more likely it is that you will need to address basic health issues first.

If you have started thinking about having cosmetic dentistry done, you're already on the path of wanting to look your best. Don't sell yourself short. Make this a choice to take the very best possible care of your physical appearance and your long term health. Find a cosmetic dentist in your area who will do all the work necessary to create a healthy framework for your beautiful smile. 

Steven Goldy, DDS

Creating Confident Smiles

416 N. Bedford drive, suite 409

Beverly Hills, CA  90210

310-550-1511

www.stevengoldydds.com