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It is important to wear a mouthguard if you have braces while playing sports. Mouthguards can protect the lips, gums and cheeks from getting cut or injured by the braces, wires & brackets.

Wearing braces increases the risk of getting injured during sports due to brackets & wires which can cause trauma to the inside of the mouth. If hit by a flying object or an opponent mouthguards help to cushion the blow & minimize the impact of the collision.

In addition to protecting the mouth, wearing a mouthguard can also prevent damage to the braces themselves. A hit or blow to the mouth can damage or dislocate the brackets or wires, this will increase the time & cost of the orthodontic treatment.

Mouthguards are available in various types & sizes. Patients with braces may need a specialized mouthguard. These guards fit over the orthodontic appliances. A dentist or an orthodontist can provide a customized mouthguard to fit over braces & provide full protection. If buying a mouthguard from the store, the directions will indicate to boil & mold to the teeth. DO NOT BOIL & MOLD THE MOUTHGUARD IF WEARING BRACES!! If one boils & bites into the mouthguard, it will stick to the braces & will pull wires and brackets off.

If you have Invisalign, the trays can be worn while playing sports. The Invisalign trays work as a mouthguard to protect the teeth if hit in the mouth. If one is playing a sport and needs an actual mouthguard, while in treatment with Invisalign, this CAN be boiled & molded to the teeth. Although, keep in mind during treatment the teeth are constantly changing and the guard may not fit after a bit.

Overall, wearing a mouthguard when necessary can help to prevent potential trauma to your dentition and your orthodontic appliances. If you need a mouthguard, just ask one of our assistants & they will gladly provide one!

When a patient gets braces bonded to their teeth this is not the last time to see the orthodontist. This is the same for orthodontic appliances & Invisalign. When a patient starts any type of orthodontic treatment they will be required to schedule and keep appointments usually between every 4-8 weeks, or whatever the orthodontist recommends.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SHOW UP WHEN TOLD?

It is important to show up to appointments because it keeps the patient on track to finish their treatment within the estimated treatment length given. If a patient doesn't show to appointments it will also be hard to achieve the perfect result. The orthodontist plans the treatment to progress in a way to achieve a perfect smile. This means there will be specific wires used, braces placement & elastics. If a patient doesn't show for a while the wires & elastics start to lose their activity which will just put the patient's teeth at a halt and stall progress. Not showing up for appointments can also lead to brackets braking, wires poking or coming out & running out of take longer & could even cause much pain.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ORAL HYGIENE IF ONE DOES NOT SHOW UP?

If a patient doesn't make it to scheduled appointments this means wires are not being removed to allow normal brushing & flossing. When there are wires in it can be very tedious & hard to reach all areas while cleaning. If a patient doesn't show for appointments and plaque is not removed from around the wires, the teeth will end up with decay, cavities & gum issues.

Having bad oral hygiene during treatment can also cause the teeth to move slower. This would be another setback during orthodontic treatment. If the gums start to become puffy or are bleeding when touched, this is a sign there is bacteria. So, it is very important to make it to scheduled orthodontic appointments!!

Many people say their teeth look yellow and this prevents them from smiling because they are self-conscious. There are many tips to reduce your teeth from looking yellow.

AGE

One's age can be a part of teeth looking yellow because after years tooth enamel can start to wear. The final layer of the tooth is called dentin, it is naturally a yellow tint. If you see this in someone who is a young age it could be due to poor oral hygiene and has been developing for some time. 

STAINING

One's teeth can become stained from food, seasoning, wine, coffee, pigmented drinks or tomato sauces, curry and more. These can leave teeth stained if not brushed and rinsed well after eating or drinking.

HOW TO FIX IT?

Many will turn to whitening to make their teeth not appear yellow any longer. Excessive whitening of the teeth can cause the enamel to wear down over time and may even cause sensitivity.  Whitening toothpaste work well but will not whiten overnight. Since the staining can happen from eating and drinking it is best to make sure one brushes and rinses after. It is also good to stay away from sipping on sugary drinks all day long. 

As long as one keeps up with their oral hygiene and sees the dentist every 6 months it will be ok. Teeth have a natural yellow tint and whitening does not happen overnight.

With Easter approaching many will be receiving Easter baskets filled with yummy treats! Just remember to stay away from the sticky & hard candy so you don't break appliances and braces. Here are some brace-friendly treats you may still have.

1.Chocolate

Some chocolates are off limits such as Twix, Snickers, caramel filled chocolate or anything stuffed with hard nuts. Some good options would be regular M&Ms, Hershey bars or kisses, Reese's & peppermint patties.

2. Baked goods

Cupcakes, cookies, brownies & more are an acceptable option for Easter treats! Baked goods are always a great addition to the sweets table at Easter! Baking is also a fun activity to do as a family the day before easter if you like to bake!

3.Other goodies

You can always enjoy a small toy, video game, clothes, summer essentials & gift cards! There are no candy options from the Easter bunny!

Here are the goodies to stay away from:

1.Jelly beans

Jelly beans may be delicious but are extremely sticky & can easily break off brackets or get stuck in wires!

2. Peeps

Peeps are known for being the staple of the Easter season, but stay away! They are sugar- coated marshmallows. Marshmallows can cause your brackets to fall off, get stuck in wires & pull out bands and appliances!

3.Mini eggs

Mini eggs may be chocolate- but they have a hard candy coating outside that can very easily break braces off & even bend wires.

If you can't resist & are tempted by non-friendly brace goodies just be careful & brush and floss well afterwards. If something does break, please call the office for an emergency visit as soon as possible to fix it.

Azizi Orthodontics wishes you & your family a very Happy Easter & a wonderful day spent with your families! See you soon!!