Memorial Day is a national holiday in the United States that is observed on the last Monday of May. It is an important day because it honors & remembers the service men & women who have died while serving in the U.S military.
Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War & became an official federal holiday in 1971. The holiday is marked by many traditions, including parades, firework displays, memorial services & the flying of the American flag at half-mast.
Observing Memorial Day is a way to pay tribute to the brave men & women who served in the arm forces & made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It is also a time to remember the families & loved ones of those who died in service to our country & to honor their ultimate sacrifices.
Memorial Day also marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season in the United States. Many people celebrate the holiday by spending time with family & friends, attending barbecues & enjoying the outdoors. Memorial Day is an important day in American history because it allows us to remember & honor those who sacrificed their lives to defend the values & freedom we enjoy.
To become an Orthodontist, who is a specialist, one must typically complete the following steps:
Obtain a bachelor's degree: you must obtain a bachelor's degree in any major before applying to dental school.
Get accepted into a dental school: you must take the dental admission test (DAT) & apply to dental schools. Dental school typically will take four additional years of classwork to complete.
Complete a residency: after graduation from dental school, a candidate must complete a two-year residency program in orthodontics or a similar specialty.
Get licensed: you must be licensed to practice orthodontics in your state of practice.
Get certified by the American board of orthodontics: to become a certified orthodontist, you must pass an exam administered by the American board of orthodontics.
Keep up with continuing education: to keep up with the latest orthodontic techniques & technology, orthodontists must complete continuing education courses each year, which Dr. Azizi & even his staff continue to do as a group.
Dr. Benjamin Azizi, Penn Dental School graduate & director of Orthodontics at Temple University for over 20 years.
Summertime can be a good time to start orthodontic treatment for several reasons:
More flexible schedule: Summertime is usually a more relaxed schedule with fewer commitments like school. This makes it easier to schedule orthodontic appointments.
Faster results: Since people tend to have more free time to attend multiple appointments during the summer, orthodontic treatment can often be completed more quickly.
Adjustment period: Starting orthodontic treatment can be uncomfortable at first as your mouth adjusts to braces or aligners. Summer is a good time to start treatment because it gives you time to get used to your new appliance before returning to school or work.
Good time for minor adjustments: Summer is a good time for minor orthodontic adjustments which can improve your smile before important events like weddings, vacations or school photos.
Protect teeth during sports: Many summer sport activities put your smile at risk for injury. Orthodontic treatment includes the use of a mouthguard or Invisalign trays. These will protect your teeth & gums during activities.
Overall, summertime can provide a good opportunity to begin orthodontic treatment in a convenient, comfortable & safe way!
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!
