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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!!

1. Orthodontics became a specialty in dentistry 1900 by Edward H. Angle. This means orthodontics has been around for 122 years! Angle was the first orthodontist and was also the first person to make his dental practice strictly orthodontics. He also started the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), which is a membership for orthodontists only.
2. The word orthodontics is of Greek origin. Ortho means to correct or straighten, Dont means tooth. When put together the word orthodontics is formed meaning "straight teeth".
3. Teeth move in response to pressure. Some pressure is good but other pressure can be harmfu- when a child sucks their thumb or pushes their tongue against the teeth. This will cause an open bite. Orthodontic appliances such as braces, aligners and expanders align teeth with safe pressure.
4. NASA created a metal that is used for braces. The thin, flexible nickel-titanium (Niti) wires used were made by the space program. This material is thin, flexible and extremely strong!
5. Power chains are the elastic rubber bands that are all connected and apply more force to an area. The power chains are used to close spaces between teeth.
6. Dr. Azizi is a Penn Dental Medicine graduate of the Orthodontic department, an Ivy League university. He continually updates his education to provide the best and most effective care to his patients. Additionally, Dr. Azizi has served as Director and Professor of Orthodontics for more than 20 years at Temple University School of Dentistry, where he helped shape the next generations of orthodontists.