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A lot of our patients are curious about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. In fact, one of the most common questions we hear at Azizi Orthodontics is, “Dentists and orthodontists are all the same, right?”

A general dentist is your primary dental care provider. Dentists diagnose, treat, and manage your overall oral healthcare needs, including gum care, root canals, fillings, crowns, veneers, and bridges.

Orthodontists, such as Dr. Benjamin Azizi, are more concerned with diagnosis, prevention, interception, and treatment of malocclusion, or what we call “bad bite,” of the teeth. Orthodontists focus on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems such as overbites and underbites, and are responsible for straightening teeth via bands, wires, braces, and other fixed or removable corrective treatment options, like braces and clear aligners. Orthodontists treat children as well as adults who wish to improve the function of their bite and appearance of their smile.

Before becoming an orthodontist, doctors such as Dr. Benjamin Azizi start out in dental school and earn a dental degree, just like your general dentist. After dental school, those doctors who decide they are interested in the orthodontic field, stay in school for a few more years and become experts in orthodontia, which is one of nine specialties within the dental field.

Isn’t it nice to know we have orthodontic experts here at Azizi Orthodontics to help you through any type of treatment your teeth and jaw might need? To schedule your initial appointment at our Ambler or Glenside office, please give us a call today!

The alarm sounds in the morning, you wake up and realize "I forgot to wear my retainer!"

If this only happened once, don't panic. Missing one night with a retainer is unlikely to cause significant teeth movement. However, if it has happened often, give our Ambler or Glenside office a call to make sure your teeth haven’t shifted position.

Here are some tips from Dr. Benjamin Azizi to help you remember your retainer:

1. Write down the instructions we give you for wearing the retainer, whether you should wear it all day or at night, or just a few times a week. Writing things out like this helps set the schedule in your memory.

2. Clean the retainer when you take it out each time. If you don’t you may not have time when you’re rushing to get to work or school to clean it properly and may be tempted not to wear it.

3. Put a note on your mirror or in your purse or wallet reminding you to wear your retainer.

4. Set an alarm on your mobile phone to remind you when it’s time to put the retainer in. If you have email with a calendar you can set up daily reminders, too.

5. Always put the retainer in its case when you take it out to eat or sleep. You’ll reduce your risk for losing it or accidentally throwing it away.

6. If you don’t have to wear the retainer every day, you can use some recurring events to help you remember. With this system for example, watching your favorite weekly TV show, laundry day, or family pizza night can all serve as reminders that you should put in your retainer.

7. Don’t be shy about asking for help if you’re forgetful. Assure your spouse, parents, siblings, or roommates that you won’t consider if nagging if they remind you to wear your retainer.

8. Surf online for examples of how teeth can shift when retainers are not properly used. Those stories can serve as timely warning not to let the same thing happen to you!

Remember, you can always call our Ambler or Glenside office if you feel your retainer is uncomfortable or painful. We'll work with you to protect your smile!

Wearing orthodontic braces may be the best choice for correcting your teeth and improving your smile, and that's why you've come to see Dr. Benjamin Azizi at Azizi Orthodontics. Braces, which consist of brackets and wires, work by gently applying pressure to the teeth, and that pressure causes them to move into the correct position. In some cases elastics, or rubber bands, are used to apply additional pressure needed to move your teeth.

The Purpose of Elastics

Customized for each patient, the rubber bands typically stretch over tiny loops on the top and bottom brackets. If worn consistently, and every day, these tiny elastics will apply the steady pressure needed to guide your teeth into the correct position.

These elastics are crafted from medical-grade latex, which is safe to be in contact with your mouth. It's common to remove the elastics during meals if opening your mouth wide enough to eat is difficult. Our staff will demonstrate how to affix the elastics so it will soon become second nature to replace them.

The Do’s and the Don'ts

DO - Get in the habit of carrying around extra rubber bands and replace them as soon as one breaks. By consistently wearing the elastics, you may shorten the overall time needed to wear braces.

DON'T - Double up on elastics as this will cause too much pressure on the tooth or teeth and can actually harm the root of the tooth.

DO - Always wash your hands before removing or replacing the rubber bands.

DON'T - Overstretch the rubber band or it will lose its strength and it will be ineffective.

DO - Call us if you run out of rubber bands.

DO - Have fun with your braces and elastics. There are many different colors available that can let you show off your soon-to-be perfect smile.

Rubber bands are a key part of your orthodontic treatment, and learning how to remove and replace them is an important part to maintaining your braces. Before we set you on your journey to a perfect smile, we'll make sure you understand all there is to know about how to take care of your braces. Of course, if you have any questions about your orthodontic treatment, or orthodontics in general, be sure to contact our Ambler or Glenside office, and our staff will be happy to assist you!

Did you know that Dr. Azizi loves to drink tea after almost every meal?

Not only does a nice cup of tea make you feel good (especially when the crisp air comes) but it has a lot of health benefits as well.

• Improves your digestion. 

Herbal teas, like chamomile, mint, rosemary, and lavender, can improve your digestive health.The infusions and mixtures of herbs can be an effective treatment for gas, indigestion, constipation, and other digestive symptoms

• Prevents tooth decay

You may be surprised to learn that a cup of black tea each day can reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease. Research shows that enzyme-rich compounds can prevent plaque and bacteria from forming on teeth and gums.

• Curbs stress and anxiety

Drinking hot tea has a naturally calming effect. Enjoying a cup requires us to sit, slow down, and relax – all of which are natural weapons against stress and anxiety. To maximize this benefit go for caffeine-free herbal teas, such as peppermint and passion flower, or lavender.

•  Reduces blood pressure

If you are searching for a natural way to reduce your blood pressure, look to the plant-based antioxidants, called flavonoids, found in green or oolong tea. Research shows that drinking just a half-cup of antioxidant-rich green or oolong tea each day can reduce high blood pressure risk by almost 50%

•  Helps boost your immune system

The powerful antioxidant blend that is found in chamomile tea, as well as green tea, can give it a boost. Incorporating this into your everyday nutrition can help fight cold, flu, and other illnesses.

•   Enhances your eye health

Thanks to the antioxidants found in green and white teas, you can improve your eye health and help prevent serious eye-related complications, like cataracts and glaucoma, just by sipping a hot cup.

•  Sharpens your memory
  

Drinking hot tea regularly can keep your brain in tip-top shape. Studies suggest that the minimally-processed green tea leaves from the Camellia sinensis bush helps boost cognitive functioning, including the working memory.

•   Reduces your risk of stroke

Research shows that drinking at least three cups of green or black tea each day can lead to a 21% reduction in your risk of stroke. The findings concluded that catechins, a chemical compound found in green and black teas, have stroke-reducing effects on the vascular system.