Orthodontics may seem pricey but in reality, having a beautiful smile is really an investment in the long run.
Orthodontic treatment can give one a healthier dentition by preventing serious medical problems in the future.
Orthodontics can prevent tooth decay. When there is crowding it can be hard to reach certain areas while brushing. If the teeth are overlapping, creating tight contact it can cause plaque & bacteria to sit longer on the teeth due to not being able to properly clean. This can cause decay, also known as cavities. A cavity may not seem like a big deal but could become costly on the wallet. If a filling goes bad, it may lead to expensive dental work-- root canals, crowns, implants, etc.
Orthodontics can also prevent gum disease. Just like crowding can cause tooth decay, it can also cause problems with the bacteria sitting around the gumline. Gum disease causes bleeding & inflammation.
Orthodontics can also help and prevent TMJ, grinding of the teeth as well headaches. If there is a deep overbite it can cause headaches & TMJ due to tension. Getting orthodontic treatment can correct the bite & stop the pressure which will also get rid of the tension headaches.
One last benefit of orthodontic treatment is the confidence boost one will receive from having a perfect smile!
The best way to keep living a healthy lifestyle is to be sure you go to your doctor for annual physicals & take care of your body.
Taking care of your body can be done in different ways- healthy dieting, physical activity, mental health check-in's & more.
A healthy diet consists of fiber, fruits, vegetables, good fats & whole grains. This diet will help reduce inflammation which can cause damage to bones, joints & organs. Processed foods may be tasty but are not good for the body. Processed foods can cause problems with high blood pressure & high sugar levels which can lead to heart disease, diabetes & obesity. A good healthy diet can contain olive oil, fruits, vegetables, fish & low amounts of red meat; this can help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
It is important to incorporate physical activity such as going to a gym, jogging, & walking. This will reduce your risk of heart disease, obesity, depression & strokes. Physical activity can also improve your sleep. Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress levels & can play an important role on your mental health.
Mental health is vital and should be treated as such. You can take care of your mental health by seeing a therapist, going on walks or hikes, writing in a journal or even just talking with someone who you trust & is important to you. There does not need to be a major issues in your life to talk with a therapist. Seeing a therapist is good outlet for anyone & a great outlet to vent about anything going on in your life even if it's something small.
Make sure to see your doctor for your annual check-ins. This is important because even if you feel great there may be an underlying issue. It is best for your physical & mental health to make sure everything is ok.
One may notice their Invisalign trays or clear retainers turn yellow. This is normal and indicates how much one is wearing the trays. There are easy ways to clean.
Invisalign:
During Invisalign treatment trays are changed every 1 to 2 weeks. If a patient is at the stage whereit is necessary to change every 2 weeks, one may notice the trays are turning yellowish or perhaps look dirty. Dr.Azizi likes to see this color because, it indicates how often a patient is wearing their Invisalign trays!
Toothbrush and toothpaste: When toothbrushing, take the toothbrush and brush the Invisalign trays inside as well as out just as one would brush their teeth. Do keep in mind it is best to stay away from any type of whitening toothpaste, as it turns the trays cloudy.
Remove trays when eating: When it is mealtime make sure to remove the trays. This will help tremendously as food won't be able to stain the trays. Also, food will not be able to get stuck in the trays.
Only drink clear liquids: Try to only drink clear liquids while wearing Invisalign trays since there is no way to stain them. If one is drinking coffee and tea throughout the day and don't want to leave the trays out long, just rinse the trays off right after having the coffee or tea. This will help prevent staining.
Cleaning tablets: There are cleaning solution tablets at any drugstore, Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc. While eating a meal put a tablet in a glass of warm water along with the trays. When finished, rinse & brush the trays before putting back into the mouth.
Retainers:
Since one should be wearing their retainers all day & night and removing only to eat and brush, one may notice the retainers begin to discolor. Here are a few easy ways to keep the retainers looking new & clean.
Toothbrush and toothpaste: When toothbrushing- take the toothbrush clean the Invisalign trays inside as well as out. Just as one would the teeth. Do keep in mind it is best to stay away from any type of whitening toothpaste because it can cause the trays to turn cloudy.
Only drink clear liquids: Try to only drink clear liquids while wearing the Invisalign trays. If one drinks coffee and tea throughout the day and don't want to leave retainer out too long, rinse the retainer right after finishing to prevent staining.
Cleaning tablets: Cleaning solution tablets are available at any drugstore, Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc and while having a meal put a tablet in warm water with the trays and when finished eating, rinse and brush the trays before putting back in the mouth.
Mouthwash: Place mouthwash and retainer in a cup- allow to sit for about an hour then brush and rinse. This will also help with any odor that comes from the saliva on the retainer.
Order a backup pair: Ordering another set of retainers is a terrific idea. One may wish to keep the pair which is looking old and dirty for overnight use and wear the fresh retainer when out. In case one retainer is lost or broken, there is a backup available to use so shifting doesn't occur. One can always ask Dr. Azizi's staff for more information on ordering a backup retainer.
OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) can be a very serious sleep disorder. It has to do with difficulty breathing during sleep. Some will even stop and start breathing again.
Signs of sleep apnea:
Very loud snoring
Period of times when one stops breathing during sleep
Gasping for air during sleep
Morning headaches
Dry mouth at wake up
There are different causes of sleep apnea-
Obstructive sleep apnea:
This type of sleep apnea occurs when muscles in back of the throat relax. When muscles relax, the airway narrows or closes as one inhales. If one is not getting enough air, blood oxygen levels will lower. The brain receives a signal that one cannot breathe and will wake. Sometimes people are not even aware. This may happen anywhere from 5 to 30 times an hour during sleep, making it hard to have a deep, relaxing sleep.
This type of sleep apnea can happen to anyone, even children. Here are some risk factors:
Excess weight- Obesity increases the risk due to fatty tissue around the upper airway.
Narrow airways- Tonsils or adenoids can enlarge and block the airway.
Smoking- People who smoke are three times more likely to have this type of sleep apnea due to inflammation of the airway.
Family history- Sleep apnea may be genetic, a family member experience it.
2. Central sleep apnea:
This type of sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send signals to the breathing muscles. Hence, there will be short spans of time when there isn't any effort to breathe. This can cause one to wake up with shortness of breath and have difficulties sleeping through the night.
This type of sleep apnea can happen to anyone, even children but some risk factors include:
Being a male- More men than women have been diagnosed with OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea).
