Author name: Zaidi Orthodontics

Every year, Americans all over the world celebrate the birth of the country and its independence on the Fourth of July. There are countless ways that people celebrate and they range from community parades and large scale gatherings to concerts, fireworks displays, and smaller scale celebrations among family and friends. For some people, July 4th is synonymous with baseball, while for others it is all about the beach of barbecues. However you celebrate, you can be sure that red, white, and blue is visible everywhere throughout the area. The Beginnings of Fourth of July Celebrations Although it wasn’t officially designated as a federal holiday until 1941, the actual tradition of celebrating Independence Day goes back to the time of the American Revolution (1775 – 1783). At the time of the American Revolution, representatives from the 13 colonies penned the resolution that ultimately declared their independence from Great Britain. The continental congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence on July 2nd of 1776. Two days later, Thomas Jefferson’s famous document that is now known as the Declaration of Independence, was adopted by delegates representing the 13 colonies. First States to Recognize the Fourth of July In 1781, Massachusetts became the first state (or commonwealth) whose legislature resolved to designate July 4th as the date on which to celebrate the country’s independence. Two years later, Boston became the first city to make an official designation to honor the country’s birth with a holiday on July 4th. In that same year, North Carolina’s governor, Alexander Martin, became the first governor to issue an official state order stipulating that July 4th was the day on which North Carolinians would celebrate the country’s independence. Fun Facts About the Fourth of July The reason the stars on the original flag were arranged in a circle is because it was believed that would indicate that all of the colonies were equal. Americans eat over 150 million hot dogs on July 4th. Imports of fireworks each year totals over $211 million. The first “official” Fourth of July party took place at the White House in 1801. Benjamin Franklin didn’t want the national bird to be the bald eagle. He believed that the turkey was better suited to the coveted distinction. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson disagreed with him, and he was outvoted, so the bald eagle became the official bird of the United States. For many, the tradition is something entirely different. Along the coastal areas of the United States, people may haul out huge pots to have lobster or other types of seafood boils. Others may spend the day in the bleachers at a baseball game, or at a park, cooking a great traditional meal over an open fire. No matter how or where you celebrate, one thing is certain: all Americans celebrate July 4th as the birth and independence of our country. Dr. Sheeba Zaidi and our team at Zaidi Orthodontics wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July!

When beginning orthodontic treatment, most patients ask Dr. Sheeba Zaidi and our team a lot of questions about what to expect, while others choose to just “go with the flow” and leave it to us to build for them a beautiful smile. And for our team at Zaidi Orthodontics, that’s understandable. But for those who do ask questions, two of the ones we frequently hear are “Will my braces hurt?” and “How long will these be on?” We explain to our patients that despite what they’ve heard, braces do not hurt when they’re initially put on. Yes, you will experience soreness after your braces are placed and when your teeth start to move. Too often, our patients hear horror stories about how much it hurts to get the braces on, so they tend to over-worry. The truth is, after their braces are on, almost all patients say “that’s it?” because it’s actually easy and painless! At Zaidi Orthodontics, we answer most of your other questions during your initial exam. When a patient visits our office for the first time, we give him or her a time estimate of how long it will take to achieve their ideal smile. All other questions are answered at the bonding appointment when the braces are placed. We cover all the topics, everything from eating to brushing with braces, but we also know that after your initial appointment, it’s natural for you to have questions about your or your child’s treatment. And we are always here for you; we are thorough and always try to answer any questions or concerns you may have. As a patient, that’s one thing you never have to worry about. You will always know what’s going on throughout your orthodontic experience.

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) describe a set of conditions that involve trouble with your jaw and face muscles. They result from a problem in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is a hinge that connects the temporal bones, in your skull in front of each ear, to your jaw. The joint enables you to talk, yawn, and chew by letting your mouth move. TMD can be very painful and interfere with functions such as eating and speaking. This what to watch for and how to try to prevent TMD. Risk Factors for TMD You are at higher risk for TMD if you are a women than if you are male. The disorder is most common among adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Other risk factors for TMJ disorders include the following. Arthritis in the area, making movement more difficult Excessive tooth grinding, because it increases stress on the joint General stress, which can lead you to clench your teeth and strain facial muscles Symptoms of TMD Symptoms of TMD can last for just a short while, or for several years. Seeing Dr. Sheeba Zaidi is important if your symptoms make it impossible for you to eat regularly or if you have unbearable pain or discomfort. The following symptoms can occur on both or one side of your face. Aching or very tired facial muscles Jaws that are fixed open or shut without you being able to unlock them Grating or popping sounds when you chew or close or open your mouth Pain in the entire area, including the mouth, jaw, neck, or shoulders, that comes on when you chew or yawn Preventing TMD You can try to prevent TMD by focusing on reducing risk factors. If you grind your teeth at night, ask Dr. Sheeba Zaidi about wearing a mouthguard. If you are overly stressed, look into ways to better manage your stress and relax your muscles. Another strategy for trying to prevent the development of TMD is to avoid chewing gum, since that puts stress on your jaw. If you have questions about TMD, don’t hesitate to contact our Wallingford, CT office.

If you are wearing braces and are planning a vacation, our team at Zaidi Orthodontics would suggest that you be prepared. We put together a list of items that will be handy to have with you at all times while you are out of town. They include: Toothpick, flosspick, or other interdental cleaners Travel toothbrush A water bottle or a mini bottle of mouth rinse Orthodontic wax to help with discomfort from protruding wires A small mirror for examining any possible issues in your mouth Putting these items together in a “braces/oral hygiene kit” may be wise. You may even buy pre-made braces kits. Please ask us for more information. If you happen to be on vacation and experience problems reaching our office, we suggest going online and searching for orthodontic practices in your area. Most orthodontists will lend a helping hand to another orthodontic patient and get him or her out of pain or discomfort. We also suggest avoiding the following foods to prevent broken brackets and/or wire distortion while you are on vacation: Chewy, sticky, or gummy food Apples, pears, and other whole fruits (cut fruit into wedges before consuming) Bagels and hard rolls Corn on the cob Hard candies Hard cookies or pretzels All varieties of nuts, including peanuts, almonds, and cashews Finally, if you are wearing clear aligners and happen to lose your tray, don’t worry! Simply put in either the previous tray or the next tray and contact us as soon as you get home! Follow these tips and you can have a worry-free vacation! Please give us a call if you have any questions!

One of the sure signs that summer has arrived is the unmistakable aroma of barbecue drifting over backyards across the country. If you’re new to braces, you might be wondering just how many of your favorite outdoor treats can still go on your plate. Good news! You have a lot of braces-friendly options available—with a little extra planning on your part. Two things to remember: tools and textures. BBQ Tools We’re not talking about spatulas and tongs and skewers—the barbecue tools we’re talking about here are your knife and fork. Sure, many classic BBQ dishes are finger foods, but those are the very dishes which can cause problems for your braces. Eating savory ribs or chicken legs, juicy burgers or hot dogs, or delicious corn on the cob the traditional way means biting into these foods with your front teeth. That biting puts a lot of pressure on your braces and can lead to bent wires and loose or broken brackets. But there’s a way to get around this without giving up on your tasty favorites! There’s no rule against using your knife and fork at a BBQ, and there’s no need to bite into foods when you can cut them up into small, manageable pieces. If you remove meat from bones before eating, if you deconstruct your grilled burger or brat by cutting it up into smaller pieces, if you slice the kernels off your corn on the cob, you can chew with your back teeth and avoid any damage to your brackets and wires. Cut grilled foods into manageable bites just like you do with your regular meals, and you won’t be leaving the party early!   BBQ Textures Now let’s talk texture. Crunchy, hard, and sticky foods should never be on the menu when you’re wearing braces. These foods can damage your wires and brackets or get stuck between your braces and your teeth. This is a time for clever substitutions. Exchange the corn chips for soft potato or pasta salad. Trade crusty and seeded buns for softer, seedless versions. Skip the grilled sticky s’mores and enjoy creamy, soft ice cream instead—but without nuts or other crunchy, sticky additions, please! Dr. Sheeba Zaidi and our team are happy to offer suggestions for what to eat and how to eat it safely while you’re in braces at our Wallingford, CT orthodontic office. There are unavoidable events that can put a damper on outdoor activities. Pouring rain and insect pests—not much we can do about those. But taking simple precautions with your braces means no bent wires and broken brackets to ruin your BBQ fun. Now, dig in!

Bite problems are so common that most of us know someone who’s worn braces. So perhaps you’re already familiar with the terms “overbite” and “underbite”—but if you’ve been diagnosed with an “overjet,” that just might be an orthodontic diagnosis that is new to you. If so, here are a few questions and answers to help promote overjet understanding. Just what is an “overjet”? An overjet is a type of malocclusion, which means that there’s a problem with your bite, the way your jaws and teeth fit together when you bite down. In a healthy bite, the front top teeth project slightly beyond, and slightly overlap, the bottom teeth. The key word here is “slightly.” An overjet is a Class II malocclusion, which means that the upper front teeth project further beyond the lower teeth than they should. Overjets and overbites are both Class II malocclusions, and the words are often used interchangeably, but there’s a notable difference between the two conditions. An overbite occurs when the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth too far vertically, and you can’t see as much of the lower teeth as you should when you bite down. An overjet is considered more horizontal in nature, where the top teeth project at an outward angle toward the lips instead of pointing straight down toward the bottom teeth. This condition is sometimes called protruding or buck teeth. What causes an overjet? The reason for your overjet might be dental (caused by tooth alignment), or skeletal (caused by bone development), or a combination of both. Overjets can run in families. They can also be caused by the size and position of your jaws and the shape and position of your teeth, all of which affect your bite alignment. But early oral habits, such as prolonged and vigorous thumb-sucking or pacifier use, can also contribute to overjet development. How do we treat an overjet? There are many types of treatment available. Dr. Sheeba Zaidi will recommend a treatment plan based on the cause and severity of your overjet. Because some treatments are effective while bones are still growing, age plays a part as well. Braces and Aligners If you have a mild overjet, and minor dental issues are the main cause of the malocclusion, braces or clear aligners can effective. Functional Appliances If the overjet is caused by a problem with upper and lower jaw development, devices called functional appliances can be used to help guide the growth of the jawbones while a child’s bones are still forming. For young patients, there are several appliances which can help correct an overjet. Some, such as the Twin Block and the Forsus Spring appliances, work inside the mouth, while others, like headgear, are worn externally. Your orthodontist will recommend the most effective appliance for your needs. Surgical treatment In some cases, where the malocclusion is skeletal in nature as well as dental, surgical treatment might be necessary to reshape the jawbone itself. If we recommend surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are experts in surgical procedures designed to create a healthy and symmetrical jaw alignment. Dr. Sheeba Zaidi will work with your surgeon to design a treatment plan, which will usually include braces or other appliances following surgery. Why treat your overjet? A serious, moderate, or even mild overjet can lead to many dental and medical problems, including: Concerns about facial and dental appearance Front teeth which are more at risk for injury Difficulty closing the lips Problems speaking or chewing Headaches, facial, and temporomandibular (jaw) joint pain When you work with our Wallingford, CT team to correct your overjet, you’re not just correcting a problem. You’re also creating something—a healthy, comfortable bite, and an attractive, confident smile. We can talk about general answers to your overjet questions, but when it comes to understanding your very individual smile, Dr. Sheeba Zaidi will have all the answers you need to make that healthy bite and that confident smile a reality!