Alborzi Orthodontics - May/June 2021

Alborzi Orthodontics - May/June 2021

235 N. SanMateo Drive, Suite 300 SanMateo, CA 94401-2672 Tel: (650) 342-4171

705 Purissima Half Moon Bay, CA 94019-1934 Tel: (650) 726-6321 Your Smile ~ Our World

May/June 2021

WHY BEING AN ORTHODONTIST IS MORE THAN MY JOB It’s My Passion and What I Do in My Spare Time

Most people have some sort of hobby, and they wouldn’t consider it to be their work, but an orthodontist can’t make that

Keeping up on the latest tools and procedures in orthodontics might seem exhausting, but it’s actually what makes it fun and exciting! Not too long ago, I spent two

and more, I’m not necessarily passionate about any of those things — at least, not in the same way I’m passionate about orthodontics. I think I know why, too. It’s because at the end of the day, what I’m passionate about is learning. I love gaining new knowledge and applying it to my experience, whatever that may be. That’s why I love orthodontics so much — there’s always something new to learn! As an orthodontist though, my love of learning isn’t self-serving — it’s so I can help you, my patients. Because at the end of the day, you can’t be an orthodontist if you don’t love people. It’s as much a career about managing people, whether staff or patients, as it is a career about managing teeth. So, while some orthodontists might do what they do because it’s a job they know they’re capable of doing passably well, I do it because I love to learn, and because through learning, I get to help you.

distinction. Orthodontics is a career and a passion. It can’t just be the way you make money. If you treat it as

and a half hours after work taking a course on how to better treat sleep apnea. That might not seem like the ideal after-work activity, but if it means serving my patients better, then it’s more than worth my time.

just a job, you can’t ever be successful at it. So, while I do have other hobbies and things that I like to do outside of work, my first inclination is to do things related to orthodontics — even in my free time!

Orthodontists need to know more than just teeth and mouths, however.

While I truly enjoy learning about and practicing orthodontics,

part of the reason that I’m immersed in orthodontics more than anything else is because there is just so much to learn! The field is constantly evolving, both in terms of the procedures that lead to the best outcomes for our patients’ health and the technology we use to help our patients. Plus, while you might think that all an orthodontist does is help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, our care helps the entire body run properly. When that’s the case, it’s no wonder that I’m learning new things about orthodontics every day.

We also have to know how to manage a business on top of that! The more I learn about business management, the more it becomes apparent that it is a science

in and of itself. It’s completely separate from my actual work but is nevertheless necessary to understand if I want to continue to help my patients to the best of my ability.

So, even though I enjoy riding motorcycles, hiking, skiing,

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WHY INVISALIGN IS THE CLEAR WINNER AHEAD OF ITS COMPETITORS

You know you want to realign your smile, and you know that you don’t want to get traditional braces to do it. So, maybe you’ve done some research on Invisalign and, in doing so, encountered some other similar options for bite correction, such as SmileDirect or ClearCorrect. However, before you sign on with one of these other options for clear, removable braces, read on to see why Invisalign is still the best by far. Invisalign has been around for much longer than its competitors. Invisalign began back in 1997, while its most notable competitors, ClearCorrect and SmileDirect, were founded years later in 2006 and 2014, respectively. That means that Invisalign has had much more time to perfect its product and make it the best choice for patients looking for a clear, removable alternative to metal braces. Invisalign braces are more comfortable. Even though ClearCorrect makes an aligner that is thinner, and therefore perhaps less noticeable, that means the material is flimsier, less comfortable, and more likely to break. It’s also the material that Invisalign was using 10 years ago. CROSSING THE FINISH LINE: TRANSFORMED SMILES

Today, Invisalign uses their patented SmartTrack material to make their aligners, which, while a bit thicker, is much more comfortable.

Invisalign braces are more versatile. When compared to Smile Direct, one of the biggest advantages Invisalign braces have is that they can be used to correct even the most severe misalignments. SmileDirect has said that their product can only correct minor misalignments. Invisalign braces are more likely to help you achieve your goal for your smile. Another disadvantage of SmileDirect in particular is that you don’t ever visit an orthodontist in person to review your progress. You make your own impressions and photos, and you check in with orthodontists online — that’s a lot of room for user error! If you want to make sure you have the help of the experts, it’s better to go with Invisalign. At Alborzi Orthodontics, we’ve chosen to provide Invisalign because it is clearly the best available option for realigning your bite in a way that is discreet and comfortable. To schedule an appointment today, call (650) 305-7161.

To Moms & Dads DON’TWAIT ANY LONGER!

Exclusive special offer for new patients only:

$950 Off Full TreatmentWith Retention Plan*

Are you waiting until all your children’s orthodontic needs are taken care of before tending to your own? There’s no need to wait any longer! Call (650) 305-7161 now to make an appointment with Dr. Alborzi, or go to AlborziSmiles.com to use our online scheduler. We look forward to hearing from you!

*Offer valid for new patients only for the entire month of May 2021. Cannot be combined with other offers.

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? SHOW THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS!

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FLOSSING WITH BRACES KNOWING THE INS AND OUTS It’s already hard to remember to floss daily, but when you’re wearing Damon braces, or even traditional wire braces, just the thought of how long it takes to floss is enough to make you want to forgo the tedious activity altogether.

Dental Tape If you haven’t flossed in a while, the waxy string might irritate your gums and make them bleed. With time, your gums will get used to flossing, but until then, you can also try dental tape. Dental tape is smooth and spongy, shaped more like a ribbon than a string. It glides more softly between the gums, but if you’re wearing braces, the downside is that you’ll have to use it just like you would regular floss.

Not wanting to floss when you’re wearing braces is understandable, but it can be counterproductive in the long run. Just as you want to improve your oral health by wearing braces, you make yourself more susceptible to cavities and gum disease in the long run if you don’t floss. Fortunately, however, there are a few different tips and products that can make it easier for you to floss with braces. Floss Threaders Floss threaders are inexpensive tools that will cut several minutes off the time it takes you to floss with braces. They look like needles with oversized eyes, and every time you floss, just thread the floss through the eye of the threader and poke the “needle” in

A Waterpik This is the pricier of the three options, but some people prefer it to other options. With a Waterpik, instead of flossing with string or ribbon, you floss with a steady stream of water. Flossing with one of these devices takes about 3–5 minutes, and some of them come with specialized tips for cleaning around brackets and wires.

If you have any lingering questions about flossing with braces, or need any other tips or tricks for

between your teeth. It will carry the floss with it, making for a lot less fuss than trying to get just the floss under the wire and between your teeth. You can buy large packs of floss threaders at most convenience stores.

making daily routines with braces easier, just ask Dr. Alborzi at Alborzi Orthodontics. You can visit her website at AlborziSmiles. com today for a free consultation.

LOUD! Laugh Out

This rice recipe is perfect for getting your kids to eat their greens without realizing it! EASY & HEALTHY GREEN RICE

Ingredients • 1 cup tightly packed spinach leaves • 1 cup tightly packed kale leaves, stems removed

• 1/2 cup

yellow onions, finely diced • 1/2 cup green peppers, diced • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced • 1 cup long-grain white rice 1–2 minutes before adding the blended mixture. Increase heat to bring to a boil. 4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid has evaporated, 15–20 minutes. 5. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

• 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock • 2 tbsp full-fat coconut milk • 1 tsp kosher salt

Directions 1. In a blender, purée spinach and kale with vegetable stock, coconut milk, and salt. Set aside. 2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, sauté onions and peppers in olive oil until soft. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. 3. Stir in rice and cook and toast for

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Give us a call! TEL: (650) 342-4171 FAX (650) 342-8748

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

235 N. SAN MATEO DRIVE, SUITE 300 SAN MATEO, CA 94401-2672

Issue INSIDE THIS

Why Being an Orthodontist Is More Than My Job PAGE 1 4 Reasons Why Invisalign Is the Clear Winner Over Its Competitors Winning at Alborzi Orthodontics SAVE $950 OFF TREATMENT PLAN PAGE 2 The Ins and Outs of Flossing With Braces Easy & Healthy Green Rice PAGE 3 3 Tips for RVing on a Budget PAGE 4

BECOME A SAVVY RV USER

And Save Money on Your Summer Road Trip

This past fall, RV manufacturers reported a 31% increase in sales compared to 2019. This was no doubt related to an effort to stave off the spread of COVID-19, which had more families opting to take road trips and camp instead of going on tropical and European vacations. While the great outdoors can be the perfect affordable backdrop for family vacations, it doesn’t come without a cost. You can hit the road without your bank account taking a hit with these three must‑do tips! Stay for Free If you’re on a cross-country adventure, you will need a place to park and rest each night before continuing your adventure the next day. Rather than shelling out money every night, consider free options. Search for public land that’s part of the Bureau of Land Management or in a Wildlife Management Area that allows

overnight camping. Walmart allows RV parking at no cost, but some locations pose safety concerns. To mitigate this, well-meaning RVers have listed Walmart locations with red flags. You can check them out at AllStays.com. Save on Fuel Fuel could be your biggest expense, but you can cut down on the inevitable by driving slower than 60 mph when it’s safe to do so. Once you hit 60 mph or above in your RV, your gas mileage will drop. Furthermore, you can keep your gas bill in check by sticking to trips within your state, planning your route to avoid unnecessary detours, and leaving early to miss the traffic. Each little action could make a big impact on your fuel bill. Re-Use Items in Your Home You may have a long to-buy list for your RV, but not everything on there may be necessary.

Before splurging on the latest gear, consider what you have in your home. Use old kitchen utensils and plates, cleaning supplies, bedding, and entertainment items like books and toys in your RV to save money and clear some clutter from your home. It’s a win-win! Looking for more RV tips? Check out GanderOutdoors.com or download apps like AllStay, RVParky, and State Lines. Happy trails!

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