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We are about to mark the one-year anniversary of our nation’s collective COVID-19 shutdown. Montgomery County, Md. and Washington, D.C. – where my two practices reside – went into lockdown on March 13, 2020.

Resilience is a word that is sometimes overused, but it was definitely more appropriate than ever in 2020. I am so proud of the schoolchildren who are my patients. They learned to … well … learn in a whole different way over the last 12 months. And parents? They are my superheroes! I cannot imagine working from home while monitoring schoolwork.

I am also proud of my staff and my fellow orthodontists and dentists. Even though we know the care we provide is essential, last spring we were kept for many weeks from doing what we love and what we know is a vital service to our community. We didn’t know when our livelihoods would bounce back … or if they would.

I’m especially proud that, since our practices opened up again last summer, we have proven that our offices are safe places where patients can get routine and emergency care in a COVID-free environment.

According to a new study published in The Journal of Dental Hygiene, the estimated prevalence rate of COVID-19 in U.S. dental hygienists is low. In fact, a survey of nearly 5,000 hygienists revealed only 3.1 percent had ever tested positive or been diagnosed with the virus. Masking up keeps the virus from spreading!

That study came after one published in October 2020 in The Journal of the American Dental Association that indicated fewer than one percent of U.S. dentists had been diagnosed with COVID-19. That result was far below the rate of other U.S. health professionals. The Journal also reported 99 percent of dentists were using enhanced infection control procedures such as screening protocols when treating patients.

We are committed to patient safety.

My practices not only have increased screening protocols and disinfection practices – I am scrubbing and hand sanitizing so much now that I sleep with gloves and moisturizer on my hands! – we have altered our personal behavior outside of the office to ensure our offices stay COVID-free.

I love to travel and have not been on a plane since last February. We are not carpooling with friends and neighbors – and we are not taking car or ride shares either – and we are celebrating birthdays and other family milestones from the safety of our own homes, with only those who live under our roofs. And, of course, we are excited to report that, as frontline healthcare workers, most of us have received our COVID-19 vaccines!

We miss social interaction and vacations just like everyone else, but with so many people still unvaccinated, going on a little weekend jaunt is not worth the risk.

While our practices were deemed non-essential at the beginning of the pandemic, we also know now that dentists, orthodontists, and other oral health experts actually can help diagnose COVID-19. According to Dr. Aravindhan Karunakaran, the virus can cause lesions on the tongue that might be the only symptom of COVID-19.

I hope these measures and this academic research will reassure parents and caregivers. According to a survey by C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, 40 percent of parents have avoided seeking dental care for their children during the pandemic, citing concerns about infection, office closures, and cost.

Not only does this set a bad precedent about how children will view dentists and orthodontists long-term (they’re scary or non-essential), it threatens overall health. What happens with your teeth can impact everything from quality of sleep to heart health. And, according to a report in Dentistry Today, patients with COVID-19 and gum disease were 4.5 times more likely to need a ventilator, and almost nine times more likely to die than those without gum disease.

Dental care is essential. And during COVID-19, it is safe.

You might be surprised to see one of your second grader’s friends with a dental appliance. Isn’t orthodontic work just for teenagers? And, if not, should your seven-year-old be sporting braces right now? The answer to both of those questions is “Not necessarily.” Two-phase treatment is a process designed to correct issues that arise during different times in your child’s life.

First Phase Treatment

We recommend that every child have an orthodontic evaluation around the age of seven to determine if there is a problem that would benefit from early treatment. First phase orthodontics is not the same as orthodontics for older patients. The focus here is on the developing bone and muscle structures which form your child’s bite and provide space for the permanent teeth when they arrive.

There are some clear-cut orthodontic goals that are much easier to attain when children’s bones are still growing.

• Reducing Crowding

If your child’s mouth is small, the permanent teeth will have little room to fit in when they arrive. We may recommend gently enlarging the upper dental arch with the use of a palatal expander. This device will provide room for the adult teeth, and could potentially shorten second phase treatment time. Sometimes the extractions necessary to create more room for permanent teeth in later years can be avoided, as well as the possibility of an impacted tooth—one which doesn’t erupt because it is blocked by other teeth.

• Dealing with Jaw and Bite Concerns

Bones and muscles do not always develop properly, leading to problems with jaw and facial structure. Your younger child still has growing bones, so this is a great time to gently re-form the jaw into a healthy shape. Problems caused by crossbites, underbites, open bites, and other malocclusions can be reduced with early treatment.

• Protecting Teeth

If your child has protruding front teeth, these teeth are more likely to be damaged in falls, at play, or while participating in sports. We can gently reposition them.

Second Phase Treatment

Second phase treatment is designed for your older child. After a resting period, when the permanent teeth finish erupting, we should see your child to evaluate any further orthodontic needs. This is the time to finish the process of straightening the teeth and making sure that each tooth fits together properly for a comfortable and healthy bite. This phase usually makes use of braces or aligners, and can take approximately 12-24 months.

Two-phase treatment is not necessary for every child. But there are some unique reasons that early orthodontics might be recommended for your child, even if it’s clear that more orthodontic work will be needed later. Make an appointment at our Washington D.C. office, and let’s evaluate your child’s orthodontic needs, whether now or in the future, for a lifetime of beautiful smiles.

Sports are great for children for a variety of reasons. Children can develop their motor skills, learn how to solve conflicts and work together, and develop their work ethics. As a parent, you may recognize the benefits of sports, but also naturally worry about your child’s health and safety. Your job goes beyond providing a water bottle and making sure your child follows the rules of the game.

Although you may not think of your child’s teeth first when you think about sports, accidents can happen that affect your children’s teeth. A stray hockey stick, an errant basketball, or a misguided dive after a volleyball are examples of ways a child could lose a tooth. In fact, studies show that young athletes lose more than three million teeth each year.

Becoming a Better Athlete to Protect Teeth

Becoming a better athlete involves refining skills, learning the rules of the game, and being a good sport. These components are not just about winning. They are also about safety. Young athletes who are better ball-handlers and who are careful to avoid fouls and penalties are less likely to have harmful contact with the ball, teammates, or opponents. Children who are better roller-bladers are less likely to take a face plant into the blacktop, and more likely to save their teeth. Being a good sport and avoiding unnecessary contact is one way to protect teeth.

Proper Protective Equipment for Teeth

If your child is in a sport that poses a high threat to teeth, it is essential for your child to wear a mouthguard. Mouthguards fit your child’s mouth and consist of soft plastic. We can custom fit a mouthguard if generic ones are uncomfortable. While children may resist wearing a mouthguard initially, your persistence in insisting that they wear it should be enough to convince them. A helmet or face mask provides additional protection.

While prevention is best, rapid treatment can improve the situation if your child does happen to lose a tooth during sports. Rapid implantation can work in about ten percent of cases. To learn about ways to save a lost tooth, contact our office.

Orthodontists and dentists both help patients improve their oral health, but in different ways. Dentistry is a broad medical specialty that deals with the teeth, gum, nerves, and jaw, while orthodontics is a specialty within dentistry that focuses on correcting bites, occlusion, and the straightness of teeth. One important difference is that all orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are licensed orthodontists.

How are they similar?

The main similarity between a dentist and orthodontist is that they both focus on oral care. An orthodontist can work in a dental office and provide the same care as a dentist. So in this respect, they are quite similar. They are both considered doctors, and deal with the teeth and gums.

How are they different?

There are more differences than similarities. An orthodontist requires additional schooling as a dental specialty; the situation is similar to a doctor who obtains additional schooling to become a surgeon. Another difference is that orthodontists specialize in helping patients with the alignment of their teeth, improving their bite, or fitting them for corrective braces and devices. If a patient has an overbite, a dentist will refer him or her to an orthodontist.

Dentists typically encourage good oral hygiene and provide services related to:

• Tooth decay
• Root canals
• Gum disease
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Veneers
• Teeth whitening

Orthodontists are dentists that specialize in the alignment of teeth, and provide services related to:

• Misaligned teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite

What an orthodontist can help with

Orthodontists help with crooked teeth, but they assist patients with other issues as well. These include overbites and underbites, crossbites, spaces between teeth, overcrowding of teeth, and the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Additional problems with the jaw also need to be treated by an orthodontist.

While a dentist may be trained to provide orthodontic care in addition to extractions, TMJ treatments, and fillings, trusting your smile to an orthodontist can better balance the different procedures you require.

To learn more about the difference between dentists and orthodontists, or to schedule an initial consultation, please give our team at Spring Valley Orthodontics a call at our convenient Washington D.C. office.