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“I think I have to cancel my appointment.”

Our office has gotten that call more than once in the last several weeks, sometimes just hours before a scheduled visit. Under normal circumstances, we discourage these last-minute cancellations, but these days? Well, we certainly understand when it comes to COVID. In fact, we want you to act with extreme caution.

It is one way that you can help us keep our offices safe and help prevent community spread of this deadly virus.

As you and your family probably have seen, our offices have increased the amount of personal protective equipment we are wearing – sometimes we even don more than one mask! You’ve seen face shields (which are added protection, but should not be relied on instead of a mask) and certainly more hand sanitizer.

Dentist and orthodontist offices always are always fanatical about infection control, but we are even more so now.

And, the good news: we know it’s working.

According to a study from the American Dental Association (ADA), while dentists and orthodontist offices were shut down at the beginning of the pandemic due to fears about COVID spread, less than one percent of dentists have had the virus. That result is far below the rate of other health professionals in the United States. The ADA also noted that “99 percent of dentists are using enhanced infection control procedures such as screening protocols and enhanced disinfection practices when treating patients.”

If you are feeling well, you should feel confident about keeping your regular dentist and orthodontist appointments.

What can you do to help keep our offices free of COVID?

At home and wherever you go:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or, if you don’t have access to soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Maintain at least six feet of distance between yourself and anyone else, especially if they are coughing or sneezing;
• Limit interaction with individuals outside of your household;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze – do not use your hands; and
• Wear a mask whenever you are outside of your household.

Obviously, if you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, or have lost your sense of taste or smell, call our office. We’ll discuss your health status, the dental treatment you require, and whether or not visiting our office will be safe for you, our other patients, and our staff. Please also give us a call if you’ve been exposed to someone that has had a positive COVID-19 test. That’s helpful information and we can always see you after you’ve had time to quarantine.

Third, while we know the early bird gets the worm, it also can cause crowding in our waiting rooms. Please be on time, but if you’re more than five minutes early, wait in your car or call to see if we can safety seat you.

Finally, a note about travel, which my patients know that I love! I have not enjoyed being grounded, but COVID-19 can travel with us wherever we go. If you have been out of the area in the last 14 days – anywhere – or if someone in your household has traveled, please let us know. Again, we can always reschedule!

At the heart of every doctor-patient relationship is trust and good communication. If you’re worried about coming in, or wondering if you should keep your appointment, just give us a call and we’ll talk through it. Remember: our job is to keep you and your family smiling and healthy.

Especially, in these times, we’ll understand if you need to reschedule.

You’ve taken the first step toward a healthier and more beautiful appearance by getting braces at Spring Valley Orthodontics, and you’re probably wondering what comes next. The first week is the period of biggest adjustment, and there’s a lot to learn in this short time. Don’t worry; in a few short days your braces will feel completely natural.

The first week

On the first day, your braces will probably feel very odd in your mouth; it will take time to get used to them. By the second day, you may feel some soreness or pain. If you are going to experience any pain, the second and third days are when it will happen. Most pain can be dealt with by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Tylenol.

What about sore spots?

Your cheeks and tongue are getting used to your new braces, just like your teeth are. You may develop sore spots where this soft tissue rubs against the harsh metal of your braces. The best way to avoid this and allow your mouth to heal is by covering the metal spot with orthodontic wax. Break off a small piece and roll it into a ball in your hands. Dry the metal of the braces with a cotton swab, then wrap the wax around the sharp spot to create a cushion.

What if they break?

Braces are held onto your teeth with special orthodontic glue. Once in a great while, part of your appliance may come loose from the surface of a tooth. This won’t harm anything; it will just be slightly inconvenient. Call our office right away and we will be able to glue the bracket back on.

Make sure you avoid hard items such as ice, brittle, and other hard candies, and don’t open packages with your teeth. These habits can contribute to braces popping off. Even fairly innocent-sounding items like popcorn or French bread can be a culprit, so avoid eating any hard foods, or cut them up into small pieces before consuming.

If you have questions about which foods to eat and avoid, or if your braces are more sore than expected, feel free to contact our Washington D.C. office and ask our team. We’re more than happy to help!

Proper oral hygiene techniques are always worthwhile, but they are especially crucial when you’re wearing orthodontic appliances such as braces. When you don’t maintain an effective oral hygiene routine, you can be more susceptible to gum disease as well as tooth decay, cavities, decalcification, discoloration, and/or staining of the teeth.

Braces themselves don’t cause these issues, but since they create spaces that are difficult to clean, they provide extra sources of food (dental plaque and food debris) for the bacteria that do. Bacteria create a biofilm on the surface of a tooth that can spread if not addressed. That bacteria food can only be removed by a mechanical action: brushing and flossing your teeth!

Here’s a list of smart hygiene steps to follow for the duration of your braces or BRIUS treatment:

Proper tooth brushing technique: Make sure to brush your teeth thoroughly (for a total of about two minutes), but not too hard. Point the head of the toothbrush at the gum line and brush just hard enough so that you feel slight pressure against the gums. Use a soft, small-headed toothbrush or an electric toothbrush if you’d like. Try your best always to clean on and around every tooth, bracket, and wire in your mouth!

Flossing: Braces can make flossing a chore (with BRIUS it's easier), but it’s an essential adjunct to proper tooth brushing. Make sure to floss between all your teeth and brackets. We can provide you with braces floss threaders and interproximal toothbrushes (small brushes used to clean areas under wires and between brackets) to make the task easier. You might also consider purchasing an oral irrigator that uses a stream of water to blast food particles and debris from between teeth and gums.

Rinse with water: This may sound slight, but it’s a good idea, especially if you aren’t able to brush. Rinsing your mouth with water throughout the day helps to dislodge the decay-causing food particles that become lodged in braces.

Hygiene away from home: It’s a good idea to have a kit with a toothbrush, floss, floss threaders, mirror, and small water cup on hand at school or work. That way, you’ll be sure to have all the tools you need to keep your mouth clean.

Regular professional cleanings: As always, it’s best to visit your dentist regularly to verify everything in your mouth is in order and your oral hygiene routine is effective. Twice a year is sufficient, unless the dentist recommends more frequent visits.

It's vital to keep your teeth and gums clean during your braces treatment, and that requires your care and attention. If feel like you need help with any of the techniques above, our team can demonstrate them for you!

Playing sports? We always recommend always wearing a protective mouthguard to participate in most physical sports. We especially encourage this if you have BRIUS or if you have braces that can potentially cut your mouth or cause damage to your teeth. You have various choices to consider when you’re looking for a protective mouthguard.

One option is a full facial guard, which is often used for contact sports, such as football or hockey. This type offers full protection of the face from external impact. You should also consider an additional mouthguard to protect yourself from cuts inside your mouth, and avoid possible damage to your braces or BRIUS.

Boil-and-bites are another version of mouthguard that can be used for more physical sports. This type is used just the way its name implies: You warm the mouthguard in water to soften the material, then bite down gently once it’s at the correct temperature to form it into the shape of your mouth. These are fine to use temporarily, but they don’t always provide the best protection if they don’t fit properly.

Another option is to have Dr. Sagafi make a custom mouthguard for you. The mouthguard will be designed with built-in layers to protect both your teeth and braces/BRIUS when it’s worn. Having our office create a custom-fitted mouthguard will ensure optimal protection and a comfortable fit whenever you participate in physical activities.

Protecting your teeth and braces (or BRIUS) is essential when you compete in sports. Accidents happen, and having a preventive mouthguard can potentially save you from oral pain and damaged braces/BRIUS. Our Washington D.C. office is happy to assist you in creating a custom-made mouthguard for any sports activities you want to pursue.

If you’ve experienced a mouth injury that has caused damage to your braces or BRIUS, please contact us immediately so we can fix the problem right away. Remember, prevention is key when it comes to your oral health!