3 Things Your Orthodontist Wants You to Know During This Time

At the start of 2020, you probably wouldn’t have thought twice about your upcoming visit to the orthodontist. Then, COVID-19 hit, and our world was immediately filled with social distancing guidelines, face coverings, and stay-at-home orders. While the transition out of quarantine has begun, many patients are still struggling with whether they should keep their upcoming appointment or cancel it altogether. If you have found yourself in a similar situation, read on for three things your orthodontist in Newark wants you to know.

Extensive Precautions Are Being Taken to Ensure Your Safety

Throughout this pandemic, your health has been, and will continue to be, a top priority for your dental team. Even pre-pandemic, they followed painstaking guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Today, they are taking those already extensive measures to the next level by:

• Implementing no-contact temperature checks for patients and staff alike.
• Introducing virtual waiting rooms that allow you to check-in from your phone and sit in your car until the team is ready.
• Applying sequenced patient scheduling, which allows the team to control foot traffic and ensure there is ample time for cleaning.
• Placing hospital-grade hand sanitizing stations strategically throughout their office.
• Employing significant cleaning measures (i.e., cleaning between each appointment, CDC-approved instrument sterilization, etc.).
• Using additional personal protective equipment (ex: front desk masks).

Dentists and Orthodontists Are Experts in Infection Control

Long before 2020, your dental team took extensive precautions to create a sterile environment that was free from cross-contamination. In fact, a large component of their training and education is based on that very topic! However, in light of the current pandemic, dentists, orthodontists, and their teams are undergoing additional staff training to enhance their knowledge and preparedness on ensuring optimal safety during COVID-19.

Neglecting Your Oral Health Can Lead to Serious Health Concerns

Following the stay-at-home orders and taking precautions to ensure your safety is important in limiting your exposure to the Coronavirus. However, postponing your bi-yearly visits can lead to a multitude of health concerns, including gum disease and severe tooth decay. In fact, untreated oral infections can make their way into your bloodstream and negatively impact your smile, your ability to chew, and even your heart health! Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that you prioritize your visits to your dentist and orthodontist, even during a pandemic.

Although you may initially struggle with the thought of visiting your dental team during COVID-19, your orthodontists want you to know that your safety and oral health are their top priority. Therefore, make sure to schedule an appointment to ensure your smile is in tip-top shape throughout 2020!

About the Practice

At Wigal Orthodontics, each member of the team is united by their mission to provide their patients with a healthy, beautiful, functional smile. With their talented staff at their side, Dr. Timothy G. Wigal and Dr. Jason Lawrence use their experience, skill, and passion for dentistry to offer everything from emergency orthodontics to braces in Newark. If you would like additional information on the extensive measures they are implementing to ensure their patients’ safety during COVID-19, please visit their website or give them a call at 740-397-2111.