Before your appointment

You may be asked to complete and return a new medical history form online

You will be contacted and asked a few questions to be screened for Covid-19

On the day of your appointment

Please ensure you have visited the lavatory, have hydrated & brushed your teeth prior to attending your appointment

Please attend your appointment alone

Please avoid bringing unnecessary items

Please arrive as close to your appointment time as possible, avoiding being early or late

Entering the dental practice

The practice door will be locked

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On arrival to the practice please ring the bell & a member of staff will grant you access

The member of staff will be wearing PPE, this will include a mask /visor/apron/gloves

Our reception staff will be seated behind a plastic screen for protective reasons

There should be no patients in the waiting room and you should be taken straight into the surgery

Distance markers will be clearly displayed on the floor to ensure safe distances are maintained

The dental surgery

Our staff members will be in extra PPE when you enter the surgery

The room is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between each patient

Patient Advice

Painkillers

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• Anti-inflammatories (like ibuprofen) can help reduce sensitivity from teeth. Combining paracetamol and ibuprofen has also been shown to be effective.

• There is currently no strong evidence that drugs like ibuprofen can make COVID19 worse.

• If you have no coronavirus symptoms carry on taking ibuprofen as normal.

• So until we have more information, take paracetamol to treat symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you paracetamol is not suitable for you.

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*Painkillers should always be taken in accordance with instructions on the packet. Taking too many tablets, or taking medications incorrectly will not improve your symptoms, and can cause serious stomach and liver injury which can be life threatening.

Toothache

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• If the tooth is extremely sensitive to hot or cold, antibiotics will not help. The decay must be removed and filled.

• These home measures may help make symptoms manageable until care can be accessed.

• Good cleaning with fluoride toothpaste and reducing sugar intake will help stop decay from getting worse.

• If there is a hole in the tooth, or a tooth has cracked and is now sensitive/sharp, a temporary filling can be packed into the space. (These are widely available from supermarkets and pharmacies)

• Desensitising/sensitive toothpaste can help. Rub toothpaste directly  on the affected area and do not rinse afterwards.

• Anaesthetic gel such as Orajel can help ease pain.

If there is a hole in the tooth or tooth/filling has cracked then:

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• A self made temorary filling can be packed into the space. Temporary filling kits are available from supermarkets and pharmacies

• Take painkillers

• Avoid very hot or cold food

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If there are sharp edges you may be able to cover it with sugar free gum, a bit of soft wax or cotton wool. It may feel very sharp at first but your tongue/cheek will usually settle within a few days

Crown/Cap out

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Clean the crown/cap and tooth. If the crown appear mostly hollow then it may be possible to re-cement it:

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• Check the crown/cap fits without cement and make sure the bite feels normal

• Use a dental cement or a denture fixative that you can buy from a pharmacy or supermarket

• DO NOT USE SUPERGLUE

• Practice placing the crown/cap a few times before using cement. Place the crown/cap and press firmly with your fingers and then bite firmly to make sure it is fully seated

• Remove the extra cement with floss or cotton bud

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*This is unlikely to work for veneers

Wisdom teeth

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• Wisdom tooth pain is usually due to inflammation of the gum over the erupting tooth, which can be worsened by trauma from biting.

• Most flare ups can be managed with good home care and should settle in a few days to a week:

• Excellent cleaning (even if it is painful to brush, the area must be kept clean to encourage healing)

• Corsodyl mouthwash (avoid use for >1 week as may cause staining)

• Warm salty water

• Soft diet (soft food will reduce trauma from biting)

• Painkillers (ibuprofen or paracetamol following packet instructions)

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*If you have difficulty swallowing, swelling in your face or cheek or difficulty opening your mouth, call your dentist. You may need antibiotics if the infection is spreading

Our Team

May L. Hendry

BDS MFGDP(UK)

Neil D. Thomson

BDS

Emma A. Inglis

BDS DPDS