The Buchan Braes Dental Clinic is now closed due to the country being in lock down related to the Coronavirus pandemic. We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone and that in this time dental problems are still going to occur. During the lock down phase no treatment will be carried out at the Buchan Braes Dental Clinic however we will still be able to remotely handle dental emergencies whether it will be referring to the Public Dental Service for urgent care or prescribing antimicrobials to treat infection avoiding face to face contact. Our dentists will be volunteering to be redeployed to work in the Urgent Public Dental Service clinics or elsewhere in the healthcare system to help out any way they can so please use this remote service responsibly. The only dental cases that can be seen face to face for the foreseeable future will be PAIN/SWELLING/TRAUMA that is not responding to home care advice or antimicrobials/antibiotics AT DESIGNATED URGENT CARE CLINICS. The Urgent dental service is extremely limited in the services they can offer at this time. We will outline some of the common dental problems that can occur and what we recommend you can do at home to stop the issue escalating further. Now more than ever we urge you to adopt a meticulous oral hygiene regime of brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily to try to minimise the risk of dental problems occurring.
TOOTHACHE
regular painkillers if needed
maintain good oral hygiene with a fluoride toothpaste and reduce sugar intake to help prevent decay from worsening
if after 48 hours of taking regular painkillers the pain is worsening please contact us on 01779 472701
BLEEDING AFTER EXTRACTION
Bite on a clean handkerchief for 30 minutes if this doesn’t work phone the clinic on 01779 472701
please note that pink saliva and a small bit of oozing is normal
BLEEDING GUMS
This is usually a result of gingivitis or gum disease. Bleeding gums will not stop until the oral hygiene improves. Brush your teeth and gums twice a day, spending extra time on the ones that bleed.
Invest in floss or tepe (interdental) brushes to clean in between the teeth also
DENTURES RUBBING OR LOOSE
Consider using a fixative to secure your denture such as “fixadent”
“seabond” pads may also make a denture more stable and comfortable
any sharp bits can be adjusted at home with an emery board
leave your denture out if it is too uncomfortable to wear
LOOSE CROWN /VENEER / POST CROWN
“Toofypegs” can be used to refix lost crowns / veneers / posts at home
Good oral hygiene and low sugar diet will help prevent the tooth underneath from becoming decayed
ULCERS
Ulcer ointment on the affected area, particularly before meal times
maintain good oral hygiene
regular painkillers if needed
rinse with salt/water to prevent infection
use “Difflam” mouthwash which can be bought at your pharmacist to help with the pain
PAIN AFTER EXTRACTION
regular painkillers can help as it is normal to have pain following an extraction which tends to be worst around days 3-4
rinse GENTLY with warm salt/water (a teaspoon of salt in a medium sized glass of boiled water left to cool down – never warm water from the tap) after mealtimes
if pain is getting worse after a week call us back on 01779 472701
SENSITIVITY
Sensitivity can be caused by receding gums, large fillings or decay, try leaving a sensitive toothpaste on the affected areas overnight
use regular painkillers if you need them
Maintain good oral hygiene and reduce sugar intake to prevent any decay from getting worse
LOST FILLING / BROKEN AND FRACTURED TEETH
Emergency dental kits can be bought to patch up your teeth at home
regular painkillers if needed
maintain good oral hygiene and limit sugar intake to help prevent decay from occurring or prevent existing decay becoming worse
SWELLING
if you have a swelling you can try and drain this at home
Take painkillers as needed
if swelling is draining hot salt/water mouthwash to keep the area clean after mealtimes
REGULAR PAINKILLERS
ADULTS (OVER 16)
PARACETAMOL 1g to be taken 4 times daily
IBUPROFEN 400mg to be taken 3 times daily (if you can take it and please note that there has been evidence that ibuprofen can make coronavirus worse so if you suspect that you have been exposed please do not take it. The same can be said for aspirin)
CO-CODAMOL 8/500 to be taken 4 times daily ON ITS OWN – NOT WITH PARACETAMOL OR IBUPROFEN
For Children’s dosages please check on the medication packages as these are age related. If you are unsure which medication to take or dosages please contact your pharmacist.
IF THE NATURE OF YOUR PROBLEM ESCALATES AND YOU FEEL THAT HOME MEASURES ARE NOT HELPING PLEASE CALL US ON 01779 472701.
THESE MEASURES AND RESTRICTIONS ARE TEMPORARY AND ONCE THE RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN LIFTED WE WILL BE ABLE TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE OCCURRED DURING THE LOCK DOWN PERIOD
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AT THIS DIFFICULT AND TRYING TIME
STAY HOME AND STAY SAFE
KIND REGARDS
Dr Mark Skinner, Dr Lorraine Bruce and Dr Emma Ford