This is a new message for Fourways Dental Surgery as of 8th July.
The situation concerning dentistry is constantly changing. The information in this message will also change.
Currently, we are seeing patients who were in trouble during lockdown. Then those who were mid treatment.
We are contacting those people where at all possible by email to allocate appointments.
If you had or have a routine appointment, please do not attend. We will contact you as soon as we can to reallocate a time.
For any urgent care, please preferably email at reception@fourwaysdentalsurgery.co.uk or leave a voicemail message. These will be picked up between the hours of 9.00am and 11.00am.
We would urge you to refrain from all other enquiries for a few more weeks as we are very involved getting the practice operating again.
Please note we are still taking messages by email and phone to help assess your urgent dental needs as we have over the period of lockdown.
Best wishes
Hugh and Bridget Fletcher and team
Please see advice below:-
Taking care of your teeth.
We have a number of suggestions for the care of your teeth.
- Time is on your side so how about brushing for at least two minutes twice a day.
- Make the brushing systematic. Do not leave any teeth out, brush all surfaces including tops, inside and outside including the gum line. Time yourself – this is really important!
- Avoid the toffees and pork crackling – these are a major source of tooth breakages. Olive stones are another hazard.
- Avoid grazing food during the day. Keep food in takes to mealtimes. Ideally three times up to a maximum of five intakes a day. Keep the sugar levels low.
Tooth-Decay-Infographic-Download.jpg Sensitivity-Infographic-Download.jpg Healthy-Gums-Infographic-Download.jpg General-Infographic-Download.jpg Children-Infographic-Download.jpg
Accessing care.
- Following recent guidance from NHS England and the Department of Health, dental practices have been advised to STOP AEROSOL SPRAYS and PRIORITISE URGENT TREATMENT where possible.
- As well as reducing risk to staff and patients, this will also prevent unnecessary travel in an attempt to reduce virus transmission.This information aims to advise people in pain who still need to access care and also support people in managing minor symptoms at home.
If you need to access emergency care:
- Have you or anyone in your house been self isolating?
- Do you have any symptoms?
- High temperature or continuous cough?
If YES to any of the above, CALL 111. They will direct you to an emergency facility with appropriate protective equipment which will allow staff to treat you safely.
What counts as a dental emergency?
Urgent dental treatment:
- Facial swelling extending to eye or neck.
- Bleeding following an extraction that does not stop after 20 mins solid pressure with a gauze/clean hankie. A small amount of oozing is normal, just like if you had grazed your knee.
- Bleeding due to trauma.
- Tooth broken and causing pain, or tooth fallen out.
- Significant toothache preventing sleep, eating, associated with significant swelling, or fever that cannot be managed with painkillers.
Non-Urgent (may need to wait):
- Loose or lost crowns, bridges or veneers.
- Broken, rubbing or loose dentures.
- Bleeding gums.
- Broken, loose or lost fillings.
- Chipped teeth with no pain.
- Loose orthodontic wires.
Straight to A&E:
- Facial swelling affecting vision or breathing, preventing mouth opening more than 2 fingers width.
- Trauma causing loss of consciousness, double vision or vomiting.
Painkillers
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 COVID-19 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. (Updated: 20 March 2020)
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
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 any 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 (like sensodynerepair and protect) can help. Rub toothpaste directly on the affected area and do not rinse afterwards. Anaestheticgel such as Orajel can help ease pain.
Wisdom Teeth
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. If not please email us.
Excellent cleaning (even if it is painful to brush, the area must be kept clean to encourage healing)
Corsodyl mouthwash (avoid use for >1week as may cause staining)
Soft diet (soft food will reduce trauma from biting)
Warm salty mouthwash
Painkillers (ibuprofen or paracetamol following packet instructions)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.
Ulcers
Although painful, most ulcers will heal within 7-10 days. Non-healing ulcers/oral lesions present for more than 3 weeks should be assessed by a dentist or doctor.
Warm salty mouthwash
Excellent cleaning (even if it is painful to brush, the mouth must be kept clean to encourage healing and prevent more ulcers forming. Be gentle and use a soft/baby toothbrush).
Difflam(Benzydamine) spray or mouthwash as needed.
Soft diet (soft food will reduce trauma from biting)
Painkillers (ibuprofen or paracetamol following packet instructions)
Rubbing Dentures (Denture adhesives like fixodentmay help secure a loose denture. Any sharp edges can be removed using an emery board. Remove dentures when possible if causing trauma.)
Corsodyl mouthwash (avoid use for over 1 week as may cause staining)
Pain or bleeding after an extraction.
Continue to take regular painkillers for several days after extraction, it is normal for the pain to be at its worst at day 3-4.
We cannot provide antibiotics for pain after extractions unless infection is present. We also cannot prescribe antibiotics over the phone without seeing you in person.
If you smoke or rinse too soon after an extraction, you risk a dry socket. This can be very painful and regular painkillers are unlikely to be effective. You should call your dentist for an emergency appointment. Antibiotics will not solve this, as a dressing is needed to cover the exposed bone.
Some pink spit/oozing is normal after an extraction, but if the socket is bleeding freely, bite hard on gauze or a clean hankie for 20 minutes. If bleeding has not stopped, call your dentist.
Bleeding Gums
Bleeding from gums is NOT a dental emergency. Bleeding gums are usually due to gum disease, and will not stop until brushing improves. Brush 2x a day with fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes, concentrating especially on the areas that are bleeding. Use floss or te-pebrushes to clean between your teeth every day.
Lost Crown
Please contact us by email or telephone.
01453 884634
