CARE AT HOME

Tips to help you manage your dental problem until you can visit Melbourne Dental Practice in Derby

Unable To Get To The Dentist? Information For Managing Toothache At Home

Accessing Dental Care In Derby

Following guidance from NHS England and the Department of Health, dental practices have been advised to restart seeing all patients, and  also to implement a triage service during this Covid-19 pandemic. As well as reducing risk to staff and patients, this triaging will  prevent unnecessary travel to reduce virus transmission. This information aims to advise people in pain and support people managing minor symptoms at home. If you have any questions, please get in touch.


If you need to access emergency dental care:


  • Have you or anyone in your house been self isolating?
  • Do you have any symptoms of COVID-19?
  • 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.

Tooth-care And Managing Pain


If you are suffering from Urgent conditions like

  • Facial swelling which could be from a tooth problem
  • Bleeding following an extraction that does not stop after 20 minutes of solid pressure with a gauze/clean hankie.
  • Bleeding due to trauma
  • Tooth broken and causing pain, or tooth fallen out
  • Significant toothache preventing sleep, eating, associated with swelling, or fever that cannot be managed with painkillers.

Please call your dentist to get appropriate advice

You need to go straight to A and E if

  • Facial swelling affecting vision or breathing, preventing mouth opening more than 2 fingers wide
  • Trauma causing loss of consciousness, double vision or vomiting

If non urgent,  you may 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 and brackets

What Counts As A Dental Emergency?

Painkillers

Paracetamol is the best pain relief to be taken for dental pain. Any painkiller should be taken in accordance with instructions on the packet. Taking too many tablets, or taking medications incorrectly,  will not help your symptoms, and can cause serious stomach and liver injury which can be life threatening. 

Wisdom teeth

Wisdom tooth pain is usually due to inflammation of the gum over the erupting tooth, which can be worsened by trauma by biting. Most flare ups can be managed with good home care and should settle within a week. Mange with:

Cleaning: Even if sore, the area must be brushed to keep clean and encourage healing

Corsodyl mouthwash: Avoid using for more than one week as can cause staining

Soft diet: This will reduce trauma from biting

Pain killers: Paracetamol can be taken, following the packet instructions

Warm salty mouthwash: Try rinsing with warm salt water,few times through the day.


I f you have difficulty swallowing with swelling or difficulty opening your mouth, please call your dentist as you may need antibiotics.

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. Manage with:

Warm salty mouthwash

Cleaning: Even if sore the area must be brushed to keep clean and encourage healing. A soft toothbrush will be more efficient around the area.

Difflam (benzydamine spray or mouthwash): Use as needed

Soft diet: This will reduce trauma from biting

Painkillers: Paracetamol can be taken, following the packet instructions


Rubbing dentures

Denture adhesives like Fixodent may help secure a loose denture. Any sharp edges can be removed using an emery board. In case of sore spots on the gums,please remove dentures when possible. Corsodyl mouthwash will help with speedy recovery but should not be used for more than one week as it can cause staining.

Pain or bleeding after an extraction

Some degree of pain,discomfort and bleeding needs to be anticipated after a tooth extraction.Continue to take regular painkillers for several days after extraction. We cannot provide antibiotics for pain after extraction, unless an infection is present. 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. If you smoke or if you have rinsed 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 contact your dentist for advice. 

Orthodontics (Braces)



 General soreness: Your teeth may become sore after braces are first placed in your mouth and after adjustments. This discomfort is normal, and should subside completely within two to three days. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as paracetamol, will usually provide immediate relief.

Soreness related to Orthodontic Appliances: If a tie wire is irritating your mouth, cover it with wax or tuck it under the arch wire with a blunt object like a pencil eraser. A loose band or bracket can generally be left in place. A broken or poking archwire can often be bent in with a pencil eraser or cut with nail clippers. The British orthodontic Society website has some useful tips on managing broken braces https://www.bos.org.uk/


Bleeding gums

Bleeding from gums is not classed as a dental emergency. They are usually due to gum disease. Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes. Whilst brushing, please concentrate more on the areas that is bleeding.



If you have a dental emergency and would like to speak to a local dentist in Derby, contact Melbourne Dental Practice today.

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