Coronavirus FAQ

Why is the practice closed?

We made the difficult decision to close the practice following advice from our governing bodies and the NHS to cease all non-urgent treatment and not to carry out any procedures that could create aerosol.

Aerosol is the fine spray that is created by pretty much all the handpieces and scalers used in the practice.  This spray can linger in the air for a long time. This combined with the fact that we are dealing with the area of the body most likely to spread the virus – the mouth, makes dentistry very high risk to both patients and the dental team.

How long will you be closed?

The short answer is we don’t know.

We will be re-arranging all appointments that were booked in April then re-assess the situation taking into account the latest government and health body guidance. Rest assured the whole dental team is eager to get back to normal and welcome all our patients back to the practice.

 

How can I best look after my teeth during lockdown?

  • Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes each time, before bed and at one other time in the day
  • Use a fluoride toothpaste
  • Spit, don’t rinse after brushing, and use a mouthwash at a different time of day to make sure you’re getting double protection from the fluoride in both. Use an interdental aid between your teeth at least once a day- either floss or interdental brushes
  • Try to avoid snacking, although the fridge may be getting more visits as of late.
  • Avoid sugary foods between meals, and try to keep them as a treat after dinner.
  • Watch out for sugars hidden in food you may not suspect- for example, a can of tomato soup has over four spoons of sugar!
  • Look out for acids hidden in healthy foods – like fruit such as oranges, grapefruits, and spicy sauces
  • Drink plenty of water

What can I do if I have dental problems?

  • Toothache
  • Sensitive Teeth
  • Mouth Ulcers
  • Wisdom Tooth Pain
  • Lost Crown
  • Denture Problems
  • Broken Brace Wire
Toothache
  • Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
  • Use dental floss to remove any lodged food.
  • If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek.
  • If there is a hole in the tooth or it is cracked you can use a variety of over the counter temporary filling materials.
  • Use Ibuprofen or Paracetamol painkillers to control the pain if necessary.
Sensitive Teeth
  • Use a soft bristled toothbrush
  • Brush with sensitive toothpaste – you can also apply some toothpaste to the sensitive areas with your finger
  • Use a fluoridated mouthwash
Mouth Ulcers
  • Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
  • Stick to a soft diet and avoid spicy and acidic foods and drink.
  • Clean your teeth well but be gentle.
  • Use Difflam, available as a spray or mouthwash.
Wisdom Tooth Pain
  • Excellent cleaning in the area between the wisdom tooth and gum.
  • Bathe the area with hot salty water.
  • Stick to a soft diet.
  • Use either Corsodyl or Peroxyl mouthwash.
Lost Crown
  • If possible, slip the crown back over the tooth after coating the inner surface with an over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive.
  • Do not use superglue!
Denture Problems
  • Most denture issues will resolve if you leave out your dentures as much as possible.
  • Bathe irritated or swollen areas with warm salty water.
  • Stick to a soft diet.
  • Use denture adhesives to make your denture more stable.
Broken Brace Wire

Try using the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire into a more comfortable position. If you can’t reposition the wire, cover the end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball, or piece of gauze.

What is a dental emergency?

A dental emergency means:
– Unexplained facial swelling that is getting worse
– Sudden or excruciatingly painful toothache that prevents sleeping and eating, or combines with a fever
– A dental abscess that isn’t getting better
– Uncontrollable bleeding
– A fractured tooth with nerve exposure

What can I do if I have a dental emergency?

Call the practice on 01782 848708 as soon as you are aware of the problem, speak to one of the team or leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

If you have facial swelling that affects your vision or breathing, or prevents you from opening your mouth more than 2 finger widths; or you suffer trauma that causes concussion or loss of consciousness go straight to A&E.

Will I be able to get an appointment when you open again?

We will be notifying everyone of when we are open again on the practice Facebook page, and by calling you if you have an appointment booked in.

To ensure that patients will be able to get an appointment as needed, we will be keeping open spaces in the diary for urgent appointments and emergencies. Also we will be opening extra clinics for dentists and hygienists wherever possible to increase our capacity on our return.

 

Website created by Online Marketing Surgery 2016. Last updated December 2019.