Managing dental problems at home during Covid-19

Call Diamond Dental Care & Implant Centre for advice or book a virtual consultation online if you have any of the following:

• Facial swelling
• Severe dental pain, which is not controlled with pain relief, preventing sleep/eating
• Significantly damaged front teeth due to trauma
• Broken teeth cutting into the tongue
• Medically compromised patients whose dental problem may worsen their medical problem.
• Ulcers which have been present for more 3 weeks or more

For pain relief, we advise paracetamol or Ibuprofen in the first instance unless this is not a suitable option for you.

All painkillers should be taken in accordance with instructions on the packet. Taking too many tablets WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR SYMPTOMS and can cause serious stomach and liver injury which can be life-threatening.

If the tooth is extremely sensitive to hot or cold. Please contact us as soon as possible or book a virtual consult.

If the pain is severe, rinsing with cold water can sometimes ease the pain whilst you are waiting to be assessed by a dentist.

Wisdom tooth pain is usually due to inflammation so introducing a soft food diet will help with the pain.

Rinsing with warm salty water or savacol from the pharmacy can also help with alleviating pain. 

If you have difficulty swallowing, swelling in your face or cheek or difficulty opening your mouth, please call us for advice. You may need antibiotics if an infection is spreading.

Although painful, most mouth ulcers will heal within 7-10 days. A dentist or doctor should assess non-healing ulcers/oral lesions present for more than 3 weeks. Please call us if you are concerned; otherwise, follow the home measures described below:

• Warm salty mouthwashes
• Excellent cleaning (even if it is painful to brush, the area must be kept clean to encourage healing and prevent more ulcers forming. However, be gentle and do use a soft/baby toothbrush)
• Difflam (Benzydamine) Spray or mouthwash as needed.
• Soft diet (soft food will reduce trauma form biting)
• Painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen following packets instructions)
• Rubbing Dentures (Denture adhesives like Poligrip or Fixodent may help secure a loose denture. Please call us if this doesn’t help for further advice)
• Savacol mouthwash (avoid use for more than 1 week as may cause staining)
   

Bleeding from gums is not usually a dental emergency. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes, paying particular attention to the areas that are bleeding. Remember to also use floss or interdental brushes to clean between your teeth every day.

If your gums are extremely painful please call us for further advice.

If a tooth has been chipped and is sensitive and/or sharp then call us for advice.

If a baby tooth has been knocked out, do not attempt to put it back in.

If an adult tooth has been knocked out-handle the tooth by its crown (the white part), avoid touching the root. If the tooth is dirty, wash it briefly (10 seconds) under cold running water. try to re-implant the tooth in its socket and then bite gently on a handkerchief to hold it in position. if this is not feasible, store the tooth for transportation in milk (not water).

You need to telephone for an emergency dental appointment immediately.

Most orthodontic appliances can be left for some months without detriment if you continue with the usual aftercare instructions.

If you are in pain please call us as soon as possible.

Existing orthodontic patients please call 07 5477 0889 to organise an online consultation rather than using the online booking 

FOR ALL ORTHODONTIC EMERGENCIES PLEASE GIVE US A CALL ON 07 5477 0889 FOR ADVICE

1. If a coloured elastic ring pops off or your elastic chain breaks don't stress. A tooth might move slightly or a tiny gap may open up but nothing significant. Dr Doug will be able to fix this within a few weeks once we reopen.

2. If a wire starts to dig in use orthodontic wax. Roll a small piece of wax into the shape of a ball and squeeze it a few times to soften it. Dry the offending area with a tissue or cotton ball, as the wax will not stick if the area is moist. Shape the wax over the irritating wire. If the wire is cutting your cheek or gum please call us as soon as possible on 07 5477 0889 for advice.

3. If food gets stuck between your brackets, use floss or piksters to gently remove it.

4. If a bracket (the metal or clear brace stuck to your tooth) comes off your tooth it will usually be still attached to the wire and just spins or moves around. If this happens, place some wax over the top of it to smooth it over. If the bracket is cutting your cheek or gum please call us as soon as possible on 07 5477 0889 for advice.

5. If you slightly crack your clear retainer (which was given to you after you got your braces off) keep wearing it! It's still working and holding the teeth in their corrected positions. We'll make you a new one when we get back!

6. If you've broken your retainer into pieces and you can no longer use it or you've distorted it and it no longer fits, consider buying a mouldable mouthguard from Rebel Sport/the chemist/or online to fit over your teeth and wear at night. Although not perfect this is better than nothing.

7. For Invisalign patients, if your current aligner is broken or ill-fitting, step back to your previous aligner.

8. Sometimes a spring which is being used to close a space may accidentally come off. If this happens please call us as soon as possible on 07 5477 0889 for advice.

For any orthodontic or other dental supplies such as elastics, Piksters, ortho wax or any other products we usually supply to you please call us on 07 5477 0889. We can organise to have these posted out or you can collect them from the practice by appointment.