COVID 19 Emergencies

8th June 2020

Dental Health Plan members click here for more information.

We are delighted that the government has allowed dental practices to reopen from the 8th June. We have not been given much notice that we can reopen and have a lot to do to make sure that Evolve is safe for you and the team. We are planning on starting to see patients from the 15th June as we anticipate we should be ready by then. We will be prioritising patients who contacted with problems during the lockdown and will then start to see more routine cases.

Please be aware that we will have to see far fewer patients to ensure that social distancing is maintained and we have time to carry out the additional cleaning procedures that will be required. We are doing our very best to make sure that we can see everyone as soon as possible but please bear with us as we learn our new normal. The whole team are very much looking forward to getting back to work and doing what we do best, looking after you and your smile.

If you have a dental emergency, please call the practice on 01275 842 550 between 8am and 2pm. Outside of this time, please email hell0@evolve-dentistry.co.uk.

If you are a current orthodontic patient of Evolve, you might find the information on the BOS website useful whilst the practice is closed due to COVID 19.

Below are some tips you may find helpful if you are experiencing a dental emergency. You may also find this document by Becky Davies, a dentist from The Wirral who has kindly written this advice.

Toothache

• Regular pain killers if you need them.
• Good oral hygiene with a fluoride toothpaste and reducing your intake of sugary foods will help ensure any decay won’t get worse.

Bleeding after extraction

• Bleeding tends to respond well to pressure. Bite on a clean hankerchief firmly for 30 minutes. If this doesn’t work, call us back.
• Pink saliva and a little oozing from the extraction site is normal, just like if you had skimmed your knee.

Bleeding gums

• This is usually the result of gingivitis or gum disease. Gums will not stop bleeding until your oral hygiene improves. Brush your teeth and gums twice a day, spending extra time on the ones that bleed.
• Invest in some TePe brushes or floss to clean in between your teeth.

Dentures rubbing or loose

• Consider using a fixative for loose dentures like fixadent.
• Seabond denture pads may also make a denture more comfortable or stable.
• Any sharp or rough bits can be adjusted at home with an emery board.
• Leave your denture out if it is too sore to wear.

Lost crown / veneer / post crown

• Toofypegs can be used to restick lost crowns and veneers at home.
• Good oral hygiene and a low sugar diet will help prevent the tooth underneath from getting decayed.

Ulcers

• Bonjela on the area that is painful before meals in particular.
• Maintain good oral hygiene.
• Take regular painkillers if needed.
• Rinse with saltwater to prevent infection.
• Use diffiam mouthwash to help with pain which can be bought from your pharmacist.

Pain after extraction

• Regular painkillers, it is normal for pain to be at it’s worse on days 3-4.
• Rinse gently with salt water (a teaspoon in a medium glass or warm water) after meals.
• If pain is getting worse after a week, call us back.

Sensitivity

• Teeth can be sensitive due to receeding gums, large fillings or decay.
• Try placing sensodyne toothpaste or another sensitive toothpaste on the sensitive areas and leaving it on overnight.
• Use regular painkillers if you need them.
• Maintain good oral hygiene and limit sugar in your diet to prevent any decay from getting worse.

Lost fillings / broken / fractured teeth

• Emergency dental kits can be bought to patch up the tooth at home.
• Take regular painkillers if you need them.
• Maintain good oral hygiene and a low sugar diet to prevent any decay from occurring or existing decay from getting worse.

Swelling

• If you have an abscess, you can try to drain it yourself at home.
• Take painkillers as needed.
• Hot salt water mouthwash if its draining.

Regular painkillers

Adults (over 16)

• Paracetamol 1g 4 times daily
• Ibuprofen – 400mg 3 times daily (if you can take it, there has been some research saying this can make coronavirus worse so if you suspect you may have been exposed, don’t take it. The same can be said for asprin)

NB: Paracetamol and Ibuprofen can be alternated for maximum pain effectiveness

• Co-codamol 8/500 4 times a day on its own not with paracetamol or ibuprofen

Children

• Age 12-15 – 750mg
• Age 10-12 – 500mg
• Age 8-9 – 375mg
• Age 6-7 – 250mg
• Age 4-5 – 240mg
• Age 2-3 – 180mg
• Age 6-23 months – 120mg
• 4 times a day

Take advice from your pharmacist over the phone if you are not sure what to take