Frequently Asked Dental Questions
The severity of toothache can range from chronic and mild to sharp and excruciating. Pain may be aggravated by chewing or by changes in temperature.
If you are experience toothache, try some pain relief (Ibuprofen is normally best), and contact the Practice as soon as possible.
Do not take these if you have asthma and always read the label for contraindications! (check with the pharmacist before purchase)
Paracetamol is also fairly good for dental pain. Some people have reported that Paracetamol with Codeine has worked for them when other pain medications haven’t. However, dental pain often comes from inflammation and pressure on various tissues and nerves of the face. NSAIDs can be better for dental pain because they are both pain relievers and good anti-inflammatories. It can be very dangerous to take too much paracetamol.
Note: Never put any painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gums and tissues
For contraindications, side-effects and maximum doses, always read the label!
If you have any discomfort, please contact the practice as soon as reasonably possible during practice hours, if out of hours contact the emergency helpline following the steps above.
You may need antibiotics to prevent the infection from getting worse and spreading. Antibiotics kill the bacteria that are causing the swelling, tissue damage and infection and therefore help to relieve pain as well. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, please call us so we can manage your condition accordingly.
What to do:
Your dentist or oral surgeon will use a gauze pad over the wound to cut down on the amount of bleeding while the blood clots. This gauze pad should be left in place for an hour no matter how soggy it becomes. Keep firm and constant pressure on the gauze pad by closing your teeth firmly on the pad. If you are still bleeding after 1 hour, put a new gauze pad on the area and continue to put firm and constant pressure on the pad for another hour. Rest and keep your head raised. Rest slows down the circulation (flow) of blood. This helps stop the bleeding and helps you to heal faster. Brush and floss your teeth as usual, but stay away from the wound and use only a little bit of water. If you are still bleeding and it has been 4 hours or longer since your surgery, call your dentist.
A full day after surgery, rinse your mouth gently with warm water. Your dentist or oral surgeon may suggest that you add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water each time you rinse. Rinse 4 or 5 times a day, for 3 or 4 days.
What NOT to do:
- Do not rinse your mouth within the first 24 hours, even if the bleeding and oozing leave a bad taste in your mouth.
- Do not chew on the gauze pad or suck on the wound.
- Do not strain yourself for 2 full days after your surgery.
- Avoid hot liquids like coffee and tea. If you eat soup, let it cool first. Hot liquids increase the flow of blood and your wound can start to bleed again.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco for the first 2 weeks after surgery. They make it harder for the blood to clot and easier for an infection to start. Alcohol and tobacco will also delay healing.
Other Non-Urgent Dental Problems
If you experience the loss of a crown or bridge, after normal surgery times and the tooth is causing pain, call the out of hours emergency number as soon as possible to get advice.
If the tooth is sensitive and you can’t get to us straight away, we would not recommend the placement of a self DIY repair kit as this could harm the structure of the tooth and underlying problems may not be addressed as they should. If you are experiencing pain, please contact the practice at your earliest convenience.
This is a temporary problem that can be dealt with by using mouthwashes and special cleaning methods and possibly antibiotics. Corsdyl Mouthwash is often effective but do not use for more than 2 weeks. If the problem keeps coming back frequently, it may be better to have the tooth removed. If your pain is severe and you require an emergency appointment, please contact us to arrange a visit
Do not take these if you have asthma and always read the label for contraindications! (check with the pharmacist before purchase)
Paracetamol is also fairly good for dental pain. Some people have reported that Paracetamol with Codeine has worked for them when other pain medications haven’t. However, dental pain often comes from inflammation and pressure on various tissues and nerves of the face. NSAIDs can be better for dental pain because they are both pain relievers and good anti-inflammatories. It can be very dangerous to take too much paracetamol.
Note: Never put any painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gums and tissues. For contraindications, side-effects and maximum doses, always read the label!
If you have any discomfort, please contact the practice as soon as reasonably possible during practice hours, if out of hours contact the emergency helpline following the steps above.
Patients who are not members, will be charged for treatment provided for a emergency appointment during normal surgery hours.
Unregistered patients may be seen subject to availability of appointments with a charge of £50, if further treatment is carried out it will be charged at the Fee Per Item rate.
Out of Hours service – There is no charge for members and £150 call out fee to non-members.
Any treatment provided within our out of hours will be EMERGENCY treatment only and you may be required to attend in normal hours for the provision of any definitive treatment.
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