Dentist needed

My daughter works in dentistry, and has been told that even when lockdown is relaxed, as long as Coronavirus is around it will be antibiotics or extractions only. Not good for anyone. The risk is apparently too great.

Dentists have been told not to open apart from providing the 3As. Advice, analgesics and antibiotics.

I lost a large filling recently and when I rang my usual dentist I was told that if it wasn't causing me any pain, I could buy a temporary filling kit from larger chemists. I finally found one on line, but decided not to try it myself unless it became painful, as the cavity looked pretty grim and I didn't want to trap anything in there.

I find listerine original mouth rinse is better than corsodyl also,as the original, rather than mint variety,numbs things a bit.

The use of colgate Rapid relief& repair toothpaste or Rapid relief Extra toothpaste is very good,its helps with sensitivity like sensodyne,but its a bit cheaper, also helps repair in some cases,and my dentist said to rub a small pea sized amount on tooth too to help ease pain from a sensitive tooth,up to 3 times a day.keep using it regularly to brush teeth too though.it really helps.

Kittylester- no,i think its up to him,if he is a private dentist wether he opens or not? But as its emergencies only,i think he is being sensible.

Maybe they could give a different antibiotic Elizabeth1?? I was given a strong one id never heard of day before xmas eve,to take home "just in case" of my chest/cough getting worse by my gp. I took it at midnight as i felt so bad- and promptly got a bad reaction from it,it made me violently sick!- so then i got so ill with chest id to to go to urgent care at hosp on both xmas day then back on boxing day where they prescribed a different double antibio& antiviral that did not make me vomit.. Then at start of lockdown my wisdom tooth started playing up so dentist agreed to give me penecillin for it- i went to dentist,they unlocked door,& passed through gap the prescription in an envelope,wearing gloves& masks. I felt like i was diseased!

My dad used to put a drop of whisky on a cotton bud and put it directly on the tooth causing pain. I use clove essential oil. Both work for ordinary toothache but obviously not for more complicated dental problems.

My gums are receding with age and the same has happened but the regime I use for tooth care seems to work. Most of the sensitivity is at the sides so I try and chew at the front, I use organic cotton as floss and distilled water for a rinse. If I get a toothache proper, I get a very small piece of cotton wool and drop about 5 drops of Clove bud essential oil on and press it on the area. It's an old remedy and it works, numbs the area and so the pain too.

I don't like those temporary kits.

Don't British dentists wear masks while treating patients?

Here they have done so, since AIDS put in its appearance.

I do know that a surgical mask prevents the patient more than the dentist, but it must help to some extent.

Here too, hospital casualty departments have dentists on stand-by.

MayBe7O be careful when using corsodyl I was advised by a dentist to only use it for a short period of time as it will grey your teeth taking ages for them to be look white again. Best to use the daily corsodyl

I'm with Smile dental. They have sent me several messages telling me not to worry if I need urgent treatment because they will arrange it.

my dd is a dentist, one of the minority who can do sedations. No dental practice can be operational at the moment and emergency centres only started being operational a very short time ago. They are very few and far between, lucky to have one in a large county. Emergency treatment will mean tooth extraction rather than saving a tooth

There are not many nhs dentists as it is and they have been co-opted to work in the emergency centres, many have opted to do without pay rather than run the huge risk of working within aerosol accelerated virus. Several dentists are already leaving the profession, they feel very let down eg they only started getting ppe a couple of weeks ago. This situation will snowball

Don`t blame the dentists btw, they want to care for their patients. They can protect themselves with good ppe to some extent but can certainly not protect their patients because aerosol sends virus into all the airspace and onto surfaces

Even if my dd had the virus the surgery could not open because it would not be at all safe for patients and staff and no dentist wants to take the virus home to family

Unfortunately dental hygienists and dentists are amongst the riskiest occupations for catching the virus, and I guess it's also the safety of the staff, and as someone has said, deep cleaning after each patient to take into consideration, even if suitable PPE was available.

I don't think it would make any difference if a dentist had previously had Coronovirus. They may not retain immunity anyway.

I am on a wing and a prayer with deep fillings and crowns. It's like mediaeval times again where people are pulling their own teeth!

Sorry, first!

Our local councillor is well on the deck with every question I had about emergencies during the lockdown. As far as dental emergencies: if your dentist hasn't left a detailed message on his 'phone (which he should have!) your local hospital will tell you what to do. But try your councillor furst, it's his or her job to tell you this stuff.

Do try your own dentist first.
Ours has left several texts saying to call them if you need help & they will advise.

Nephew is a private dentist and he wishes he could get the virus, get it over with and go back to work. His company is currently doing a rota for emergencies.

Yes, the situation with Dentists is appalling considering they are a primary health care service IMHO. Let's face it, full on toothache is off the pain scale! I have a problem at the moment but have contained it with a good (bug killing!) mouth-wash. Also use Manuka Honey which I think helps too. I use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth also. Tried it all and it is containing things at the moment fortunately. I had two appts. with the Dentist and they texted me to say cancelled!
Health Warning: As an allergy person myself, polite reminder for you to check the things I have mentioned, mouthwash/manuka honey will suit you!

Lost a filling, called dentist was told they're only seeing clients in pain or losing blood. Got an emergency repair kit from boots & refilled it myself its works and seems OK.

This is going to sound ridiculous but I was getting lots of swollen gums and a lot of pain which resulted in me needing deep periodontal cleaning. Whilst I was waiting for my appointment the periodontist advised me to pop a tea bag in boiling water then squeeze out the water and wrap it around my gum & tooth for 20 minutes. You need a ramekin of small pot because it really makes you produce a lot of saliva. The end of the story is that it took the pain away and reduced the swelling and I had my treatment & all is well. I have passed this tip on to 2 friends who both had an abscess & they said it worked brilliantly. Its supposedly something to do with the tannins in the tea. Some days I had to do it 4 times a day sometimes twice. Two other points I had been given antibiotics so we knew there was no current infection & be careful because the tea bag can be very hot.

susie, if that is true he is breaking current regulations.

I broke a the back off my tooth and this has left a jagged edge/back of the existing filling which is causing pain in my tongue from rubbing. I am also having to use the temporary repair kit which I bought online. And which keeps falling out every time I chew on it! I would be happy to have the tooth out and a crown put in as I want to have all my metal filling removed any way, but when I will be able to do this I can't imagine!

I had to contact my dentist a fortnight ago after severe pain from an infection. I was triaged over the phone and told a prescription would be ready for me to collect. When I arrived, a nurse in full PPE was waiting at the door, she opened it a crack and asked my name, then went, found the prescription and holding it in a litter picker extended it out of the door for me to pick up. It was a bit scary at the time but I can laugh about it now and I do understand the necessity of it.

My Dentist has opened again for emergency's only