Regular brushing of your teeth and gums removes the food debris which causes disease and helps to protect you from subsequent problems. Here are some important tips to help you maintain your dental health in these difficult times.

General guidance

• Brush all surfaces, including the biting surface, at least twice a day
• Use gentle, circular, motions
• Always brush from the gums to the teeth - this is kinder to your gums
• Use a toothpaste with fluoride and only put a pea-sized drop on your brush and spit out into the basin after you are finished. Do not swallow the liquid

Care of your toothbrush

• Rinse after use with hot water to remove any retained debris
• Renew your brush when the bristles are worn but at least every three months

Other guidance:

• Floss twice daily - it's the only way to remove debris (plaque) from between the teeth
• Limit acidic drinks, including soft drinks, cordials and fruit juices, because of their acidic content
• Drink water instead of acidic drinks - it's more refreshing and healthy!
• Use of a special tooth whitening toothpaste is not necessary and, generally, they are not very effective
• Value your teeth and protect them from injury  

If you follow this guidance you are killing and removing the bacteria, which cause staining, tooth decay and gum disease.

If you are having mild pain:

•  Relieve this with paracetamol tablets, (500mg) if you have used these previously and have had no problems with them.
• Please follow the instructions on the label and do not exceed the recommended dose.

If you are having sensitivity to hot or cold:

• Use an appropriate toothpaste, such as Sensodyne, which can be very effective
• Clove oil, which can be bought at your chemist, and applied with a cotton bud to a sensitive tooth area, can help
• Saltwater rinse—dissolve a small amount of salt in a glass of water and rinse around your mouth for half a minute, twice daily, helps and reduces the amount of bacteria in your mouth,

If you are experiencing more severe pain - please contact us.

After discussion with you on the telephone, we can prescribe antibiotics if you have any infection, related to your mouth. This can reduce symptoms and relieve pain in the short term until we open.

We will advise and help you if you have any further problems.

Please remember that we are here every day to advise and to look after you as best we can during this difficult time.