During the current shutdown of dentistry in the UK we have been doing some research into emergency treatments and the dental kits that might cause more harm than good. These are our conclusions. 1. Dissolving a headache tablet in the mouth next to a toothache provides better pain relief. Avoid This may cause a chemical burn on the skin and lead to infection. Take headache tablets as directed on the packet, be particularly careful not to exceed the recommended dosage of paracetamol products. A thin smear of toothpaste onto the tooth before bed may also be a helpful option. 2. Temporary filling kits that are made from nylon beads Most people should avoid The first problem is that these emergency dental repair kits is that they recommend that the material is heated to 60 degrees C before inserting into the tooth. If the tooth is sensitive this might hurt. The second problem is that the set material is far too hard, once wedged into a tooth you may not be able to remove it. Another problem with the hardness is that if you put to much into the tooth, the excess may prevent closing your mouth without significant pain. The softer paste type kits maybe a better option because they wear down if you do not manage to achieve the perfect shape. The repair is only temporary and should be replaced by a dentist as soon as possible. 3. Hot water bottles for facial swelling. Avoid This may cause an infection to spread. It is better to get specific advice before treating. 4. Lemon juice for tooth whitening or stain removal Avoid Lemon juice is an acid that attacks the enamel. The small amount of lightening that is initially seen is due to the surface being damaged. It is quickly reversed as the damaged tooth wears away prematurely revealing more of the darker inner core of the tooth. The typical end result is sensitive, smaller darker teeth. 5. Clove oil Clove oil was a common component of many early dental cements and linings. It damages the nerve endings that transmit pain. It can work as a distraction irritant to the original pain but overall it doesn’t replace the need for prompt dental treatment.

Is it Safe?  The StJohns Dental Practice is open and safe. The StJohns Dental Practice will still be open during this second national lockdown. We’d like you to keep your appointments if you have one and want to reassure you that our practice is a safe place to be. We have excellent infection control procedures along with a robust triaging policy to ensure the safety of both patients and staff. Our dedicated team are very familiar with the infection control procedures being used to manage the virus as they are much the same as those that have been applied by our practice for many years. (Our team has been training in infection control procedures for decades). We have all the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and will continue to follow national guidelines and standards. During Lockdown 2 We can safely perform a full range of services and Public Health England and the British Dental Association recommend that you keep existing dental appointments. • Crowns & bridges • Invisalign & orthodontics • Dental implants • Fillings • Dental Hygienist Visits • Routine maintenance examinations It is also reassuring to know that Birmingham city centre has been a consistently lower risk than the suburbs according to data on the Public Health England website. https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map What next? If you are worried about your attendance, please contact us to discuss your concerns and we can always postpone your treatment till a later date. We continue to recommend that patients in the high-risk category for COVID-19 delay non-essential treatment until further guidance has been given by the relevant authorities. If you call to make an appointment, you will be asked some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again at your appointment. When you arrive: We advise that you wear a mask at all times while inside the dental practice and only remove your mask at the request of one of our team. Please do not arrive more than 5 minutes early for an appointment due to social distancing guidelines. Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment. As you enter the building you will need to use the alcohol disinfectant rub to disinfectant your hands. The treatment rooms will be prepared prior to your appointment with all surfaces disinfected after each patient. The air purification will continue to be used throughout the day in each surgery. We have sourced PPE and unlike the start of the Pandemic (March 2020 in the UK), there is no shortage. We can assure you that we will continue to maintain high standards of cross infection control. Stay safe and please contact us if you have any questions.