Hello,
I hope you are well and staying safe. This is just an update on the position at Castle Street Dental Practice, Roscrea.

The practice is closed at the moment in line with social distancing and all aerosol producing dental treatment (fillings, cleanings, drilling or spraying of teeth) in Ireland has stopped which in reality is almost all dental treatment.

So what services are available?
The practice is being manned so if you have any issues visit our website http://www.roscreadentist.ie. You will need to complete a form so be prepared for this. All forms received are reviewed between 1.00pm and 2.00pm every working day.

What I will be able to do for you:
I can give advice on any dental problem you have. I can arrange a prescription for antibiotics and temporary filling material. I will make a note of your problem and then we will be able to get you in for treatment as soon as the practice is able to open again.

If you have pain or swelling that can not be treated adequately with painkillers and/or antibiotics you will need to contact Dublin or Cork Dental Hospital. To access this service we have to first try advice, analgesics and antibiotics and if this does not work you can find the emergency details for the Dental Hospitals on their websites. It is likely that only urgent dental care that does not involve aerosol production will be available , so is basically an extraction only service.

At the moment there is no charge for any emergency help or advice.

Self help:

It is really important at the moment to try and avoid having any dental problems so the general advice on how to look after your teeth is particularly important at the moment and this is:

1, – Brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, taking particular care to clean around the gum margins.

Any areas that bleed are inflamed/infected probably because you have been missing that area. The area needs extra brushing.

2, – After you have brushed for two minutes spit out any toothpaste left but do not rinse. You want some fluoride to stay in your mouth as long as possible.

3, – Clean in between your teeth daily preferably with interdental brushes, if not floss. If you do not usually use interdental brushes your gums may bleed a lot but this will stop after effective cleaning for 2 weeks.

4, – Keep sugar to meal times only. This means no sweet drinks or snacks between meals.

Managing toothache:

Sensitivity to hot and cold is not treated with antibiotics as they do not work. You should apply toothpaste for sensitive teeth several times a day, keep the area clean as possible and reduce your sugar intake. Anti-inflammatory painkillers can help but these should not be taken if you have any symptoms of Covid 19 in which case paracetamol should be used. If the sensitivity is associated with a lost filling/hole you can try some temporary filling material available from the chemist to fill any hole. If the pain is unbearable than you will need to contact Cork or Dublin Dental Hospital to have the tooth extracted.

A tooth that is tender to touch and bite on probably is associated with infection. Please keep the area as clean as possible, use an antiseptic mouthwash or salty mouth wash to help and take painkillers to help control the pain. I usually recommend 400mg ibuprofen and 1g paracetamol 4 x daily for adults. Do not take ibuprofen if you have symptoms of Covid 19 and do not exceed the maximum dose. Please complete the screening form on http://www.roscreadentist.ie and I can arrange for you to be treated with antibiotics.

Managing wisdom tooth pain. This is usually due to inflammation of the gum over the erupting tooth, which can be worsened by trauma from biting. Most flare ups should settle in a few days and can be manged with good home care which is

1, – Excellent cleaning of the area even if sore.
2, – Corsodyl mouthwash but only to be used while there are symptoms.
3, – Soft diet.
4, – Painkillers.
5, – Warm salty mouthwashes.

Managing pain from ulcers. Mouth ulcers will usually heal in 7-10 days but things can be helped with
1, – Warm salty mouthwash.
2, – Excellent cleaning.
3, – Difflam mouthwash or spray is an antiseptic and analgesic and can help.
4, – Soft diet.
5, – Painkillers.
6, – Corsodyl mouthwash but only use while you have symptoms and not long term.