It is important to remember to brush your teeth before breakfast and before bed. Use a small, medium texture bristle toothbrush placed on the margin of your teeth and gums and use a small vibrating movement to break up the bacteria and plaque.

Toothbrushes are not capable of reaching in-between teeth to remove unwanted debris. In total, brushing only cleans about 60% of our teeth. However, interdental cleaning with floss or brushes helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease, which can occur when food and plaque are left lodged between teeth.

If you have the space between your teeth, then opt for interdental brushes and always use the biggest size possible – you may need more than one brush size. If your teeth are tight together then dental floss is recommended. Try and do this once a day, preferably at night and in front of the mirror.

Do not forget your tongue! To avoid bad breath, clean your tongue once daily with your toothbrush or a tongue scrapper.

Mouthwash is not a replacement for brushing, but it can be a useful disinfectant, especially when there is a killer virus going around. Studies have shown that hydrogen peroxide mouthwashes have antiviral properties which could help to kill viruses such as Covid-19, which have been shown to live in the mouth and throat for approximately four days. Don’t worry if you can’t get hold of it though - a simple saltwater mouthwash is a good homemade alternative.

Clean removable dental appliances and dentures with cleansing tablets or solutions. Ensure that they are disinfected every day.

The stress during lockdown can sometimes lead to problems such as ulcers, dry mouth and jaw joint problems due to grinding of the teeth or gum diseases. If it is worrying you, do contact us. Most importantly, avoid stress.

HOW TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH

HOW TO FLOSS

HOW TO USE INTERDENTAL BRUSHES

Here are a few things you can try to help manage pain from teeth, gums, ulcers and/or broken teeth until you can see us:
‍

Pain from teeth (including wisdom teeth)

• Anti-inflammatory tablets (NSAIDs) can reduce the sensitivity. A combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol has been found to be beneficial if you can take them both. However, there are some reports that say Ibuprofen may increase the symptoms of COVID-19 so Paracetamol alone is probably best if you have symptoms. Make sure you don't exceed the recommended dosage.
  Tip: Don't stop taking the anti-inflammatory when the pain stops (or it will come back again)​.
• Desensitising toothpaste ​such as Sensodye repair and protect or Colgate sensitive pro relief can help.
• Anaesthetic gel such as Orajel applied to the area can help to numb the pain.
• Clove Oil can be found in health food stores and you can apply it onto the painful tooth with a cotton bud. This works well if there is an exposed nerve due to deep decay but for it to work, you need to place it onto the exposed nerve​.
• Keep your head elevated at night when you lie down to go to sleep, the blood pressure in the tooth can increase which increases pain. An extra pillow can help keep your head elevated when you sleep.
• Saltwater Rinses helps to reduce dental bacteria by creating an acidic environment as you swish it around your mouth. It can also help to dislodge bits of stuck food that may be causing pain, helping with managing tooth pain.
• Cold Compress can help reduce your swollen face caused by a tooth pain, and can also offer some temporary pain relief. It is especially effective when you have a chipped tooth or one that was knocked loose. However, if red gums and a fever accompany the pain, there may be an infection, and you should immediately call us.
  Tip: Never put heat externally on your face as this can draw the ​infection into the tissues in your face causing external swellings.
• Wisdom teeth pain can be extremely painful. As much as possible try to continue thorough cleaning (even if painful) with a small brush, like a single tuft brush, or interspace brush. Following brushing, dip a brush or cotton bud into some mouth wash and clean the tooth. You can use something like Chlorohexadine/Corsodyl/
  Curasept or Peroxyl, but make sure you only use for a maximum of three days as it can stain teeth brown.  Alongside this to help manage wisdom teeth pain, try to eat soft foods, rinse with saltwater throughout the day and you can also try over the counter painkillers like Paracetamol and Ibuprofen. If you develop a fever or have difficulty swallowing or swelling in your cheek, you may need antibiotics. Make sure you call us or NHS 111 if you are concerned. ‍

Pain from gums

If there is bacteria or food debris trapped between the gum and the tooth, this can cause pain. Clean the area thoroughly with floss or an interdental brush. You could put Corsodyl gel onto the brush to help clean the area.

Rinse thoroughly with Corsodyl or Chlorohexidine mouthwash can help (but these will stain your teeth so we don’t recommend this for long term use).

Pain from ulcers

Mouth ulcers can be a sign of underlying medical conditions such as iron deficiency so shouldn't be ignored. Any mouth ulcer which don’t heal in two weeks should be checked by a dentist.

To reduce the discomfort, you can try any anaesthetic gel such as Orajel, Bonjela or Anbesol. To help with healing of ulcers, you can try Gengigel which can be effective and also help to sooth the pain.

Pain from broken teeth

If a tooth or filling has chipped or cracked, this can cause sensitivity from the tooth being exposed or pain to your tongue from sharp edges. The sensitivity can be reduced by rubbing a de-sensitising toothpaste onto the tooth or placing temporary filling material (available over the counter from any pharmacy or online) over the broken corner until a more definitive filling can be placed.