July 2013 Practice Newsletter

It was the hottest day of the year so far this week so the inevitable happened …. My aircon unit broke down.
Every Boxing Day my home central heating boiler breaks down. This just doesn’t happen to me. Oh no. It is so common that it has it’s own name. I believe the polite people call it Murphy’s Law although I have another name for it!

What can go wrong, does go wrong at the most inconvenient time and it’s the same with teeth. You can minimise your risk of problems by regular, routine examinations and hygiene visits. You can also help yourself by having a thorough home regime of brushing, flossing and rinsing but if the worse happens whilst you are away its good to have a few well packed essentials in your toiletries bag. 
Here are my suggestions:

1. take dental floss. Not only does it get out troublesome bits of food between teeth but I have also used it as a make shift clothes line and shoe laces
2. 
   Oil of cloves-also called tooth tincture. Can be found in pharmacies. A few drops of this on a cotton wool bud can help to ease painful toothache as a temporary measure.
3. Pharmacies also sell dental emergency kits which contain a temporary dressing for lost filling. Patients also report that sugar free chewing gum can also be helpful to plug a sharp tooth or hole.
4. a lost/ loose crown. This is tricky without a dentist but I have known patients to survive a few days using denture fixative to keep it steady. Most pharmacies and stores like Tescos or Superdrug stock this item.
5. Ulcers. Mouthrinses every hour of warm salty water
   or Boots do a in a pen form for precise application
6. Pain relief. Over the years I have found Ibuprofen or paracetomol to be the most effective for short term relief but however bad the pain PLEASE DO NOT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM DOSE.
7. Finally, don’t forget that if you are on our dental plan you can claim back most of the fees associated with seeing an emergency dentist anywhere in the world. Just keep your receipts and call in to the practice so Pat can send off your claim form.

This might be a good time to say that Stephen and I will be on holiday beginning 19th July for 2 weeks. As always there will be someone at the practice to take your calls and should you have an emergency whilst we are away, we can arrange a visit to a local dentist.

                        Happy Holidays

        Julie

 Don’t forget you can always access previous newsletters via our website

We hope you enjoy the newsletter
Until next time.       Remember to
     Floss, Brush & Smile!
     All at Rosehill  xx