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Writer's pictureDr Jennifer Collins

What to do if you need a dentist at Christmas!


Christmas is a most unfortunate time of year to need a dentist, with few dental practice staying open over the festive season. Because of the high consumption of sticky foods or acidic drinks, dental problems at Christmas are all too common!

Here's a guide from Dr Jennifer Collins in what do if you need a dentist and can't get to one.

Lost Crown

If your crown gets lose or falls out over Christmas, get to your local pharmacy and purchase "temporary filling/cement material". Dry the surface of your tooth as best you can (inhale deeply and place cotton buds adjacent to your tooth in the buccal sulcus) and recement your crown with the temporary material. It has a white chalky consistency and will do the job until you see you dentist.

Lost filling

The same applies if you break a tooth or lose a filling. Use your temporary filling material purchased in your chemist, dry your tooth and use your finer to place the white chalky material over your tooth. It does not matter if you do a "messy job". The idea is to protect the tooth, help make it less sensitive and soften sharp edges. Your dentist will easily be able to remove it when you see him or her after Christmas.

Toothache

There is almost nothing worse than a bad toothache. There are many household remedies which may help, clove oil dipped in cotton roll, placed next to a sore tooth helps. A cold pack near the tooth also may help. Over the counter analgesia, e.g. paracetamol or ibuprofen ( if you don't have a medical issue which contraindicate their use e.g. stomach ulcers or asthma) will reduce the pain and may help you through the night if you cannot sleep with it .

Abscess

If you have an abscess, or swelling, you may need to take antibiotics. Book into an emergency doctor (if you cannot reach your dentist), and start taking antibiotics immediately. You won’t be able to drink alcohol, but it will be worth it to be abscess free!


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