by LID Admin | Jun 4, 2013 | Dental Emergency, Dr Davies says...., General Dental Care
Pain Relief and Dental Treatment: Advice from Dr Davies With modern analgesia and new dental technologies, pain following dental procedures is largely a thing of the past. But some procedures are more complex than others and people have different tolerances to pain, so what should you do if you need pain relief? As any medication has side effects the fewer medications taken the better. Fortunately side effects are very rare with analgesics (pain killers) but nevertheless they do exist. The following protocol has proved to be extremely effective in controlling pain of a dental origin. Just remember though, if you are allergic to any of these medications do not take them. For mild pain Dr Davies recommends Ibuprofen ( for example Nurofen) 250 mg 1-2 tablets three times a day. Obviously you cannot take Ibuprofen if you are allergic to it. You should also avoid Ibuprofen if you have a gastric or duodenal ulcer. Substitute 1-2 250mg tablets of Paracetamol instead. If this does not provide relief you can take Ibuprofen 250 mg 1-2 tablets plus Paracetamol 250 mg (for example Panadol) 1-2 tablets three times a day. For more severe pain Dr Davies recommends Ibuprofen 250 mg 1-2 tablets plus 1 tablet of Paracetamol 500 mg + 30 mg Codeine (for example Panadeine Forte) three times a day. A word of warning, Panadeine contains codeine so do not take it if you are allergic to codeine. As Panadeine Forte is a prescription only medication, it will need to be prescribed for you by your dentist or doctor. Analgesics should only be taken when required. If there is no...
by LID Admin | May 20, 2013 | Dental Emergency, Emergency Appointments Christmas 2012
Dental Emergency Question What should I do in a dental emergency? Answer Toothache: Very persistent toothache is always a sign that you need to see a dentist as soon as practicable. In the meantime, you should try to obtain relief by rinsing the mouth with water and trying to clean out debris from any obvious cavities. Use dental floss to remove any food that might be trapped within the cavity (especially between the teeth). If swelling is present, place a cold compress to the outside of the cheek (DO NOT HEAT). Take pain relief if necessary, using pain medicines that you know you are safe with. Remember, no pain relief tablets will work directly on the tooth. They must be swallowed as directed. If placed on the tooth, they can cause more trouble (especially aspirin).Braces or retainers: If a wire is causing irritation, cover the end of the wire with a small cotton ball or a piece of gauze or soft wax. If a wire is embedded in the cheek, tongue or gum tissue, DO NOT attempt to remove it: Let the dentist do it. If there is a loose or broken appliance, GO TO THE ORTHODONTIST OR DENTIST. Knocked out tooth: If dirty, rinse tooth in milk holding it by the crown (not roots). If not available use water (few seconds only) or have patient suck it clean, then put the tooth back in the socket. If the tooth cannot be replanted, wrap in Glad Wrap or place it in milk or in the patient’s mouth inside the cheek. Go to a dentist within 30 minutes if you...
