Full Dentures

Pain Management Protocol

Start with:

• Ibuprofen 600mg or 800mg (Advil, Motrin) unless otherwise directed by your doctor or dentist
• Take every 8 hours
  
  *Over-the-counter Ibuprofen typically comes in 200mg tablets, so you can take 3-4 tablets to reach the recommended 600-800mg dosage. Do not exceed 3200mg daily.

If necessary add:

• Acetaminophen 500mg (Tylenol)
• Take every 6 hours
• Recommended to be taken 3 hours after dose of Ibuprofen, but can be taken at same time as Ibuprofen
  
  *Over-the-counter Acetaminophen typically comes in 375mg or 500mg tablets, so you can take the 1-2 tablets to reach the recommended 500mg dosage. Do not exceed 2000mg daily.

If discomfort persists, discontinue Acetaminophen 500mg and replace with:

• Norco 5/325mg OR Tylenol #3 (depending on what was prescribed to you)
• >Both listed medications contain Tylenol so please be aware of your total daily consumption (do not exceed 2000mg Tylenol a day).
• >Take 1 tablet every 6 hours as needed for additional pain control
• >Recommended to take 3 hours after dose of Ibuprofen, but can be taken at same time as Ibuprofen
• >Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking these medications as they can cause drowsiness
• >If pain is more prominent at night, save these medications for use closer to bedtime as tolerance can build quickly

If you have a persistent or severe toothache, this may indicate that you have an infected tooth. If this is the case, it’s critical to come in for an emergency appointment to get a root canal and restore your tooth. 

Enamel Dentistry offers emergency care and expert root canal therapy, and we want to make sure that our patients are informed about the signs and symptoms of infected teeth. Here are a few things to keep in mind about emergency dental care and root canal therapy in Austin:   

Emergency Dentists Are Fully Qualified To Perform Root Canals

If you’re wondering whether an emergency dentist can do a root canal, the answer is “yes!” All dentists are trained to provide root canal therapy during their time at dental school. Any qualified emergency dentist at Enamel Dentistry is fully capable of performing a root canal.

In fact, an emergency dentist is often the best choice for a root canal. Instead of waiting for an appointment with a specialized endodontist, you can get help immediately. The sooner you get a root canal, the more likely it is that you will be able to save your tooth. 

The Signs And Symptoms Of An Infected Tooth

Here are a few of the signs and symptoms of a tooth infection:

• A prolonged toothache that lasts several days and won’t go away
• Pain that radiates from the tooth to your jaw bone, neck or ear
• Discoloration of the affected tooth or nearby gums
• Swelling of the gums near the affected tooth
• Sensitivity to heat, cold and the pressure of biting or chewing
• Swelling in your cheek or face

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, your tooth may be infected. When you come in for emergency care, we will assess your smile and offer a diagnosis. If your tooth is infected, we will remove the source of your infection and save your tooth. During treatment, one of our dentists will open up the tooth, remove the decayed material from the inside, disinfect it, then fill and restore it to ensure that your tooth is protected from further decay and damage.

An Infected Tooth Is A Dental Emergency – Get Same-Day Care From Enamel Dentistry 

A tooth infection certainly qualifies as a dental emergency, and it’s important to get help as soon as you can to make sure you can save your damaged tooth. At Enamel Dentistry, we offer same-day emergency dentistry in our offices throughout Austin.

With same-day care, you can reduce your risk of further complications and get relief from the pain and discomfort of your infected tooth. If you need an emergency root canal, take a look at our locations and contact the Enamel Dentistry office nearest to you for a same-day emergency appointment.

How many times have you gone to the dentist and lied about how much you floss? It’s OK; you’re not alone! Many patients don’t really enjoy flossing. We have a theory that in part, it’s because flossing doesn’t have any noticeable direct benefit—unlike exercise, eating healthy, or even brushing your teeth. However, there are plenty of benefits to be had from regular flossing; the first is that patients who floss regularly have very few dental issues. Keep reading to find out more about flossing and why it’s so important to your oral health.

The Benefits of Flossing Regularly

• Teeth & Gum Health

Brushing your teeth is great for preventing tooth decay because it scrubs away food, plaque, and bacteria sitting on your teeth’s enamel. However, toothbrushes can only do so much; they can’t reach the tight spaces between your teeth and along the gum line—but floss can! Flossing daily helps your teeth and gums stay healthy and reduces your risk of developing cavities and gum disease.

• Fresher Breath

Brushing your teeth with minty-fresh toothpaste will help your breath—but only for so long if you have food and tarter between your teeth. Food trapped between your teeth can start to decay and cause a foul odor, but tartar is one of the main culprits of halitosis (aka chronic bad breath). Flossing removes food particles and plaque before it can become odor-causing tarter.

• Flossing Can Help Prevent Heart Disease

Studies have shown that patients with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have heart disease as those without gum disease. Why? When you have gingivitis or forms of gum disease, it allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream, where it can make its way to the heart. If you floss regularly, it helps protect your teeth, gums, AND your heart! What’s not to love?

• A Brighter, More Confident Smile

Plaque and tartar have a yellowy appearance, which can affect the overall appearance of your smile. Flossing regularly will help remove plaque, prevent tartar buildup, and remove food trapped between your teeth for a brighter, whiter smile you can flash with confidence.

What Happens if You Don’t Floss?

If you don’t floss, it allows plaque and bacteria to accumulate in your mouth. Bacteria can lead to cavities and tooth decay over time, but gingivitis (gum inflammation) can develop much more quickly.

If gingivitis gets worse, it can develop into periodontal disease, which causes bone loss and eventually tooth loss. Plaque that’s allowed to sit for too long becomes calcified and turns into tartar, which makes it more difficult for you to brush and floss thoroughly; even worse, tartar that sits above the gum line has bacteria in it that can irritate and damage your gums.

The bottom line is no matter how often you brush or how long you brush, there are areas around your teeth and gums that a toothbrush just can’t reach. Flossing helps you reach every nook and cranny, dislodging food, plaque, and bacteria that you wouldn’t be able to remove otherwise.

For the cleanest, healthiest smile, you should aim for flossing at least once a day. If your gums bleed while flossing, don’t worry! This is just a sign that you need to floss more frequently. The more you floss, the less your gums will bleed. We know it doesn’t feel like the most glamorous activity, but trust us—your teeth and gums will thank you!

If you have questions about your oral health or proper flossing technique, contact an Enamel Dentistry near you. Our team is always happy to help you find the best ways to care for your smile!