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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.

Cavities (also called tooth decay or caries) are permanently damaged areas on the surface of your teeth that eventually turn into holes. They’re one of the most common dental health issues in the world, and anyone who has teeth can get them—even very young children and infants. If cavities get large enough that they’re affecting the deeper layers of your teeth, they can cause infections, severe toothaches, and even tooth loss.

Regular brushing, flossing, and trips to the dentist are the best ways to prevent cavities from forming—but how do they form in the first place?

The Three Stages of Cavities

Cavities don’t just develop overnight; there’s a process that happens, and it begins with plaque.

Have you ever noticed a stick film coating your teeth, especially after eating sugary or starchy foods? This is dental plaque. Every time you eat, the bacteria in your mouth feed on the leftover food particles. Then, they secrete acids that turn into plaque. As plaque accumulates in your mouth, it traps acid, sugars, and bacteria up against your teeth; in turn, these start to erode away at the enamel and demineralize it.

After a while, small holes will start to develop in the enamel. This is the first stage of a cavity. Once the enamel is worn away, it makes it easy for bacteria and acid to reach the dentin, which is the next layer in your teeth. Unfortunately, dentin is much softer than enamel, and it doesn’t resist acid as well. At this stage, you may notice some sensitivity. As the cavity gets worse, the bacteria and acid continue to travel down to the next layer: the pulp.

The pulp is the inner part of your tooth that houses the nerves and blood vessels. As the bacteria and acids start to attack the pulp, it becomes inflamed and irritated. Since the pulp is trapped inside the tooth, it has nowhere to expand as it swells; this causes it to compress the tooth’s nerves—which can be very painful. If left untreated, deep cavities can lead to severe infections or tooth loss.

Factors that Can Increase the Risk of Cavities

There are several factors that can make your teeth more prone to cavities:

• Location. Cavities are more likely to affect the molars and premolars. This is because these teeth are harder to reach, and they have a lot of nooks and crannies to trap plaque.
• Certain foods and beverages cling to your teeth for longer, like dairy products, honey, cookies, hard candy, chips, and soda.
• Eating or drinking frequently gives the bacteria in your mouth a steady supply of food.
• Waiting too long to brush and floss after eating allows plaque to form and start attacking your teeth.
• Dry mouth caused by medications, medical treatments, or certain health conditions can increase the risk of cavities.
• Chronic heartburn (GERD) can cause stomach acid to wear away at your enamel

The thing to keep in mind with cavities is that they aren’t static—they grow and get bigger over time. If you don’t have any cavities yet, that’s great news! Make sure to keep up with your oral hygiene and dentist visits. If you do have cavities, it’s best to take care of them as early as possible to prevent them from getting worse. Schedule an appointment with Enamel Dentistry, and we’ll help you nip those cavities in the bud!

Enamel Dentistry is Growing!

We’re excited to announce our newest location in Lantana Place along with our brand new website! We want to make it as easy as possible to get quality dental care in Austin, so our convenient locations and our brand new website were built with your ease and comfort in mind. If you’re looking for a friendly, inviting dental office in Parmer Park, South Lamar, or Lantana Place, stop by Enamel Dentistry today!

WhatYouCanExpectfromEnamel Dentistry

Everyone on our team at Enamel Dentistry is dedicated to providing patients in Austin with an exceptional dental care experience. From the time you walk through the door at any of our locations, we’ll treat you with kindness and respect. Our communicative, approachable team is here to answer any questions you make have, and we love to chat with patients because we take a genuine interest in more than just your smile— we want to get to know all of our patients on a personal level. At Enamel Dentistry, you’ll always feel like a friend, whether you’re in the lobby or the operatory.

Our Services

We offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of every patient. From pediatric dentistry to cosmetic treatment, Enamel Dentistry provides quality dental care for every member of your family. Whether you need a small filling or restorative care the includes a root canal, implants, or other oral surgery, our experts can treat dental health issues whether they are minor or severe. Call us today to schedule your appointment for preventive, restorative, cosmetic, or emergency care.

New to Enamel Dentistry?

If it’s your first time visiting Enamel Dentistry, we offer an $88 New Patient Special to make sure you have everything you need to get started with us. Our special offer includes a comprehensive exam, professional cleaning, and x-rays. Book your first appointment to see what we’re all about! You can call us at (512) 717-5315 or stop by any of our three locations in Austin.