Nitrous Sedation

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

You’ve probably heard it time and time again: brushing your teeth, flossing, and regular dental exams are important. While we can all appreciate having a beautiful smile, it’s often easy to overlook the health benefits of preventive dental care.

The health benefits of going to the dentist regularly go deeper than just making sure your teeth stay in good condition. We’re learning more all the time about how dental issues (like gum disease) can affect your overall health and lead to more serious health problems. That’s why regular dental visits and a  good oral hygiene routine at home are so very important!

Six-Month Check-Ups Are Essential

Six-month check-ups give your dentist a chance to keep an eye on your gum and teeth health, which allows any developing issues to be caught early on. A small cavity is easy to fix but if it’s not addressed for many years, it can develop into severe tooth decay or even lead to infection. If a tooth is too badly infected, it may need extraction. It’s much easier to take care of a cavity as soon as it develops – and it can save you money in the long run if you don’t need more extensive procedures. We also do oral cancer screenings at every six-month check-up. Without regular dental appointments, oral cancer is very difficult to detect until it’s reached stage III or IV. By then, it’s already made its way through the body. 

Don’t Forget Teeth Cleaning, Fluoride Treatments, or Dental Sealants!

Regular cleanings are important because they remove tartar, plus any plaque that your toothbrush and floss might have missed. While your teeth are being cleaned, our hygienists can look for anything concerning, like cavities or signs of gingivitis (gum disease). Fluoride treatments are also helpful because they remineralize your teeth, which prevents soft spots in the enamel that can turn into cavities. Likewise, dental sealants protect your molars (which are particularly vulnerable to cavities) from things like bacteria, acids, and food particles. 

Keep Your Smile Strong and Healthy at Enamel Dentistry

At Enamel Dentistry, we want our patients to have a lifetime of strong, healthy smiles, which is why preventive dental care is at the heart of what we do. Our dental office serves all of Austin, providing complete dental care for children and adults. Contact us online or visit us at our South Lamar, Parmer Park, Lantana Place, Saltillo location. We also have a fifth location at the Domain opening soon! 

If your gums start bleeding while you’re flossing, should you keep flossing? Absolutely!

Bleeding while flossing is often a sign that you need to be flossing your gums more thoroughly or frequently—not that they should be left alone. It might sound counterintuitive, but the more you floss, the less your gums will bleed, unless the bleeding is related to physical damage to your gum tissue or a systemic issue. Many patients will stop flossing an area that bleeds, but the best thing to do is to give that area more attention!

Other Reasons Why Your Gums Might Bleed During Flossing

For most patients, simply flossing more often is enough to stop bleeding gums. However, there are several other reasons why your gums could bleed while flossing, including:

• You could be using poor flossing techniques
• You may not be brushing your gums properly while brushing your teeth
• You may have an accumulation of plaque and tartar on your teeth
• You may have had your teeth cleaned recently and had a lot of build-up removed
• You may have gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease

If the bleeding hasn’t gone away within 3-10 days, schedule an appointment to have your dentist check it out. We’ll evaluate your flossing technique and determine whether you may need a cleaning or periodontal care. Gingivitis and gum disease are both very common, but the good news is that they can be reversed in the early stages.

How Often Should You Floss Your Teeth?

Flossing is very important because it can get into areas that your toothbrush bristles can’t. No matter how well you brush your teeth, if you’re not flossing, you’re essentially only cleaning about 50% of your mouth. If you only floss occasionally, your gums will probably bleed because the tissue isn’t used to the stimulation; regular flossing helps the gum tissue become more resilient.

Although some patients floss after every meal, simply flossing once a day will do wonders for your oral health! The best time to floss is typically before you brush your teeth at the end of the day. This will allow the fluoride to make the most contact with your teeth. If you have questions about how to floss your teeth properly, we’d be happy to give you a demonstration!

The bottom line: your gums may bleed from time to time, and generally, it’s not serious. Start flossing more often, and it should go away. But if your gums bleed regularly, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist! Contact your closest Enamel location or book an appointment online.