Tooth Extractions

Charcoal toothpaste (also called black toothpaste) has been marketed as a healthy, natural way to whiten your teeth—but does it really make good on that promise?

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Activated charcoal, which is one of the main ingredients in this kind of toothpaste, has long been used to bind toxins; in fact, that’s one of the ideas behind putting it in toothpaste—binding and pulling bacteria, tartar, and stains from your teeth. Charcoal dental care isn’t a new idea; Hippocrates of Ancient Greece believed it was an ideal treatment for black gums and bad breath, and it was advertised as a way to freshen your breath and remove tobacco stains in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Natural Isn’t Always Better

The first thing to know about whitening toothpaste is none of them actually whiten your teeth; all they do is remove stains. The second (and more important) thing to know about charcoal toothpaste is that it’s highly abrasive, so even if it does absorb harmful compounds on your teeth, it’s also scraping away at the surface of your teeth every time you brush. One study found that tooth surfaces became significantly rougher after only a month of using charcoal toothpaste compared to regular toothpaste.

If roughened tooth surfaces sound like bad news to you, you’re right! The roughened texture means enamel loss. Once enamel is gone, it can’t be replaced—even worse, it makes your teeth much more vulnerable to decay. Also, most brands of charcoal toothpaste don’t contain fluoride, which is essential for preventing cavities. Not to mention, charcoal dental products aren’t backed by the American Dental Association or the FDA. 

Although charcoal toothpaste can help get rid of surface stains, it’s probably best to avoid it altogether. 

For a Whiter Smile, Turn to the Experts

The most effective way to get a brighter, whiter smile is with professional teeth whitening at Enamel Dentistry. We use custom trays that protect your gums from sensitivity and harsh bleaching agents, and we can whiten your teeth by up to 5-10 shades in a single office visit. To learn more, contact Enamel Dentistry or talk to your dentist at your next appointment. 

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Post-Operative Dental Surgery Instructions

1. Things to expect following surgery:
2. >Bleeding: Bleeding or oozing for the first 12-24 hours is common. Mild to moderate bruising/discoloration can also be present.
3. >Swelling: Swelling may begin within the first 24 hours but should reach its maximum by 48-72hours. Swelling should diminish by the 5th day.
4. >Discomfort: Discomfort may begin as early as when the anesthetic wears off. Typically discomfort will increase as swelling increases, with peak levels occurring within the first 48hours and gradually tapering thereafter.
5. Things to do following surgery:
6. >Refrain from: Smoking, vaping, vigorous swishing, and drinking through a straw for a minimum of the first 72 hours. Ideally to prevent infections and delays in the healing process, this should be avoided until the tissue completely heals up or your dentist advises you otherwise. Please also refrain from disturbing any stitches that were placed.
7. >Bleeding:
8. >>Bite on gauze for 30 min - 1 hour with constant, firm pressure over the surgical site. If bleeding continues, replace gauze and continue to apply pressure until bleeding stops.Some oozing and discoloration of saliva is normal, so place an old towel on your pillow before going to sleep the first night. Keep head elevated.
9. >Swelling:
10. >>Apply an ice pack to the outside of the face over the surgical area--20 minutes on, 20minutes off. Repeat for the first 24 hours following surgery as needed.
11. >>After first day use warm, moist heat on face for swelling.
12. >Discomfort:
13. >>Take medications as directed for pain. See provided Pain Management sheet.
14. >Diet:
15. >>Avoid crunchy, crumbly, hot, or spicy foods for at least the first 72 hours following surgery or as directed by your dentist. Soup (room temperature or cold), oatmeal, milkshakes (without seeds), and mashed potatoes are all examples of acceptable soft foods. Do not skip meals as adequate nutrition is important for the healing process.
16. >>Diet can be supplemented with high protein or meal replacement shakes such asEnsure or Boost. Protein is an essential nutrient in the recovery process.
17. >Physical Activity:
18. >>Avoid heavy lifting, sports, or strenuous exercises for the first 5-7 days or as directed by your dentist. Walking is a great way to maintain physical activity while healing.
19. >Hygiene:
20. >>Do not brush teeth in area of surgery for the first 48 hours. Other areas of the mouth may be brushed paying special attention to avoid area of surgery.
21. >>Use warm salt water rinses (¼ teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of water) 3-5 times daily after meals for the first 2 days following surgery (very gentle swishing).
22. >>If periodontal surgery was completed, including crown lengthening, do not brush the site for the first week. Use Peridex mouth rinse twice daily, swishing for 30 seconds and spitting.
23. >Medication:
24. >>Take all medications as instructed. If antibiotics were prescribed, be sure to take ALLas directed.
25. Contact the office at (512) 717-5315 or seek emergency care if:
26. >Bleeding is excessive, swelling continues to enlarge after 72 hours, difficulty swallowing or breathing, temperature rises over 100°F.

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.