EMERGENCY TOOTHACHE-PATIENT RECOMMENDATIONS
For pain we recommend taking 3 Tylenol & 3 Advil at the same time,
every 4 hours as needed for pain. These 2 pain relievers combined give the
effect of a prescription strength pain killer.
Please understand that dental infections are normally so painful that no
pain medication can eliminate the pain.
Pain medications usually are only able to take the edge off of the pain.
It usually takes three to four days for the pain to go away. If you still have
pain after four days we may need to switch antibiotics or re-evaluate your
problem for other possible causes of the pain.
If you are in pain and we have put you on antibiotics, the area may swell
and get worse until the antibiotics have reached a proper blood level. Follow
all of these instructions to the letter and you will get better much sooner.
When there is pain or swelling that usually means that there is infection.
The anesthetic we use is neutralized by the infection, which causes pain.
The first thing that must be done is to get rid of the infection is to use
antibiotics. Then dental work may be started to fix the problems when the
infection is gone without any pain or discomfort. For this reason we did
not begin work today to relieve the pain. We don't want to hurt you.
When taking CLEOCIN or CLINDAMYCIN you must take two ounces of yogurt,
buttermilk or cottage cheese or one acidophilus tablet every two hours to
prevent stomach problem. If you do experience stomach problems contact Dr.
Brooksby at 360-207-2133.
When taking antibiotics we recommended 4 glasses daily of Ensure or
Carnation Instant Breakfast, this allows the body to get all of the proper
nutrients to fight off the infection.
We also recommend no smoking or alcohol. This allows the body to heal faster.
Usually pain and swelling are indications of problems that can reoccur if
left untreated. Often these problems can be life threatening if they persist.
Our goal is to help you become pain free and to minimize additional problems.
Often we can save teeth that have broken down or become infected. Usually,
despite higher initial cost, the cost to preserve your teeth is usually less
than replacing them later.
