Pain Management 101 in Colorado Springs
Oral Pain Overview
Oral pain can happen in a range of places in your mouth, including the gums, teeth, roots, the palate, jaw and tongue.
Cavities are a common cause of this pain, and untreated cavities can affect nerves due to tooth and gum infections. Impacted, abscessed teeth and sore jaws from teeth grinding are other common causes of pain. Other common causes of dental pain can be from; improper bite relationships, jaw disorders, and sleep disorders.
We offer Nitrous Oxide laughing gas for your comfort.
Effective Strategies for Managing Oral Pain
There are many methods for relieving oral pain, including:
- Ice packs on the affected area
- Avoiding hard candy or ice
- Avoiding sleeping on your stomach
- Dentists use a wide array of pain management tools, including:
- Anesthetics such as Lidocaine
- Analgesics such as aspirin or ibuprofen
- Sedatives, including a procedure known as “conscious sedation” or general sedation (also known as “deep sedation”)
Anesthesia Techniques for Pain-Free Dentistry
Dentistry has advanced to the point in which pain is almost a thing of the past. Powerful pain-killing medications known as anesthetics not only help a patient avoid discomfort during a procedure, but post-operatively as well. Some patients, especially children, may require higher doses of anesthetic than others.
To learn more about managing dental pain or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (719) 470-2522today!
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“BEST DENTIST AND STAFF IN THE SPRINGS!!! Dr. Hill is so kind, honest, professional and really he really cares about his patients... as do his awesome staff! I no longer fear to go to dental appointments because they make you feel so comfortable and welcomed! Highly recommend!! ”
- Kimberly -
“I haven't been here In a while due to work responsibilities but Dr. Hill has always been good to me and my husband. Always takes the time to make sure we are taken of. I will be returning after Thanksgiving for my cleaning. ”
- Sonia E. -
“This office, from the very first phone call to walking out the door of my first visit, has been amazing. The front desk ladies are so sweet. When I first walked in, Teaja was immediately very accommodating, helping me with my children throughout the visit, since my babysitter canceled last minute. The entire staff makes you feel like family, including ... ”
- Scott C. -
“Dr. Hill is the Best. Myself and family have been seeing Dr. Hill since 2004 and have never been disappointed with his work. His staff is equally best in their field whether it be the ladies that greet you at the front desk or the assistants that help Dr. Hill with your teeth. I recommend Dr. Hill for any Dentistry needs. ”
- Lynn O. -
“Favorite Dentist of all time. The staff is so friendly. Dr hill has fair prices and he's always willing to work with you. I've never liked going to the dentist but here I actually look forward to it because the team is friendly and professional. They accept Tricare insurance and they are willing to work with military families. ”
- Farrah H. -
“Dr. Hill is knowledgeable, patient, and kind. His prices are affordable. The girls in the office are awesome as well. I got a great cleaning and decided to make Dr. Hills office my regular dentist. ”
- Tabitha H.
Types of pain-killing medications include:
- Analgesics: These are also called pain relievers and include common non-narcotic medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Analgesics are usually used for mild cases of pain, and are usually prescribed after dental procedures, such as a root canal or tooth extraction.
- Anesthetics: Anesthetics can either be topically applied or injected. Dentists often apply topical anesthetics with a cotton swab to an area of the mouth where a procedure such as a restoration will be performed. This numbs the affected area. Topical anesthetics are used in many dental procedures such as tooth restoration. Topical anesthetics also are used to prepare an area for injection of an anesthetic. Novocaine and Lidocaine are the most common kind of injectable anesthetics.
- Sedatives: Laughing gas, also called nitrous oxide, is a type of sedative. Administering a sedative while the patient is alert and awake is known as conscious sedation. General anesthesia, or deep sedation, involves administering a medication that places a patient in a state of monitored and controlled unconsciousness.
Air Abrasion
Many people associate the high-pitched whirring of a dental drill with pain, in fact, just the sound alone can make many people wince. A relatively new technique called air abrasion uses powerful particles of aluminum oxide to remove debris and decay. The most exciting thing for patients is that air abrasion is painless and, in some cases, doesn’t require an anesthetic.
Air abrasion leaves behind a gritty feeling in your mouth, which is simply rinsed away almost instantaneously using a small suction device. Tiny cracks and imperfections on the teeth can be fixed using this procdeure.
Air abrasion can not be used for crowns and bridge procedures. However, it is often used for bonding procedures, and while restoring teeth through composite, or tooth-colored fillings.
Medications
Some dental procedures, such as tooth extractions and oral surgery, may call for our office to prescribe medications before or after a procedure. These medications are used to prevent or fight an infection, or to relieve any post-operative discomfort and pain.
For these reasons, it is extremely important that you share your entire medical history – including any medications you are currently taking – with our office. Some medications used in dentistry, and other medical practices, could interact with those medications in a detrimental way. In addition, if you have any allergic reactions to certain medications, it is important for our office to know beforehand.
Finally, if you are prescribed any medication by our office, follow the dosage instructions very carefully, and if instructed, finish your entire prescription even if you are no longer feeling pain.
Dial (719) 470-2522today for more information on pain management or to book an appointment.
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