Scared Of Pain? Here's Why You Can Relax About Seeing A Dentist
Posted on: 28 November 2018
Being afraid of the dentist is a common problem that many people experience, typically due to a fear of pain. Allowing anyone to poke around in your mouth and potentially to perform major procedures can be anxiety-inducing, but you should trust in your dentist's ability to keep you comfortable. Here are a few of the reasons why you shouldn't worry about pain when you visit your dentist.
Sedation
One of the first things you can ask for is whether or not your dentist offers sedation. Sedation allows you to enter a sort of twilight sleep where you're aware of what's happening, but you feel at ease and calm. Sedation can help to reduce your anxiety or fear of pain, and it can help you to physically loosen up, reducing your risk of experiencing neck cramps or muscle stiffness after sitting in the dentist's chair.
Needle-Free Options
Chances are if you don't like pain, you're not too keen on Novocaine. While this pain relief method is one of the best ones that dentists have access to, it does require using a syringe. However, even if you don't want Novocaine, that doesn't mean your dentist is out of tools to do that for you.
Topical anesthetics can be used for pain free dentistry services. This is like a doctor-only strength of Orajel and other topical anesthetics. It numbs whatever it touches, allowing your dentist to provide a thorough cleaning and examination without pain. You can also ask about the possibility of nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas.
General Anesthesia
If necessary, your dentist can use general anesthesia to ensure that you remain pain-free. This type of anesthetic is typically given via an injection or IV. However, most dentists will put you under with gas or another anesthetic first so that you don't actually feel the needle going in. The needle will usually also be removed before you wake up, so if you're anxious about needles, you don't have to see or feel it at any time.
General anesthetic isn't used for standard dental procedures, but if you need something more serious like a root canal or tooth extraction, this is one of the possibilities available to you.
Dental pain doesn't have to be a part of your life. Take the best possible care of your teeth at home, and visit a pain-free dentist regularly to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy and painless.
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