I just made for first visit to the dentist in 15 years and the news is bad. I have to 4 extractions and many many fillings. Can anyone recommend some good ways to cope with the pain while i'm in the chair. I'm thinking something along the lines of CIA torture survival training!
2006-07-03 11:50:36 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
Don't worry about it. Dentistry has come a long way in 15 years!! If you are that worried about it (and to the point that you may cancel your appointments) ask your dentist for sedation. Our office generally uses Valium or Halcion. Maybe you'll get to the point where you trust them enough that you won't need to be medicated. I'm also interested in what kind of cleaning they said you needed. I'm thinking that after 15 years of not getting your teeth cleaned, you would need what's called Scaling and root planing. If they did suggest this, please follow up on it. Avoiding it could cause you to lose your teeth in the long run. We always say at our office, that you want to take care of the foundation before you buy a new roof. Good luck
2006-07-03 15:23:52 · answer #1 · answered by justine 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Modern dentistry is almost pain free. There is a small amount of discomfort from holding your mouth open, but you shouldn't feel anything while being worked on. Even the shot shouldn't hurt if done by a skilled dentist.
If you are anxious about pain, your dentist might prescribe a mild tranquilizer such as Halcion. You will be very relaxed and won't even remember much about the appointment. If you do get a medication such as this, be sure you have a ride home and don't make any plans for the rest of the day.
Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) can also relax you, but many dentists don't like to use it because A) it's expensive B) the mask gets in their way and C) there is always some N2O leaking out that they and their assistants inhale.
Now that you are getting all this work done, please don't wait so long to go back to the dentist. Regular dental visits would have likely prevented such a large amount of expensive dental work!
2006-07-03 11:56:05 · answer #2 · answered by emmalue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your dentist to give you a little laughing gas to help you relax, most of them will do it for you. If you have a good dentist you won't have any pain anyway. But I know it's a scary thing. Good luck!
2006-07-03 11:57:10 · answer #3 · answered by lala 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All the advice you've been given here is great. As for me, anything other than a small filling, you better be for knocking me out. Fear of the dentist is real and your not being silly if anyone is telling you that you are.
2006-07-03 12:15:05 · answer #4 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your Dentist. They have all sorts of new techniques these days. If you are unsure, talk to an oral surgeon about doing it while totally asleep.
2006-07-03 11:54:15 · answer #5 · answered by Marvinator 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋