is a numbing shot required for teeth cleaning?

Question

Is it required for normal cleaning?
Is it required for a little beyond normal cleaning?

I haven't been to the dentist for two years

Answer 1

A numbing shot is not required for anything... but are you tough enough to.. lets say get a tooth pulled without a shot? I don't need a shot for normal cleaning, but for most fillings and beyond I will have a shot.

Answer 2

Anesthetic isn't used during a typical cleaning, although some patients have "sensitive areas" that a topical anesthetic may be applied to desensitize the tissue. If by "a little beyond normal cleaning" you mean a "root planning," then yes, anesthetic is used and needed for this procedure, and this is usually done by quadrants or arches due to the later discomfort. Occasionally there are patients that do not want any type of anesthetic for any procedure. We have some that have crown prep's, finish root canals or small fillings completed without any anesthetic. I'm not saying this is common at all though. We will always advise you "when" a procedure can be preformed without any anesthetic as sometimes the injection site causes more soreness than the procedure will produce. We know which will be uncomfortable and which will be painful, so it's always best to take our advice on this one. I would just take your dentist advice as he knows if your procedure will be painful to you and is only looking out for your comfort. Hope I've been of some help with this and good luck!

Additional information: Two years is fine, you shouldn't be in any discomfort with a cleaning.

Answer 3

It's not required for a normal cleaning unless you're extremely sensitive. I don't know what you mean by a "little beyond normal cleaning". If you have heavy tartar build-up under the gum line and haven't had a professional cleaning in a while, you may suffer a little; talk to the dentist or hygienist about it before they start working on you. If you have need of what is called a "deep cleaning", that is a different matter; it will involve some form of anesthetic.

http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/health/deepteethclean.html
http://www.compbenefits.com/prod_serv/dental/dental_health_topics/deep_cleaning.html

Answer 4

Numbing shots are given to persons who are very sensitive to pain. Regular teeth cleaning doesn't normally require a numbing shot. If you did not need it when you last went for teeth cleaning, chances are you won't need it. Techniques have not changed that drastically since the last time you went, nor have they become more painful.

Answer 5

A shot to numb your gums during a normal cleaning is not required unless you have sensitive teeth/gums. Sometimes it is required for beyond normal cleaning depending on what you are having done. It all also depends on your threshold for pain.

Answer 6

Why haven't you been to the dentist in two years? You have missed at least 4 cleanings.

Answer 7

I've had my teeth cleaned every year for many years and I've never had a numbing shot. It's definitely not required.

Answer 8

NO, unless you haven't been in a long time...never. It is required for cavity fillings and stuff like that and it hurts. You be drooling, and my lip was hard and numb for 4-6 hours. I even took aspirin. I didn't want to talk...but hey, you hardly feel what's going on. Good LucK!

Answer 9

Dentists will try and get you to have the injection as it is slightly painful to have around the gum area cleaned. However it is not required in that you don't have too, in my experience the shot is more painful than the cleaning and you can feel it still anyway!

Answer 10

It is required for something they call Deep Cleaning