Fear of dentists is very common. Much of this is because a lot of people have sensitive gums and teeth, which can cause a lot of pain while in the dentist’s chair. The primary for this solution is a numbing agent to block feeling and pain before the procedure.
The problem with the numbing agent is that it simply doesn’t work for everyone. There might be a reason for that:
Why doesn’t numbing work for me? Numbing agents depend on the pH level of your tissue, which could be affected by a number of things. Commonly, agents are affected by hypersensitivity due to fear, an infection, or unusual anatomy.
Thankfully for you, numbing is not the only way to avoid pain.
Give it another shot. Keep in mind, if your dentist numbing doesn’t work the first time it could simply be a fluke. Schedule your next visit as you normally would and give it another chance. If you experience pain the second time, you may want to consider another option.
When all else fails, consider sedation dentistry. For patients who don’t experience relief from numbing agents, a great option is to ask your dentist about sedation dentistry. Not only does it prevent you from feeling pain during the procedure, it makes you are calm and at ease, allowing your dentist to complete the procedure efficiently.
What you definitely should NOT do: don’t avoid going to the dentist because you are afraid of pain. You’ll do more damage to your mouth in the long run which will lead to much more invasive, painful procedures than a routine cleaning. Talk to your dentist about your concerns; he or she will work closely with you to find the best option to meet your needs.
