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Controlling Pain
| Many people are afraid of going to the dentist. They fear from pain. This is a meaningless fear. Anesthesia consisted of being hit on the head or choked until unconsciousness set in. Later, less violent methods included opium, belladonna and alcohol.
The effect of an anesthetic can vary widely from one person to the next, and your dentist can't always recognize when you are feeling discomfort. So be sure to let him or her know if the anesthetic doesn't seem to be doing its job.
Nowadays no one should expect to endure pain at the dentist. The number of sedatives and types of anesthesia now available provide more ways to experience pain-free dental treatment than ever before. Newer methods allow you to escape needles completely. Many dentists now offer other ways in addition to anesthetics to help you relax.
Usually your dentist will test the numbed area to make sure the anesthetic is working before beginning any treatment.
Sometimes your dentist needs to numb a part of your mouth. Dentist injects numbing drugs into your gum or inner cheek. This is called local anesthesia. Lidocaine is the most common local anesthetic that dentists use.
General anesthesia produces a controlled form of unconsciousness. While under general anesthesia, you can't respond to verbal commands or physical stimulation. Your body also loses its ability to keep your airway open for breathing, so a tube is placed in your trachea (windpipe) to help you breathe. General anesthesia is most commonly administered in a hospital, although it can be used in an office by an anesthesiologist (a physician who specializes in anesthesia), a nurse anesthetist or a dentist with advanced training in administering general anesthesia.
If you are nervous or fearful about dental treatment, sedation can help relax you also.
Talk to your dentist about your anxiety. That may be enough to relax you. If not, there are many antianxiety drugs that can be used during dental treatment. Your dentist can even give you one before your appointment, to use if you have trouble sleeping the night before.
Nitrous oxide is a common, inhaled antianxiety drug given just before treatment starts. Diazepam, given in pill form, and other similar drugs can be given 30 minutes to an hour before treatment or the preceding night. Diazepam and other oral sedatives do not provide pain relief. You also will receive an injection of a local anesthetic. Children often receive antihistamine-type sedatives, which can cause significant dry mouth. | | Send this story to a friend | Printer Friendly |
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