Controlling Dental Pain | Dental Treatment Guide

It is a well-known fact that many people around the world have a fear of visiting the dentist. As a consequence of this fear, a lot of people actually avoid their appointments, which can have a significant effect on their oral health. The reasons behind this fear can vary from person to person. Some behold dread surrounding potential injections that they will need. Others cannot bear the sound or appearance of the dentist's tools.

Dentists are aware that their practice is not always the most popular and that many of their patients are severely anxious prior to and during their treatment. In an attempt to overcome this some dentists allow you to listen to your personal stereo or even provide a film or television programme to watch to take your mind off the environment.

Even though many dentists can provide distracting techniques, many cannot eliminate the fear of pain installed in many patients by themselves. Instead, the dentist relies on the vast array of medication that has been developed over the years. These medications are often used to sedate the patient and numb the area. This is a great improvement from the beginnings of dentistry when no such drugs were used and instead a blow to the head physically knocked out the patient.

What can the dentist do to control potential pain?

These days, you should not walk into a dental clinic expected any pain thanks to the numerous pain control options available. Such options even contain those that require no needles for those who are scared of them and if needles are required, you can request an effective numbing gel.

There are many medications and techniques now used by dentists to minimise any pain. The knowledge of such methods can be a great way to ease a patient into feeling less anxious about attending their dental appointment.

There are a number of anaesthetics that can be administered so treatments cannot be felt. One example is a topical anaesthetic, which is applied to a specific area to numb it before the administration of a local anaesthetic. Alternatively, there may be an option of getting electronically delivered anaesthesia. This is a much more innovative method of anaesthesia where pads are positioned on the face and electric impulses are sent to numb the area concerned. This method is becoming more popular due to the level of control by the patient as they are able to have an input on how intense the impulses are. There is also the possibility of general anaesthetic being used, which causes the patient to fall asleep so they are not conscious through the treatment. This is, however, a more dangerous option due to the rapid blood pressure fall.

Your dentist may choose to put you under sedation if you are an anxious patient. This can be done intravenously, where the sedative is injected into your hand or arm. This type of sedation is often only used if you are extremely anxious or are having a large dental procedure. Alternatively, if your dentist requires you to be more relaxed, you may be given an oral sedative half an hour before your treatment. Oral sedatives act on your nervous system to make you feel more peaceful. Also, like oral sedative, laughing gas may be used to relax you. This is nitrous oxide, which is inhaled through a mask. It is a rather common practice in many dental clinics due to it short lasting effects once the gas has been switched off.