I am only in my mid-twenties but have a big problem with dental visits. My body has a super high tolerance to Novocaine, which has made all my dental appointments a bit of a nightmare. Is there any solution to this? Maybe a different type of numbing medication? My smile is important to me. I’ve only been able to tolerate so much dental work at a time because of the pain, but I’d like to be able to get it all done. My dentist is baffled so I am hoping maybe you have had a patient or two with this problem and have a solution.
Cathy
Dear Cathy,
I am glad you wrote. I have encountered this with patients and have a great solution for you. Believe it or not, the problem is not the numbing medication. Instead, it is because you are suffering from dental anxiety. This is not at all surprising given that you have had to endure so many painful appointments. I’m quite impressed that you keep going back. It is obvious you care about your dental health.
What you need to make the numbing medication work is a bit of medication to relax you before the Novocaine is administered. When someone has anxiety, it causes your metabolism to burn off the Novocain much quicker. You need a dentist who offers Nitrous Oxide. This is a simple gas that is provided to you through a nosepiece, as in the picture above. This medication is also known as laughing gas, not because it makes you laugh but because it gives a relaxed, floaty feeling. Because you are relaxed, you will find that the Novocaine is finally able to do its job.
Many patients have found this simple step has changed their life. They are finally able to catch up on all that work they’ve needed done but couldn’t tolerate.
This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.