# Dental work: drug myself out or no? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 9, 2010, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192 "2010-09-09T15:54:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/21 "2010-09-10T04:46:35Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Oh yeah, people tell you that root canals are no big deal (and gum grafts are no big deal); in my experience, they’re no big deal FOR THEM. Even with the sedation (and they still freeze your mouth when you’re sedated), I still felt sharp pain with my root canal. My frigging nerves just won’t freeze. Have you had the experience of a local anesthetic being ineffective with multiple dentists? A lot depends on the their skill in targeting the injections. Also, they should ask you if you feel numb before starting. I don’t know if this has been your experience or not so I’m just throwing it out there. There’s no reason why a local shouldn’t work on you. [From SciAm.](http://From%20SciAm.) > [@](#): > > Local anesthetics, such as Novocain, block nerve transmission to pain centers in the central nervous system by binding to and inhibiting the function of an ion channel in the cell membrane of nerve cells known as the sodium channel. This action obstructs the movement of nerve impulses near the site of injection, but there are no changes in awareness and sense perception in other areas. I guess it’s possible that you have some alien (feline?) sodium channels, but otherwise, the nerves that sense pain should be down for the count. So while I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility that you have a less than ideal response to the agents they’re using, it wouldn’t be my first guess without ruling out more likely suspects. Of course it’s all irrelevant if you have found an approach that works for you. Is it much more costly to go the sedation route? I see that you’re in Canada so my guess would be that it’s covered by insurance and therefore not an issue. But if you happen to know, I would be interested. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/22 "2010-09-10T05:20:05Z")
I’ve had multiple needles from multiple dentists in my life; they varied from not too painful to I’m fairly sure they completely missed the nerves. I still have feeling in the tooth that had the root canal - maybe I just have more nerves than other people. 🙂 Sedation is much more expensive; we have dental insurance through my husband’s employment, but it doesn’t cover sedation at all. I’ll still do it because it’s worth it to me. Dental work shouldn’t be a torture session, and that’s what it’s always been for me. I’m 43, by the way, and started getting fillings in grade school (being basically un-frozen for all of them). I have crappy teeth, and need dental work done every goddamned year. ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/23 "2010-09-10T05:46:16Z")
OK, here’s what you need to do. Normally I don’t give unqualified advice, but this is one of those times. In Canada, you can get a preparation that has a 1.1% concentration of flouride. I know that because that’s where I order mine from. It’s call Prevident 5000+. They also make a gel which I think works better but I can’t get - even from overseas. So my comments are really about the gel but I think the toothpaste (the stuff I’ve referenced) should perform as well if used daily. This stuff has made the enamel on my teeth so hard that one dentist actually asked me what I was using. It has saved me from many cavities - at least that is my firm belief. Since you can get it OTC, it’s worth at least giving it a shot. The only thing to remember is DO NOT swallow any. Apparently some people swallow toothpaste. It probably won’t kill you, but I would do my best to avoid it. I know you don’t know me and you should be skeptical of anything I say, but at least check it out. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/24 "2010-09-10T18:22:39Z")
I’ve used Prevident in the past - didn’t make any difference in my teeth. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/25 "2010-09-10T19:02:56Z")
BTW, dentists use lidocaine now. They have not used Novocain in decades because many people were allergic to it. But so many people expect that they use Novocain many dentists use that term so people don’t get confused or nervous. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/26 "2010-09-10T19:18:52Z")
I took valium for the first time while getting laser eye surgery. It just made me feel calmer, no real grogginess or anything. When I had my wisdom teeth pulled, I went for the full, knock me the hell out, IV anesthesia and would do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/27 "2010-09-10T21:18:43Z")
Mike’s Hard Lemonade! Maybe add a splash of cranberry juice. Seriously, take the nitrous oxide. Me before my wisdom tooth yoinking + IV sedative + general anaesthesia = over before I could blink. It’s definitely worth it. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/28 "2010-09-10T23:10:13Z")
What is it about dentistry that causes so much anxiety–over other procedures? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/29 "2010-09-11T02:57:40Z")
Well, when you think of it, the procedures are still awfully barbaric. Calling it “torture” isn’t too big a stretch for people like me; I’m expected to just sit in the chair and let someone hurt me (and not grab either their tools or their genitals). Plus, it’s in your MOUTH! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/30 "2010-09-11T03:28:16Z")
Years ago I had a whole lot of work done in one go including breaking up the roots of a broken molar to dig them out of the gum (the tooth had broken off at the gum line). I had it done under some form of super valium administered by an anesthetist. It was interesting because I was not knocked out, could comply with requests, knew everything that was going on but just didn’t give a shit. I would lay there thinking, “oh he must be doing that to break the tooth,” without any anxiety at all. If they had asked could they saw my leg off i would have let them. I spent most of the time just listening to the three people chatting. When the doc stopped shooting me the juice I thought, “what went wrong? That was only about 20 minutes,” but it was actually 4 times that. I actually kind of enjoyed it. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/31 "2010-09-13T17:42:22Z")
I decided to go for it… about 2 minutes ago. I was wavering between not taking any, taking half a pill, and taking the whole thing. I started to think about lying in the chair with them putting needles in my mouth and that made the decision VERY easy. Wish me luck. I can’t wait until the whole thing is over & done! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/32 "2010-09-13T18:47:06Z")
Good luck! Honestly, I think it will go just fine - the valium will just mellow you out, not make you weird or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/33 "2010-09-13T18:56:36Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > My dentist’s office is very proud of the fact that they offer nitrous for free (I think he does a lot of oral surgery) but the two times I had it, it did diddly squat for me. They turned it up as high as they could and I got maybe slightly sleepy - but I’m always sleepy at 9 AM. > > I’d take the valium - there’s no guarantee the nitrous will work for you! There’s no guarantee on Valium, either. I got Ativan once before a dental appointment, and it didn’t do much for me. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/34 "2010-09-13T19:12:37Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > > [@ZipperJJ](#): > > > > My dentist’s office is very proud of the fact that they offer nitrous for free (I think he does a lot of oral surgery) but the two times I had it, it did diddly squat for me. They turned it up as high as they could and I got maybe slightly sleepy - but I’m always sleepy at 9 AM. > > > > I’d take the valium - there’s no guarantee the nitrous will work for you! > > There’s no guarantee on Valium, either. I got Ativan once before a dental appointment, and it didn’t do much for me. Well in that case, I volunteer to go up to Michigan and bash Athena about the head until she’s well passed out 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/35 "2010-09-13T19:28:26Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > > [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > > > There’s no guarantee on Valium, either. I got Ativan once before a dental appointment, and it didn’t do much for me. > > Well in that case, I volunteer to go up to Michigan and bash Athena about the head until she’s well passed out 🙂 C’mon up, I could have used you! All done. I’m slightly mellow from the Valium, but nothing more than that. I shoulda pushed for the nitrous, which I know works on me. I was FAR too aware of what was going on. Now the numbness is wearing off, so I’m going to go lay down and feel sorry for myself. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/36 "2010-09-13T20:13:43Z")
Eh, you’re in no state to cook for me. I shan’t be coming now. Glad it’s over for ya 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cuberdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@cuberdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuberdon)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/37 "2010-09-13T20:24:58Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > There’s no reason why a local shouldn’t work on you. For some people it isn’t the biochemical process, it’s getting the anesthesia to the nerve. My lower jaw is wired in a strange way, my Dentist injects a ton of medicine into my jaw, and still it’s only mildly numb. A similar topic was discussed back in March: > **[Misplaced Nerve. Huh!](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=557813)** > > I use sedation dentistry, (gas + Novocaine), because I’ve always had problems with dentists getting my mouth frozen. The Novocaine has rarely been 100% effective. And, it seems to me, anesthesia is one of the few things in life that you should be... ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/38 "2010-09-13T20:37:27Z")
> [@LouiseE](#): > > > [@dzero](#): > > > > There’s no reason why a local shouldn’t work on you. > > For some people it isn’t the biochemical process, it’s getting the anesthesia to the nerve. My lower jaw is wired in a strange way, my Dentist injects a ton of medicine into my jaw, and still it’s only mildly numb. > > A similar topic was discussed back in March: > > [Misplaced Nerve. Huh! - Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=557813) I have to see my own dentist in a few weeks. I’ll ask about that. I saw him for the first time about a month ago for a cracked filling. I didn’t even notice the injections and didn’t even feel numb afterwards. I’ll ask him about his technique and about any patients he has that seem to be immune to local anesthetic. It may mean resurrecting this thread, but since we don’t seem to have any DDS’s here, it should be worth it. ---
**Author:** ![cuberdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@cuberdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuberdon)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/39 "2010-09-13T22:15:56Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > I have to see my own dentist in a few weeks. I’ll ask about that. I saw him for the first time about a month ago for a cracked filling. I didn’t even notice the injections and didn’t even feel numb afterwards. I’ll ask him about his technique and about any patients he has that seem to be immune to local anesthetic. It may mean resurrecting this thread, but since we don’t seem to have any DDS’s here, it should be worth it. For what it’s worth, the following looks promising: [http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/difficulty\_numbing\_dentist.html](http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/difficulty_numbing_dentist.html) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192/40 "2010-09-13T23:40:43Z")
> [@LouiseE](#): > > > [@dzero](#): > > > > There’s no reason why a local shouldn’t work on you. > > For some people it isn’t the biochemical process, it’s getting the anesthesia to the nerve. My lower jaw is wired in a strange way, my Dentist injects a ton of medicine into my jaw, and still it’s only mildly numb. > > A similar topic was discussed back in March: > > [Misplaced Nerve. Huh! - Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=557813) The turning point for me was going to get a couple of fillings done with a new dentist (my old dentist had left town), and after I think it was six injections and I still wasn’t numb, I saw the fear in the dentist’s eyes, that he had no idea what to do next. That was it for me - sedation, here I come. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dental-work-drug-myself-out-or-no/553192.md?page=3)