How To Take The Pain Out Of Dental Visits
Trips to the dentist aren't always something to dread. Obviously, some people are just so terrified of the sound of a dentist drill that they start to perspire as soon as they hear it. But dentists have become more and more patient-friendly. That is, they are more focused on delivering pleasant and painless service to their customers. But whenever you are in the dentist chair, you need to make sure you speak up for yourself. Here are a few helpful tips that can help you communicate better with your dentist and ensure that your work is less painful and everything is done properly.
Listen to Your Mouth
First of all, only you know how your mouth feels. The dentist is going to try and do his or her best at preventing pain, but even the strongest numbing agents can be inadequate if a certain nerve is hit. If, while the dentist is doing work, you feel a sudden pain, the dentist will be able to tell by your physical reaction to it. But if you don't speak up and ask for more numbing agent, he or she might just continue to drill. If you let the dentist know when you are feeling pain, your visit is going to be much more worthwhile.
Some people think that they would rather just be brave and withstand a little bit of pain so they don't need to be numbed any further. This is not only foolish because you are putting yourself through unnecessary pain, but it is also ill advised when it comes to the long-term health of your mouth.
Pain during drilling could very well be the sign of rotting or decay in your tooth that needs to be fixed ASAP. For example, if a dentist is working on a large cavity, there is always a chance that it might need a root canal. If the decay in your tooth reaches the root, you will usually experience some intense pain, especially once the tooth is opened up and the root is reached by the drill.
But if you just try and brave this pain, which might be slightly numb by the dentist, he or she could just finish the filling and move on without realizing you need a root canal. So identifying your pain is helpful for the dentist when it comes to identifying where your tooth needs to be worked on and fixing serious decay. Your tooth is telling you that it hurts for a reason, so don't ignore it.
For more information, contact a clinic like Carolina Forest Family Dentistry.
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