Question:
I had some dental work done a couple of days ok. Basically a large filling
that needed taking out and replacing (although only got a temporary in
pending root canal work). The tooth is pain free now, what is hurting is
the place where the dentist did the injections. If I even touch the outside
of my face it is sore, if I smile it hurts, if I move my mouth too much it
hurts.
I've had this once before and it took a couple of weeks to settle. I am
back there before then and I don't want to have the pain, then more jabs and
more pain and so on til this gets fixed.
Is it me and my reaction? Or her injection technique? Should I mention it
to her when I next go? What do people think?
Answer:
If they have to inject you several times, that pain can keep on keeping on for
a couple weeks. I've had teeth worked on that felt great (the tooth) but the
injection sites killed me. I don't know if it's 'technique' or just they had
to poke you with needles so many times.
I had a dentist once who had a child's dentist there, also. He'd have the
child's dentist do the injections, and then leave so the other dentist could
work on the tooth. Children's dentist's just know better tricks on injections,
I've found.
Now the trick is to find that combo in one dental office.
Here (in the UK) I've not heard of specific children's dentists. You just
go to the same one as adults do. A dentist is a dentist is a dentist. My
old dentist used to put anaesthetic gel onto the gums first so the
injections weren't felt. Oh to have him back!
I've had the same problem regarding the the injection sites, especially since
they have to inject me in several areas to numb me up. By all means mention the
reaction you had to the dentist next time you go. I absolutely hate going to
the dentist but mainly because by the time the dentist is done I end up with a
major migraine.
My experience tells me that the soreness is directly proportional to how many
shots and how much fluid is injected. I've had problems with locals all my life.
Just last year, I discovered nitrous oxide. My insurance doesn't cover it, I
have to pay for it--but I'll never do any dental work requiring a local without
it.
Most of the time, I don't even feel the local being administered. I get Pena
Colada numbing gel first and I get plenty "high" on nitrous oxide. I have to
have a ride, because I get loopy. ;) I still get sore afterwards, but it is
much less, because I'm so relaxed when they give me the local. Instead of 2
weeks of pain, I have a few days of pain. (from the shots)
Another benefit for me is that my dentist now uses about half the novocaine he
used to, because he can administer it so much better with me totally relaxed.
