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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to expect pain-free dental treatment?

28 replies

Lightshines · 03/12/2014 22:34

Just that, really. Every time I visit the dentist, the procedures hurt.
Even that little air-blowy thing makes my teeth hurt.
Had to have a filling recently, had 2 injections but I still felt pain when the dentist was drilling and had to 'raise my hand' to ask her to stop.
Have been told I need a root canal treatment but am so reluctant based on my previous experiences.

I don't think I am a wimp. I rarely take painkillers for anything, so I wouldn't say I have an unusually low pain threshold.

But it occurred to me that maybe my expectations are unrealistic and I should expect there to be pain, to a lesser or greater extent, in the dentist's chair?

OP posts:

LilMissSunshine9 · 03/12/2014 23:10

well I had a root canal done recently - I fear pain so really scared but the only pain I felt was the injection for numbing stuff and the most painful was the injection into the roof of my mouth but once it was done I felt nothing during the treatment. Afterwards I took painkillers and felt nothing. Expect tooth to be sensitive though for a while though.

I took an anti-inflammatory tablets before I went and at least for two-three days after. Apparently this helps bring down any swelling and reduces pain.

I would find a new dentist if I were you.

NewNamePlease · 03/12/2014 23:19

Maybe not a wimp but... just very sensitive in the mouth region?

YABU though, medical procedures do hurt. Pain is good, it means you can feel stuff.

SoMuchForSubtlety · 03/12/2014 23:21

It shouldn't hurt that much. Your dentist isn't right for you. Negative emotions make the experience of pain worse. So do rubbish dentists.

MrsPiggie · 03/12/2014 23:26

Just how much does it hurt? I find having my teeth cleaned a bit painful, because they are quite sensitive, but dental treatment under local anaesthetic is pain free. Have you got too much resistance to anaesthetic and need a higher dose?

Bardette · 03/12/2014 23:32

It shouldn't hurt and it's been revolutionary to me to discover this! I need extra anaesthetic to make my mouth properly numb and treatment is so much easier when it is painless, my dentist even uses the numbing cream so the injections don't hurt.
If the air from the suction hurts they can use a smaller one, or cover exposed teeth. Get a dentist you can talk to.

MrHardy · 03/12/2014 23:37

It shouldn't be the worst pain ever but nothing will be completely painless. I had to have a tooth removed last year after an accident playing rugby and whilst I couldn't feel anything majorly, the pressure and sound of him yanking the tooth out definitely un-nerved me!

This week I had two new crowns on my teeth (another accident playing rugby - maybe it's a sign!) and that was uncomfortable, but then again you don't go to the dentist to be pampered, do you? :D

You might want to change dentist though if the pain is so bad.

JoffreyBaratheon · 03/12/2014 23:43

Shouldn't feel anything. I had a root canal several years back and felt nothing. The only distressing thing about it was having to keep my mouth open so long. And boredom.

If I were you I'd find a new dentist. I am really, really broke but the one luxury I held onto was Denplan so I can go private. As private dentists want to keep your custom. Never been hurt or even in discomfort at mine. Mine once told me it is very hard to OD anyone with their local anaesthetics - I always ask for a second injection if it is in a site in the mouth they want to give just one. If they have a good injection technique (and aren't rushed) they should be able to do most injections painlessly. I wouldn't settle for this. I'd find a new dentist and make sure they know that you may want more LA.

whois · 03/12/2014 23:48

I was like you OP, very sensitive, hate the air thing.

My current dentist is an absolute game changer. He believes in pain free dentistry and take lots of care over the injections and gives you shot loads of them!

Plus side I didn't even know when he was routing around my root canal.

Downside I feel very shaky and sick and funny for a but after all the local anaesthetic. Worth feeling a bit funny tho than dental treatment pain. Felt better after some chocolate (sounds stupid but it seemed to really help).

whois · 03/12/2014 23:50

my dentist even uses the numbing cream so the injections don't hurt

Mine too! And he does then in several depth stages stages, doesn't just shove the first one in really deep which was my previous experience.

OP seriously seriously it doesn't have to hurt.

Thisishowyoudisappear · 03/12/2014 23:51

Agree with Joffrey. Find a dentist you get on with and explain your worries.

I always need extra anaesthetic and I get on much better with the kind that doesn't contain adrenaline. Apparently this takes slightly longer to take effect. My dentist understands and always explains everything as she knows I'm interested in what's going on!

NewNamePlease · 03/12/2014 23:57

If you need the numbing cream then you are a wimp

elephantspoo · 03/12/2014 23:57

Have you tried sedation? Some dentists will provide intravenous sedation and have an anaesthetist monitor you during even routine works (special referral on the NHS), while others will have you attend your appointment with a companion an hour early and give you Tamazipan. Both work really well for those who have a major problem facing the pain and discomfort of treatment.

Bulbasaur · 04/12/2014 00:36

Find a new dentist. There's no reason it should hurt.

That said, teeth cleaning does hurt. I hate deep cleans.

checkeredpresent · 04/12/2014 03:24

I have always assumed it shouldn't hurt if you have the injection. I went for a filling once only to discover that it needed to be a root canal. I didn't have any time to get worried about it and it didn't hurt at all. He put a temporary filling in for a few days then I went back and he put the permanent filling in without an injection which was completely fine too.

My dentist is fab - he even has a new technique (sorry not very technical) - a contraption which vibrates and numbs the tooth so you don't even need an injection and there is no numbness around the mouth afterwards. DD had an extraction with that - all done in 5 minutes and no pain at all. It is a private dentist but so worth the money.

sunflower49 · 04/12/2014 03:52

I have a high pain threshold generally.

My moth is very sensitive. I go to a pain free dentist, a long way from where I live but SO worth it. See if you can find one in your area. I think he must use the same thing as what checkered mentions.

My attitude is I am in the first world, I should not have to have a needle jabbed into my sensitive gums unnecessarily. So, I don't. Find a new dentist.

sunflower49 · 04/12/2014 03:52

MOUTH not Moth. I don't have a Moth, let alone one that needs injections.

manchestermummy · 04/12/2014 06:30

I am sure I heard that some people do need more local, as I found aged 15 (and pretty much the last time I went to the dentist as a child) when I simply was not numb for a filling. The dentist refused to believe me despite my pain. When I next needed a filling 13 years later I told the dentist all of this and he did say that some people are desensitised to locals (something to do with low blood pressure? Mine is generally through the floor) and proceeded to give me three injections.

Find a new dentist. My experience at 15 - the pain and being called a liar - put me off for a long time.

MillionToOneChances · 04/12/2014 06:38

I have more pain from the air blower on nearby teeth that are very sensitive to hot and cold than from the needle. My dentist advises rubbing sensodyne toothpaste into them morning and night (using finger) for a few days before treatment. If only I could remember...

IndiansInTheLobby · 04/12/2014 06:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dibdobs · 04/12/2014 06:47

Glad ive seen this as my new dentist made me feel i was really silly i had a filling recently and tried to say the air sucker hurts me and she spoke to me like i was three and put it on my hand saying that doesnt hurt does it then in my mouth and even though i jumped a mile in the air she said that didnt hurt either! I ended up crying my eyes out shaking and my previous dentist had taken me seriously and not used the air sucker

Booboostoo · 04/12/2014 06:49

I am the same as you OP. I hate dental treatments and by far the worst is the air blower and the drill. The air really hurts some of my teeth and while the drill doesn't hurt as such it, it feels horrible. I am currently stuck with annoying attachments from orthodontic treatment but the only way to get them off is the drill so they are staying!

welshpixie · 04/12/2014 07:08

Getting a good dentist is the most important thing. Last year I had to have an awful lot of work done, partly my fault and partly poor dentists in the past. My new one was wonderful, she explained what she was going to do, which is what I needed and then came in with the phrase, "I don't do pain". On one occasion I was in the chair for 2 hours, obviously the anesthetic was wearing off, no problem, top it up. The only thing is I am in Germany and I don't know what LA they use but I am high as a kite after.

Mrsmorton · 04/12/2014 07:10

There's always a way to make it pain free but the nhs doesn't provide well for this.

Hyper mobility can make it more difficult btw. Any experience of this?

SelfconfessedSpoonyFucker · 04/12/2014 07:10

Don't suppose you have red hair do you?

Original poster

Lightshines · 04/12/2014 16:43

Sorry for delay - I am encouraged by all of your suggestions that it should be possible for me to have pain-free treatment.
Will also try the Sensodyne trick.
I am not red-headed, but I am nervous.
I think I might make an appointment to see the dentist just to talk (!) so I am not so wound up. I might even get a 2nd opinion from another dentist as well.

OP posts:

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