Dental Anxiety

Local anesthetic stops nerves temporarily from feeling the area of the mouth.

Local anesthesia involves injecting a medication directly into the area that the dentist wishes to numb. A dentist can perform various procedures on the affected area after injecting the anesthetic. A dentist may use topical anesthetics to dull the pain of the needle before administering it. Patients rarely will a patient feel pain at the injection site from the pricking of the needle.

Lidocaine is the most commonly used anesthetic, but other medications can also be used. All dentists use this method to perform procedures that are painful otherwise, like fillings and extractions.

Local anesthesia ensures that the patient does not experience physical pain. This is important. Other factors can disturb patients such as the sound of cracking noises from the drill or the feeling of pressure. Many patients confuse the sensation of pressure with pain, or become very anxious because of the sounds associated with dental care. Many patients opt for other forms of sedation, in addition to local anesthesia.

Rarely, a nerve can become too inflamed and numb when the patient is suffering from a severe infection. In this case, patients must take antibiotics before their procedure.

When mixed with oxygen, nitrous oxide gas helps patients relax.

Inhaling nitrous oxide is a sedative. A small mask is placed over the nasal region. The gas is mixed with oxygen to help patients relax. Many patients feel less anxious after using "laughing gases". Some people report feeling light-headed, or that their arms or legs feel heavy.

You can drive home after stopping inhaling the gas. It can be beneficial for mild anxiety, and help patients relax. The effects are similar to those of drinking two glasses of wine. This is not recommended for more complex and difficult procedures.