Going to the dentist to have a procedure performed which requires anesthesia is never pleasant. But, you go, get numbed, have the procedure and it’s over. But, have you ever went to the dentist for a procedure which required local anesthesia only to find it didn’t work for you? There could be several causes for this problem, but there are five specific causes that we shall discuss.
You Have a Hot Tooth
Your dentist might say your inability to be numbed comes from a hot tooth. A hot tooth is a tooth that is causing you a significant amount of pain. When you have a toothache, the nerves in that tooth change. They can become overactive or even develop additional pain receptors. More nerves require more anesthesia. Depending on the severity of the pain, you might be required to receive significant amounts of anesthesia in order to get numbed.
You Can’t Hold Still During Shot Administration
No one likes the thought of getting a shot, especially inside the mouth. It is unpleasant and uncomfortable. The very thought of it could make you jittery or cause you to flinch when the shot is being administered. It’s important, no matter how nervous you feel, to remain as still as possible while you are receiving the shot. Movement during this time could cause your dentist to miss the nerve which will require additional shots until the anesthesia is properly administered.
The Shot Missed the Mark
Dentists are trained to administer anesthesia to the precise location where it is needed to work properly. However, dentists are human and may not hit the target every single time. If you’re having trouble during the numbing process, your dentist may need to try once more to administer the anesthesia.
How Your Body Processes the Numbing Agent
Everyone is different when it comes to becoming numb. People react to medications differently and anesthesia is no exception. It’s possible that you’re body is removing the numbing agent out of your system too quickly, which results in the numbing effects wearing off sooner than you and your dentist had hoped. There are some who’s bodies act lightning fast when removing the anesthesia which means they may not have felt the numbing effects at all.
If you’ve had trouble in the past with anesthesia and getting numb, you should try to relax before your appointment. Your dentist will do what is necessary to keep you comfortable during your procedure.
