Rejecting being numb on raw

[Betsy]

I went to the dentist for two crowns (manditory) but he could not get me numb enough, no matter how much shot he gave, I still wasn't numb enough for the crown prep, so he sent me home, saying, "I can't give you anymore to numb you, I've given you the maximum I can give, and still you're not numb enough to go on with this."

Can Being a raw vegan cause numblessness?:confused:

The hygenist suggested potassium. What??

[iamacranberry]

Try another dentist.

And by the way, bananas are an excellent source of potassium. They're cheap, too.

[juliebove]

There are other things he could have given you. Did you have something with a lot of caffeine that day? Like chocolate? I was required to have no caffeine whatever prior to my last crowns. Caffeine not only speeds the meds through your system, but prevents them from working effectively. Caffeine is advised after the procedure to de-numb you.

[Betsy]

Well, thanks so much the replies were so fast:)

I did have tea (decaf) but maybe it still had some caffeine residue. Also, I didn't eat much at all ( too nervous ) just had about two bowls of raw granola.

[Conscious Midwife]

He probably missed the nerve!!!

The trigeminal is a booger and easily missed.


Not to many professionals can get detached enough from their ego to blame their technique;)

[Betsy]

You're right!! I forgot until you reminded me ! He DID say that he probably missed a nerve, and that he can't give anymore medicine, as I had had the maximum allowed!!

[RawSinger]

Try another dentist.


That's sounds about right, right about now. Good luck!

[klomasius]

Bugger! you have to go through that AGAIN??

Hope the next dentist/appointment goes better. Dentists are not my favourite places... :o

[samadhisoul]

I ALWAYS have that problem. I have had to have two teeth taken out and both times (3 years apart) I had to be numbed, numbed and numbed again! i mean the last time I was in there for hours...they were baffled "you can't POSSIBLY feel this" , "maybe what you feel is PRESSURE":rolleyes: ---ummm, i've had 3 kids, think I know the diff btwn pain and pressure, thank you.

they had to call senior staff over and everything, I just ended up enduring the pain (both times) count till its over and vow to take bettter care of my teeth, lol. I know this is not what you were hoping to hear but I believe my body does not respond well to novacaine.

oh, the first time I was 100% raw-in '05
2nd time more like 20%, lol

[klomasius]

I ALWAYS have that problem. I have had to have two teeth taken out and both times (3 years apart) I had to be numbed, numbed and numbed again! i mean the last time I was in there for hours...they were baffled "you can't POSSIBLY feel this" , "maybe what you feel is PRESSURE":rolleyes: ---ummm, i've had 3 kids, think I know the diff btwn pain and pressure, thank you.

they had to call senior staff over and everything, I just ended up enduring the pain (both times) count till its over and vow to take bettter care of my teeth, lol. I know this is not what you were hoping to hear but I believe my body does not respond well to novacaine.

oh, the first time I was 100% raw-in '05
2nd time more like 20%, lol

OMG :eek:

I'm going to brush my teeth RIGHT NOW!

:eek: :eek:

Birth pain? no worries, teeth pain??? oh dear......

[spicyfull]

I know..........You get your Nerves up....and its like a wasted trip. Been there.:(

[NoGMO!]

Sorry to hear of your delimma. This may or may not be an option for you but here it goes. I had 8 porcelain crowns installed and 8 mercury fillings filed away/removed two years ago and I was not wanting to use the anasthesia med so I opted out of it. I used nothing. I was just so glad to remove the mercury that had been in these for 30 years. good luck to you.

[Theogirl]

I've opted for no drugs when getting cavities filled. Yes, I felt a little stressed and slightly uncomfortable during the procedure, but I am phobic of needles!
On a side note, I was pleased that during my last teeth cleaning, I once again stated - no fluoride for me or my 4 yo son and they gave me NO hassle! (Just don't tell the health unit, they are anal about such things!)

[iamacranberry]

There really isn't sufficient evidence that fluoride strengthens teeth, anyways. The few studies that sort of point to its usefulness are not enough to really determine any meaningful results.

[Coconutcutie]

I've opted for no drugs when getting cavities filled. Yes, I felt a little stressed and slightly uncomfortable during the procedure, but I am phobic of needles!
On a side note, I was pleased that during my last teeth cleaning, I once again stated - no fluoride for me or my 4 yo son and they gave me NO hassle! (Just don't tell the health unit, they are anal about such things!)

My hygienist FREAKED when I refused a fluoride treatment for my son! I know that the polishing paste that they use also contains fluoride...does your dentist offer a fluoride-free version or what? I have been putting off going to the dentist for awhile because I react very badly to fluoride as of late and don't feel like having another argument right now....

[Clare]

I grew up with no fluoride at all (smart mom) and every dentist then and now has always had an alternative gritty paste for polishing. I always feel the need to remind them every time...my new dentist since we moved is wonderful. He rarely uses flouride (just some application in extremely progressed tooth decay), uses no mercury, and is on a committee to stop water fluoridation in our community.

[Draginvry]

Dieting and fasting can cause things like increased immune response and nervous activity. This is probably why the numbing agent didn't work.

This is actually a good thing. The body is meant to be sensitive and feel pain when it is injured. You should count yourself lucky that your nerves can't be shut down so easily.

[Betsy]

Thank you, I guess I can be lucky that my body can't be tricked!:o

[Theogirl]

My hygienist FREAKED when I refused a fluoride treatment for my son! I know that the polishing paste that they use also contains fluoride...does your dentist offer a fluoride-free version or what? I have been putting off going to the dentist for awhile because I react very badly to fluoride as of late and don't feel like having another argument right now....

My dentist is very laid back and the hygienists are not all condescending like "Dearie, hasn't anyone ever taught you how to floss??" :p My particular hygienist personally goes to a naturopathic doctor so she didn't even ask why not fluoride. I've always asked for no fluoride since I've been going there and I was pregnant with my son 4 years ago. No one has ever even asked why not!
I didn't realize the polishing paste had fluoride in it! Oops! Oh well, I'll ask next time.
We don't have dental insurance so I make SURE our teeth are preventatively well looked after, going for cleanings every 6 months since I have bad black line stain which is ugly. Then last time they offered me a chance to buy a professional level spinning toothbrush at cost (told you I had a nice dentist!) I did, and didn't have to go back for a whole year! The toothbrush was expensive but less than that extra cleaning. Enough rambling!:)

[Coconutcutie]

My dentist is very laid back and the hygienists are not all condescending like "Dearie, hasn't anyone ever taught you how to floss??" :p My particular hygienist personally goes to a naturopathic doctor so she didn't even ask why not fluoride. I've always asked for no fluoride since I've been going there and I was pregnant with my son 4 years ago. No one has ever even asked why not!
I didn't realize the polishing paste had fluoride in it! Oops! Oh well, I'll ask next time.
We don't have dental insurance so I make SURE our teeth are preventatively well looked after, going for cleanings every 6 months since I have bad black line stain which is ugly. Then last time they offered me a chance to buy a professional level spinning toothbrush at cost (told you I had a nice dentist!) I did, and didn't have to go back for a whole year! The toothbrush was expensive but less than that extra cleaning. Enough rambling!:)

Sounds like you found a great dentist! I think that I am going to just find a new dentist...I just get a bad feeling about the office that I have been going to for the past 5 years. The hygienist has always seemed somewhat rude and is really rough with my mouth, definitely not sensitive to patient comfort. And like I said, at the last appt. that I took my son to they really made a big deal about my refusing a fluoride treatment for my son...by the way both of my kids have great teeth with zero cavities and neither of them have used fluoride toothpaste EVER. By the time I was 5 I already had cavities in every molar and also an abcessed tooth that had to be extracted. I was born and bred with fluoridated water and toothpaste.

Would you suggest calling around to dentists in my area that accept my insurance and asking the receptionist up-front if they would be open to my specific needs or just wing it? I think I know the answer to this one...just wondering if I will actually find one that will agree to accept me as a patient knowing upfront that I am "picky"...

BTW, I wasn't aware that the polishing paste had fluoride until my sons' last appt. when I looked at the little container they were using and it said "fluoridated" or something to that effect, my fuzzy mind can't remember the exact wording.

[iamacranberry]

I would ask upfront. Better to find out before you commit to appointments and the like with them.

[Betsy]

O.K. Now another question:p

What can I do to ensure I will get numb next week when I go back? Foods, vitamans ect that anyone knows of?

[Eveleaf]

Tell him your previous dentist told you that you have an extra nerve around that tooth. Most dentists expect you to have a set number of nerves in essentially the same locations as everyone else. They go in, numb those places, then get cracking. I use this trick every time I see a dentist, and it works. Tell him you have an extra nerve, and he'll be more explorative, testing different locations and getting your feedback until he numbs the appropriate place. A surprising number of people have extra nerves - I wish dentists would realise this and be more inventive with their numbing techniques.

[Betsy]

Thank you!:D

[Portia2012]

Yes, I don't believe that it has anything to do with raw foods, because I had a tooth removed about 10 years ago give or take, where I had to be numbed 3 times, and he told me he could not give me anymore. I was no where near being raw then. I think it has to do with perhaps an extra nerve as someone mentioned. I have to get numbed atleast twice usually.


~Portia~

[Betsy]

Thank you!:D

[Portia2012]

Your welcome, it is always good to know that you are not alone. I dislike going to the dentist. My teeth is so rotted now that I do not believe toothsoap will help. I have not had good dental hygiene treatment all my life. I have cavaties galore, I am afraid that they are poisoning my body, and not sure what to do. I want to get them fixed, but do not know where to turn.


~Portia~

[Betsy]

i would say go to the dentist and get them fixed right away as you only have one set of teeth and if you looose them, you'll have to wear false teeth!!:eek:

I am sorry about your teeth. Don't let them go anylonger, though.

I knocked my two front teeth diving in a swimming pool and they turned dark brown!!:eek: That is why the two crowns. Isn't that weird? LOL>

[Portia2012]

My problem is I have no income currently, and I am unable to get medical coverage otherwise, so I am kind of stuck in the middle. Well, they do have the implants now, so false teeth is not the only option, but still they need cleaned and they make me self conscious.


~Portia~