Most people don't particularly enjoy going to the dentist, but they grin and bear it. If you are having trouble even getting yourself in the door because of the fear of pain, then it's time to take action. Instead of avoiding the dentist, ask them if they can use one or more of these extra pain and stress-relief services to make your appointment more comfortable.

Numbing Gel

Your dentist should administer novocaine or another local anesthetic to numb your gums and tooth prior to having any work done. But for many patients, even the pain of the injection is too much to tolerate. If this is an issue for you, ask your dentist to use numbing gel before they administer the anesthetic. They will swab the injection site with a special gel that makes the area numb. It will take a minute or two to kick in, and then you will barely feel the needle going in. (It will feel like more of a pinch, rather than a prick.)

Laughing Gas

If your anxiety is more of an issue than the pain, then ask your dentist for laughing gas. Also known as nitrous oxide, this is a gas you can inhale during your procedure to make you feel very relaxed. Things that you would ordinarily find stressful, you'll find silly. (That's why it's called laughing gas.) The best part is that laughing gas completely wears off within a few minutes once you stop inhaling it, so you can drive yourself safely home from your appointment.

Virtual Reality

This is an option that is becoming more common in modern, tech-advanced dental offices. Your dentist might allow you to put on a virtual reality headset and imagine you are exploring a different world while your teeth are being worked on. This keeps your mind off what's happening in your mouth so you have an easier time remaining relaxed.

Advanced-Use Pain Relievers

For some patients, the jaw soreness that follows a dental procedure is the problem. This is the case with a lot of patients who suffer from TMJ pain. Ask your dentist if they can prescribe a pain reliever for you to take an hour or two before your appointment. This should ensure that you experience less pain after your procedure.

To learn more about pain-free and stress-free dentistry, talk to your dentist. They can tell you what has worked well for their other patients. For more information, contact a local dental office like Picone Dental - Vincent J Picone DDS.