The Secrets of Dentistry Without Pain
Hate dental pain? I understand how you feel.
Here in Part I of Pain Management I’ll explain why people go to the dentist and why they hate dental pain.
In Part II of Pain Management, I’ll outline the Path of Pain and how a dentist can easily be labeled a Hero or Goat.
Everyone hates dental pain. Well, everyone except for Bill Murray in Little Shop of Horrors (see video =>)
The potential for pain at the dentist is very real. Your mouth is a very sensitive part of your body. Without anesthetic and sedation, dentistry would be excruciating.
I can’t imagine how bad things must have been prior to the invention of Novocaine.
Back when I first graduated, I worked for the Canadian Military in Nova Scotia. One afternoon I was working on a young man fresh in from Newfoundland who had a mouth full of deep cavities.
He refused Local Anesthetic. Can you imagine that?
I practically begged him to allow me to administer it, but he would have none of it. He also refused to tell me why.
I proceeded to restore one of his teeth and it was a nightmare session for both of us. He was in pure agony. I’m talking Marathon Man level of agony.
I couldn’t stand the idea of bringing anyone that much dental pain. If I had to perform dentistry like that every day, there’s no way I could last in this profession.
So yes, the potential for pain in the dental chair is significant.
Dental Pain Management
My ability as a dentist will always be judged by my ability to manage pain.
“Is this going to hurt?” runs through every patient’s mind. Every time I comfortably deliver dental care, a patient will build up trust and loyalty. If I fail to take care of a patient in a pleasant comfortable manner, I risk losing that patient forever.
Dental treatment is invasive, so much of what dentists focus upon involves Pain Management… relieving tooth pain, preventing future pain, and minimizing any procedural pain.
Pain Management will always be a huge component for dentists and patients. Dental pain will make or break the relationship.
4 Reasons People Go to the Dentist
People go the dentist for these 4 main reasons:
- Dental Crisis – eliminate severe pain and deal with the crisis situation.
- Dental Repairs – deal with problems before they get worse.
- Dental Prevention – avoid future problems.
- Dental Optimization – explore possibilities for a healthy beautiful smile.
"Ouch! I hate dental pain."
I’ve listed the four reasons in order of treatment priority. Urgent needs first and potential threats second. Routine preventive measures once stability is achieved and optimization is optional.
Those first three Reasons People Go to the Dentist are driven by pain, with the first two being reactive and the third more proactive.
Only the last one – Optimization – isn’t about pain and disease. The focus of Optimization is on opportunity, hope and possibilities. It’s all about health and wellness.
Not everyone is in the market for that optimal level of care. What they seek corresponds to one of the four reasons listed above.
- Some only want emergency crisis-level care (escaping current dental pain).
- Some just want the basic repairs (fixing current dental problems).
- Some want a decent level of care including preventive measures (preventing future dental problems).
- Some will settle for nothing less than the best (optimizing dental health and beauty).
You can learn more about Standards of Care in my Free Special Report on Leadership Gifts.
Why People Hate Dental Pain
You’re supposed to hate pain.
When you put your hand on a hot stove, you’re supposed to feel that immediate unpleasant sensation of pain and pull your hand away.
Pain is actually your friend. Your wake-up-call. It’s a signal for you to take immediate action and offers you a vitally important protection mechanism that helps keep you out of harm.
With Leprosy, people lose their peripheral sensation of pain and that’s how they eventually lose fingers and toes. They can’t feel pain and accidentally harm themselves.
Everyone is wired to seek pleasure and avoid pain. It’s as natural as breathing. The Pleasure-Pain Principle is about that powerful drive and how it dominates many people’s lives.
In accordance to the Pleasure-Pain Principal you continually move towards pleasure and away from pain. Think about the things you love and the things you hate. The attraction and repulsion you feel compels you to act accordingly.
As I mentioned earlier, your teeth are a very sensitive part of your body and dental pain can be especially nasty. If you’ve ever felt intense tooth pain, it’s something you don’t forget and definitely something you don’t want to repeat.
Dentistry Without Pain
Dentistry without pain is the goal of modern dental care.
The great news is comfortable dental care is very achievable nowadays.
The only bad news is that it does come with a price tag.
Stay healthy and keep smiling!
Dr. Joe 
| About the Author: Joe Bulger is a successful dentist in Toronto, Canada. Visit his blog on Dental Secrets Guide to learn more about dental services and opportunities. |
More Resources:
- Pain Management – MedicineNet.com reviews Medical Pain Management.
- Pain Management – Wikipedia’s definition of Pain Management.
- Dental Pain and Toothaches – information on Dental Pain from eMedicineHealth.com.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
My mother always says, “tooth aches and pains are the worst type of pain a person can ever endure — it’s worse that child birth”. For myself, not having to experience a tooth ache suits me just fine.. Prevention is key for me which is why I think that my mother’s comments have instilled total fear of the unknown in me..
Your mother did good Roxy. She deserves a hug!
You’ve got a healthy perspective on staying healthy that will serve you well.
if only I realised how important my teeth are I would have got braces. I now have a right mess for teeth..
There shouldn’t have any pain if you just have take good care of your teeth properly. With proper guidance and strict maintenance. Pain wouldn’t take place.