Why Periodontal Visits Are Usually Uncomfortable

Many people fear visiting us because they are afraid of pain. It’s no secret that some procedures, even simple ones, will hurt. Periodontal visits can be especially painful if you have advanced gum disease or other serious conditions.

Generally, these conditions are painful in and of themselves, and once we start working on the area, the pain can get worse. However, there are things both we and you can do to help make that pain more manageable or even get rid of it entirely.

Talk To Us About Your Pain


The first thing to do is to let us know just how much pain you’re in. There’s no need to act like it doesn’t hurt—we understand that many periodontal conditions are painful, and we won’t think any less of you for admitting that. If we know you’re in pain, we can take steps to make you as comfortable as possible.

Anesthetics


One of the ways we can help manage your pain and keep you comfortable is to administer an anesthetic before we do anything. This helps keep you from feeling any pain at all during a procedure. For minor procedures, we can use a topical anesthetic that only numbs the area we’re working on. We can also do an injection or, in severe cases, even an IV anesthetic. Nitrous oxide or laughing gas is another option.

Distraction Techniques
If your mind is engaged with something else, you’re less likely to notice or focus on the pain. This is why music or other forms of entertainment are encouraged. Bring your headphones and your favorite music on your phone or other device and zone out. We’ll work with whatever you need to distract yourself.

Meditation
Meditation and other relaxation techniques are very helpful, especially if you have a fear of pain. Deep breathing, biofeedback, guided imagery, and even cognitive behavior therapy can help you learn how to control your fear and ignore any pain.

We want you to be comfortable and as pain-free as possible. Please feel free to contact us to talk about what you can expect during your next periodontal visit so you can be prepared.