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Will A Dentist Ask To See My Marijuana Prescription?

May 31, 2016

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , , , , , , — okcitydentist @ 6:41 pm

I have dental anxiety. I was thinking if I could just smoke a joint before my appointment, it would relax me enough to get through the appointment. I live in a state will legal medical marijuana. If I told him I had a prescription would he ask to see it and turn me in if I don’t actually have a prescription?

Name Withheld

Dear Anonymous,

You’re not the first patient to ask about the use of marijuana before a dental appointment. I’m going to suggest something completely different, especially since you don’t actually have a prescription. Why risk it?

There is something your dentist can do to relax you during your appointment without any risk of illegal behavior. Have you ever heard of nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide is sometimes called laughing gas. It will relax you all while allowing you to be alert during your appointment. It has the added benefit of helping any local anesthetic of being more effective.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Don Swearingen.

Marijuana for Dental Anxiety

March 30, 2016

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — okcitydentist @ 1:51 pm

Is it OK to go to the dentist after smoking marijuana or will it mess things up? Dentists make me nervous. I think it’s not big deal, but my wife wants me to check.

Lewis – Oregon

Lewis,

You should thank your wife. There can be serious health risks if certain medications are used together. One of those is marijuana and epinephrine, which is a common ingredient in some local anesthetics. If your dentist doesn’t know that you’ve ingested marijuana, then you could end up with heart problems. If he knows, it’s possible to give you and anesthetic that doesn’t contain epinephrine. There are also pain meds that won’t interact well with marijuana usage.

The key is communication. Make certain your dentist knows EVERYTHING you’re taking, including over-the-counter medications, because you never know how it will effect your dental care.

There is another option if you’re uncomfortable with dental work…or dentists. Have you considered sedation dentistry? This can give you pain free appointments, without the complications of trying to self medicate. Talk to your dentist about it ahead of time. He or she will likely work with you. If not, you can always find a different dentist who is willing to.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Don Swearingen.

Why doesn’t my anesthetic work?

January 23, 2016

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , , , , , , , — okcitydentist @ 12:00 pm

I can’t figure out why my local anesthetic doesn’t work. Whenever my dentist tries to numb me, it just doesn’t work. Is there something wrong with me?

Jodi A. – Atlanta

Jodi,

It’s not that there is anything wrong with you per se, it is more likely that you have dental fear. As a result of fear, your metabolism kicks into high gear and eats up the anesthetic.

What you’ll have to do is deal with the fear in order to give the anesthetic the chance to work. I’m not saying see a therapist. There are things your dentist can do to help you. I would look for a dentist who caters to patients with dental fear.

He or she can give you nitrous oxide. It takes the edge off of the procedure for you, which helps relax you. When you’re relaxed, you local will work more efficiently.

You may also want to look for a dentist who uses “the wand”. It gives pain free shots, especially if your fear kicks into high because of the needle.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

We can be done for a complete dental coward

November 28, 2015

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , , , , — okcitydentist @ 5:37 pm

I hate dentists. No offense, but you guys seem to get into dentistry because it was between that and torturing puppies for a living. This option was legal.  So….you’ve got that going for you. Unfortunately, I think I need to go to one. My gums are sore. So…what can someone who is terrified of sadists do to make the appointment easier?

Brooke S. – Brooklyn

Brooke,

I don’t even want to know what your childhood dentist was like.  It’s sounds like you’ve had nothing but bad experiences.  Let me assure you, not all dentists contemplated killing puppies for a living. I promise.  Most actually got into the field because they like helping people.

My saying that will not take away your dental anxiety though.  My suggestion would be to see a dentist who caters to fearful patients. They are aware that some of those patients have been through a traumatic experience and have ways to make your appointment completely pain free.

Please don’t put this off. It’s possible you have gum disease. If left untreated, you can lose your teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen

Are there alternatives to needles?

September 29, 2015

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , , , — okcitydentist @ 6:56 pm

I’m a complete coward when it comes to needles. Are there alternatives?

Samantha B. – Wisconsin

Samantha,

There are a couple of options. You should also know that you’re not the only one who is a coward when it comes to needles. Some dentists, especially those who cater to cowards, will have a tool called the wand. It gives completely painless shots. You can learn about it by clicking here to view Dr. Swearingen’s Cater to Cowards page.

If you’re still nervous about it, you could have some form of sedation dentistry. Many patients with mild anxiety found just getting some nitrous oxide relaxes them enough allow the local to work much better.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Haven’t been to the dentist in ten years

July 27, 2015

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 8:23 pm

I haven’t been to the dentist in over ten years. I’m terrified of the dentist. I’ve had very bad experiences with them. I wonder if there are dentists who are used to dealing with terrified patients? I’ve been having a tooth bother me.

Emily S. – Utah

Emily,

You are not alone in your fear of the dentist. Fortunately, you are right. There are dentists who specialize in treating fearful patients.  Some of them advertise as sedation dentists. Others say they cater to cowards.

I wouldn’t put this off. I know you’re frightened, but if don’t get your tooth looked at and it is an infection, you could end up in serious trouble.  The sooner you get seen, the easier your treatment is likely to be.

You’d rather have to deal with a cavity than have to have your tooth extracted and replaced.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

 

I hit my dentist whenever he tries to give me a needle

May 29, 2015

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , , , — okcitydentist @ 9:53 pm

I have this horrible reflex action where I hit at my dentist whenever he tries to give me a needle for numbing. Normally, he’s used to it, but his last time I took him by surprise and actually hurt him. Have you heard of this before? Is there anything I can do to stop this?

Ellie W. – Montana

Ellie,

You’re not the only patient who stuggles with dental fear.  You must have a very kind dentist, to know he’s going to get a good whack when he treats you and still keep going. There is a solution.

Has your dentist ever suggested any kind of sedation, such as nitrous oxide?  This can relax you enough to make your appointment easier to deal with.

There are dentists who specifically advertise as catering to cowards. They enjoy working with fearful patients, because they want to help change their outlook about dentistry.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma city dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Is it OK to drink wine before going to the dentist?

March 31, 2015

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , , , — okcitydentist @ 5:25 pm

I’m a total coward when it comes to the dentist. It’s been a while since I’ve been and now I’ve got a pretty severe toothache. I know I need to go and get it taken care of, but dentists make me seriously nervous. Is it okay if I drink a glass of wine before I go in? Wine relaxes me.

Stacey A. – Little Rock, AR

Stacey,

You’re not the only one who is uncomfortable with dentists, so don’t feel bad.  While it would be perfectly fine to have a glass of wine before you go to the dentist to shore up your courage, it could interfere with some of the things the dentist needs to do so make sure you let him know.

There is another option. There are other options. There are dentists who enjoy working with fearful patients. Some including Dr. Swearingen advertise that they “cater to cowards“.  They have methods or ways of making your dental appointment less fearful. If you’re worried about pain, most dentists work with nitrous oxide. That will help relax you and enable  the dentist to do any work he needs to do.  That will probably be more effective than wine.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

 

Keep passing out at the dentists

January 31, 2015

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 9:32 pm

The last few times I had to have a dental procedure, I have ended up passing out. When it comes to needles, I am a coward. Is there any option for anesthetic that doesn’t include needles?

Chris B.- Fayetteville, AR

Chris,

You’re not the only one who feels that way about needles. Lucky for you there are dentists who cater to “cowards”, even needle cowards.  You have a couple of options to help you stay upright at your dental appointments. The first is something called the wand. You can learn about that on our cater to cowards page. It gives pain free injections.

Your second option is some form of sedation dentistry. It can be anything from the mild form, such as nitrous oxide already to the deeper form of IV sedation.

Speak with your dentist about these options and you can decide which you feel will be the best fit for you.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Can I take a valium before my dental appointment?

November 29, 2014

Filed under: Cater to Cowards — Tags: , , , , — okcitydentist @ 1:55 pm

I have severe anxiety issues and haven’t been to the dentist in years. My anxiety is dental based, but it affects me going to the dentist. Is it possible to take valium before going to the dentist or is that a no-no. I’m tired of neglecting my oral hygiene.

Stephanie H. – Wisconsin

Stephanie,

It is perfectly fine for you to take your valium before your dental appointment. In fact, sedation dentistry does something similar. It’s intended to relax you so you can have a pleasant dental experience.

Be sure you explain to your dentist what you’ve taken. This way he can be sure not to give you anything that will interfere with your medicine.

If you feel you need something stronger, talk to your dentist.  Usually a sedation dentist or a “cater to cowards” dentist will have other options in sedation. Some even have IV sedation.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

 

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