Why redheads need more local anesthesia

redheadAs dental students we have done it hundreds of times already: local anesthesia. It’s may be the only procedure we have 100% confidence in completing. It’s like July 4th fireworks going off in dental brains because the patient’s “lip feels huge” and it is time to start the procedure. Yet, on a rare occasion, when we go through the normal routine with the appropriate dosage of anesthesia, they still have sensation. What gives?

Dental office smells can be tied to memories

Something StinksWe have all heard it before: scents are tied to memories. According to Psychology Today, this is likely due to the fact that the olfactory bulb is located near other areas of the brain that are strongly associated with memory and emotion. So how does the smell of a dental office have an impact on our patients?

The smell of your office could be a trigger for patients with dental anxiety. The first few seconds of walking into a dental office and checking in at the front desk could be an instant mood changer for some patients. Just the smell of a dental office might trigger a memory and the emotions of pain and anxiety linked to it.

Why redheads need more local anesthesia

redheadAs dental students we have done it hundreds of times already: local anesthesia. It’s may be the only procedure we have 100% confidence in completing. It’s like July 4th fireworks going off in dental brains because the patient’s “lip feels huge” and it is time to start the procedure. Yet, on a rare occasion, when we go through the normal routine with the appropriate dosage of anesthesia, they still have sensation. What gives?