Difficulty Getting Numb?

Do you have problems getting “really numb for dental procedures?” There are several reasons why:

• Your ph levels may be too low if you take a lot of Vitamin C. Stopping the Vitamin C a few days before treatment will help the anesthesia to work.
• Limiting caffeine products- coffee, tea and energy drinks will make you less nervous and allow the anesthesia to work.
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome patients may need more anesthesia at shorter intervals.
• Redheads may also need more anesthesia and can benefit from the Tums™
  protocol
• Clenching and grinding your muscles causes excess lactic acid to build-up. This is also why your muscles hurt when you exercise. To lower your pH an antacid-like Tums ™- can help temporarily change your acidity or increase your pH.
• The Tums™ protocol is :
1. Take 4 Tums™ 16 hours before dental appointment.
2. Take 4 Tums™ 8 hours after first dose
3. Take 4 Tums™ 8 hours after the second dose. This last dose should be right before your dental appointment.

Let’s say your appointment is at 4 PM. You first dose would be at Midnight (the night before your appointment). The second dose would be at 8 AM (8 hours later). The third dose would be at 4 PM-(8 hours later) the time of your appointment.

• Tips to insure dental anesthesia works:
1. Sleep well before your dental appointment.
2. Limit caffeine intake.
3. Use Tums™ protocol if you have a history of numbing difficulties in the past.
4. Call Dr. Faryl Hart’s office at 804.278.4141 for any additional questions.