When I went for dental surgery, the dentist had a big red sign saying something like: "No Vitamin C the Day Before Dental Visit"

Vitamin C will void out the deadening effects of lidocaine.

That is very interesting what happened. Wonder if it's one of the meds, too?

Good question. Hope others will chime in.

Take Care,
Jan

I went to the dentist yesterday for ongoing work that I am having on my teeth, including some amalgam replecements. It took 3 shots of Novocaine to deaden the pain in my left side for one tooth. Mt Dentist was surprised that I was still so sensitive after the first injection.

This sort of makes sense to me though. I have had super sensitive teeth since starting treatment for Lyme and taking a low dose serotonin uptake Rx to increase appetite. My dentist reminds me constantly to drink fluids, suck on sugar-free "candies", brush with a toothpaste that is for dry mouth and has flouride (which I had stopped using after the age of 12), and rinse with a dry mouth mouthwash like Biotene.

The meds we are all taking, esp. anti-depressants, dry out our mouths. We produce less saliva. This causes our teeth to hurt and the nerves to become more sensitive.

So, I don't think the drugs are interfering with the Novocaine. I do think you are simply more sensitive due to the drugs. Hence, it takes more anesthetic to numb the nerves.

I had slacked off on the Biotene and flouride for about a month and I paying for it with a couple of cracked teeth. $$$$$. It's a good idea to be preventative. Even though I really never liked the idea of flouride in our water, I am now drinking tap water on occassion - had been drinking only spring water. My dentist says to drink both, despite the chlorine that is also added.

Hope this helps explain things a little.