Why does getting a shot in the roof of your mouth hurt so bad?

[Liberal Veteran]

When compared to the other areas of your mouth that your dentist jabs you with a needle?

[FleshCartoon]

1. I think I'm a bit different than most....

...because none of the dental shots bother me. Last year, while getting a root canal, the local had started wearing off and it didn't bother me at all--even the drilling.

Of course, in other areas, I'm a complete wuss.

[Shopaholic]

4. Try getting them near your front teeth

they go right up into your sinus cavity and it's still sore days later! And I'm no wuss-I've had cavities filled with no shots (because they were shallow fillings and I hate shots so much).

[FleshCartoon]

9. Actually, this root canal was...

...just two teeth over from one of my front ones, to my left.

I don't know. I think I must have a constantly numb mouth or something.

[wysimdnwyg]

2. Just a guess here, but

Could it be because there's a needle sticking you in a sensitive place?

[Servo300]

3. nerve endings, maybe?

My dentist uses a computer controlled pump that injects the lidocaine very SLOWLY and it is great -- doesn't hurt at all!!

Jim

[Unperson 309]

11. So Does Mine!!

He doesn't give nitrous. When I found that out I cringed. "Oh, God, Doc, I hate the novocain needle worse'n'ANYTHING! Maybe I'll just let you drill without it, m'kay?"

"Not at all!" he assured me "Look, we have a new method of putting novocain IN. Let me try it with you. If it hurts, I'll stop immediately. OK? I don't want to EVER hurt someone!"

Well..... alllll riiiiiight.......

I was utterly amazed! A procedure that always hurt like the Dickens (and is the main reason I loathe dentists!) was like silk off a spool. Easy, damn near *completely* painless! He made a believer out of me!

Simply amazing! I'm fortunate in that my dentist is a TOTAL wussie! He is gentle, incredibly sensitive (former flower child, I think) who practically *wilts* at the idea of hurting someone... he sends cards and letters after a treatment and calls that evening to see if the patient is in *any* pain! He's free with the sedatives and pain relievers... almost *too* free... but I love the guy! Hell, if nothing else, he's a GREAT valium connection! ;>

309

[woofless]

5. That's bad, but

I once had novocaine shots in the ball of my foot and literally started screaming. I asked the doc if the stitches would hurt any more than that and he agreed that the stitches would hurt less. I told him to knock off the anesthesia and just sow the damn thing shut.

[jukes]

6. i sort of

like it actually.

[trixie]

7. Gas man, you need gas

Never, ever have anything done without gas.

:headbang:

[oneighty]

8. It is all in your head!

Ignore what your 'ouch sensors' say to you.

180

[jayavarman]

10. Theh hurt sooooo bad

I think it's because there's no flesh there (or not much) just a little bit of tissue over your palate.

Those roof of the mouth shots are the absolute worst