Question About a Dental Dam SWH

My child had one used. He was in twilight sedation when it was used, so he didn't even notice it (dozed through the whole thing). After he had no trouble eating, so it didn't appear to have bothered him.

I have worked in a dental office for 8 years and have worked with them as well as had one used in my mouth. Some people love them, some hate them. They really help the dentist be able to see the area better and with children it's helpful to keep their busy little tongues out of the way. For the patient it can be really helpful to keep the water from pooling in the back of their throat as well as other possible debris. Your daughter should do great with it. It doesn't hold your mouth open anymore than you would normally need to hold it open so unless she has TMJ (jaw pain) normally, she shouldn't be in any discomfort afterwards. If you are worried about that though you could always giver her a bit of ibuprofen before the procedure. Hope she does well. :) Give us an update. :)

My dentist is gradually replacing all my old fillings with new ones and uses a dam. It doesn't hurt to have it in and I didn't experience any chewing problems etc. Like TF below, I am claustrophobic and the first time he used the dam I did not do well but he put a small hole in it (to make breathing easier) and that, plus the fact he's pretty speedy and got it off me as soon as he could, did help a lot. You might want to have the dentist show your daughter a picture of what one looks like, where it's going to go, etc., so she's a little prepared. But if the procedure calls for one, it really is essential to use.

I've had them many times (root canals). They keep little drills (used to clean out roots) and debris from going down your throat. They don't bother me at all but they can make your mouth sore after you are done being numb. That being said, your daughter won't feel it while it's in there - just residual pain afterwards. Sometimes it pinches your gum and that is the pain you will feel. But it will go away in a day or so.

My sister can't use them. She is very claustrophobic and makes her very uncomfortable. But she's weird that way. :)

So tell your daughter not to worry - it won't hurt during the procedure and will protect her.

I had one used last September when I had a root canal. I did not like it. It did not hurt... however, I hated it because I am claustrophobic and it is a big piece of latex type material holding your tongue out of the way. You can't speak or communicate so for someone like me who is hard to get numb and my feeling comes back faster than normal, I didn't like it. My dentist had me giving hand signals.

I prefer the (jaw rest) they use to rest your teeth on to hold your mouth open on your own. I feel like I have more control with the jaw rest (and I use the jaw rest to clinch).

The dental dam was uncomfortable (did not hurt at all). I just didn't like it but I was not any more or less sore after the root canal with use of the dam vs the jaw rest.

I had one used for a crown and for a root canal.
It was great for me!
You just relax your jaw muscles and let the dam hold your mouth open.
It was much less strain on my jaws than doing it without one.

My oral surgeon used one when he did my root canal. He did this to protect my other teeth.

I didn't even know it was over the area. I had shots to numb my mouth where he was working. It went on, he did the work, it came off. It wasn't something that affected me one way or the other.

Honestly I don't like them. They made me feel as if my breathing was being cut off, but responses I have seen here are right, it does keep stuff out of your throat.

I would suggest to you and anyone having dental work done, to ask the doctor how soon rinsing with warm salty water can be done. If they have salt in the office, do it there. My experience is even with extractions, warm salty water is a life saver. I was married to a dentist at one point. I had 4 extractions done preparing for braces. We were going to a breakfast meeting the next morning. I asked my surgeon if I could rinse with warm salty water as soon as I got home and he said yes as long as I did not spit out the clot. So I held the water in for about 5 minutes, opened wide over the sink and let it drain - NO spitting. Did this 2X more before bed and the next morning participated in breakfast and all the doctors there were surprised; told them my method and they loved it.

Once the braces were on, I had no idea how much pain I would be in until I tried to eat my lunch. After that, I always rinsed within one hour of adjustments and no pain; rinsing again 2X more before bed. I never had any other pain with the braces.

So with all this said and all you were asking about was a 'dental dam', please ask the doctor about warm salty water. Your daughter will love you for it.

I find the dental dam uncomfortable and I had no pain or discomfort once it was removed. A dental dam is used to keep debris out of the rest of your mouth and throat so it is needed in some procedures.

I actually liked it because I didn't get that nasty taste you sometimes get and it allowed me not to have to flex my jaw muscles because it held my jaw open without my effort