I have dental anxiety. I was thinking if I could just smoke a joint before my appointment, it would relax me enough to get through the appointment. I live in a state will legal medical marijuana. If I told him I had a prescription would he ask to see it and turn me in if I don’t actually have a prescription?
Name Withheld
Dear Anonymous,
You’re not the first patient to ask about the use of marijuana before a dental appointment. I’m going to suggest something completely different, especially since you don’t actually have a prescription. Why risk it?
There is something your dentist can do to relax you during your appointment without any risk of illegal behavior. Have you ever heard of nitrous oxide?
Nitrous oxide is sometimes called laughing gas. It will relax you all while allowing you to be alert during your appointment. It has the added benefit of helping any local anesthetic of being more effective.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. Don Swearingen.