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Originally posted by lady
1. Is it true that some people need more anaesthetic than others? Is this just a body chemistry thing or can people who routinely take too many pain killers build up a tolerance to any kind of anaesthetic. (My dad's done this for years and he says he always need several shots of anaesthetic at the dentist's office.
2. I have sensitive teeth and tried using Sensodyne for a while, but I'm also concerned about keeping my teeth white, so I've switched back to a whitening toothpaste (one of the Crest ones, I think). But my teeth being so sensitive is bugging me. Should I use a bit of Sensodyne and Crest toothpastes at the same time or use one a.m. and the other p.m.? What does Sensodyne do to fix tooth sensitivity?
3. A couple years ago there was a blue powder that was marketed towards smokers. You would dip your wet toothbrush in the powder after brushing normally with toothpaste, and brush with the blue goop. I don't smoke, but it made my teeth really white. It just disappeared from all the stores I've looked in a couple years ago. Have you heard about it?
Btw, thanks so much for doing this. I really appreciate it. My dentist gets sick of me asking him a billion questions when I go in to see him. 
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1) Yup, some people need more than others. One study published last year IIRC showed that red-headed people needed more anesthetic than others. The reason some people need more can be body chemistry (in the case of redheads) or anatomy (there is slight variation in the location of peoples' nerves so you might not get the one you're aiming for the 1st time), or built-up tolerance. You see the tolerance issue alot with (former or current) drug users. They're a real bitch to anesthetize.
2) Don't bother with the whitening toothpastes. I don't think they work and they are abrasive by nature, leading to sensitivity. If you want your teeth whitened, get home bleaching trays from your dentist. You can vary the % of the bleaching material so that you avoid sensitivity from it. Sensodyme works by adding Potassium nitrate... the potassium goes into the tooth and stops the nerves deep inside from sending pain signals. It works for most people.
3) I really have no idea. Remember that toothpastes that whiten your teeth do it mainly by abrasion of the tooth surface. This is not a good idea for people with sensitive teeth.
If you have anything else, don't hesitate.