There are many reasons why your dentist may choose to numb your mouth during an appointment. Whether getting a tooth pulled, addressing a cavity, or preparing for root planing and scaling, this numbing agent plays a major role in boosting your comfort. While you may be prepared for dental numbing, it can be a bit of a nuisance.
Prolonged numbing may make it difficult to eat, drink, and speak throughout your day, and you may wonder how long it will take to wear off. If you’re preparing for an upcoming dental appointment with numbing or are currently dealing with lingering dental numbing, keep reading to learn how long it may last and steps to get it to go away more quickly.
Common Types of Dental Numbing
When your dental team prepares you for an upcoming service, there are a few options they may choose to utilize. The most common dental numbing agents include:
- Block Injections: A block injection is used to numb one entire section of your mouth. If they are performing a service on your upper right molars, they may numb the upper right side of your jaw while leaving the rest of your mouth unnumbed.
- Infiltration Injections: Your dental team may choose to utilize infiltration injections for numbing in smaller areas. This numbing is most often used when your team is performing a filling, extraction, or minor surgery.
Your dental team will choose the appropriate numbing agent based on the severity and complexity of your treatment. If they choose to numb your oral tissue, they will use lidocaine, articaine, mepivacaine, or prilocaine. Not only does this prevent discomfort, but it may also reduce bleeding throughout your treatment.
How Long Will This Numbing Last?
If your dentist has recommended dental numbing, the most common question patients have is how long they can expect it to last. While the exact amount of time that numbing lasts will vary from person to person, you can expect it to clear up within 5 hours. The numbness in your tooth can clear up as quickly as 1-2 hours post-procedure.
However, you may experience lingering numbness in your lips, tongue, and face for 3-5 hours. If the numbing hasn’t faded within 24 hours of your appointment, it is essential that you reach out to your dentist as soon as possible. They will schedule an emergency appointment to address whether you’re experiencing nerve damage or irritation.
Side Effects of Dental Numbing Agents
While you may not experience dental numbing after 24 hours, there are a few lingering side effects you can expect to experience, including:
- Soreness and swelling, especially near the numbed area.
- Reddish or dark purple bruising near the injection site.
- Tingling and itching sensations as the anesthetic wears off.
- Dry mouth (Most common after longer dental procedures).
- Headaches from stress and muscle strain from holding your mouth open.
These side effects are not cause for concern and should dissipate within the day. However, if you are experiencing a racing heartbeat, suspected allergic reaction, temporary facial paralysis, or difficulty blinking, you should contact your dental team immediately to remedy the problem.
How to Get Rid of Numbness
Dental patients often schedule essential appointments in the middle of their busy schedules. While this may be fine for a dental cleaning, more complex services may leave you with numbness and tingling throughout the remainder of the day. However, there are a few things you can do to alleviate dental numbing, including:
- Get Some Rest: After your dental appointment, you may want to consider taking a nap. This relaxing activity can help reduce stress levels and take your mind off the numbness you’re experiencing, potentially alleviating the numbness without discomfort.
- Stimulate the Area: If you’re not experiencing discomfort or swelling, consider applying a warm compress to the numb area. The warmth stimulates blood flow to the area, providing essential nutrients and oxygen and alleviating dental numbing.
- Light Exercise: While you shouldn’t jump into extreme physical activity after a dental procedure, consider taking a walk or a relaxing bike ride. Much like the warm compress, this increases blood flow throughout your body, reducing numbness.
- Drink Water: Whether you’re experiencing dental numbness or not, hydrating after a procedure is essential. When you’re experiencing dental numbing, increased hydration can carry away toxins and increase your comfort.
Things to Avoid While Waiting for Numbness to Subside
While you wait for the numbness to go away, there are a few things you’ll want to avoid. First, it is best to avoid eating and drinking. Eating while experiencing numbness may lead to accidental bites to your tongue, lip, or cheek. This can add to the discomfort you’re experiencing post-procedure, so it is best to wait until you regain sensation.
However, if you are hungry or thirsty, consider only consuming cool substances. If you consume hot foods and beverages while numb, you may accidentally burn the sensitive tissue in your mouth, irritating the affected area. Finally it may be best to set aside your musical instruments until the numbness goes away.
While playing instruments like flutes, trumpets, and clarinets won’t result in injury, it can be difficult to perform this activity precisely. Instead of eating, drinking, and practicing your favorite instrument, it is best to take the day off and allow yourself to recover fully from your recent dental procedure.
Schedule with Our Expert North View Dental Team
Dental anesthetics can be daunting, but they are an essential part of maintaining comfort during upcoming procedures. If you need extractions, fillings, and other dental procedures, turn to our team at North View Dental in North Ogden for support. For over two decades, we’ve provided expert dental care to patients across the Wasatch Front, making us the best partner for your upcoming appointment.
If you’d like to learn more about our services, have questions about dental numbing, or want to schedule an appointment with us, don’t hesitate to reach out today.
