Dental procedures often use local anesthetics, commonly known as “Novocaine,” to ensure patient comfort. While beneficial during treatment, this temporary numbness can linger, impacting daily activities like speaking and eating. Understanding how this numbness occurs and managing its duration is helpful for a smoother recovery.
Understanding Novocaine Numbness
Local anesthetics, including Novocaine, temporarily block nerve signals from reaching the brain, preventing pain in a specific area. This allows dentists to perform procedures without discomfort. The duration of numbness varies based on the specific type and amount of anesthetic administered, the injection site, and an individual’s metabolism.
The original Novocaine (procaine) typically provides numbness for about 30 to 60 minutes, extended to around 90 minutes with epinephrine. Other commonly used local anesthetics like lidocaine or articaine can last from one to three hours, or even up to eight hours for longer-acting agents. Procedures requiring more extensive work or deeper nerve blocks, such as those in the lower jaw, may result in longer-lasting numbness due to larger nerve areas affected.
Methods to Accelerate Numbness Dissipation
While metabolism primarily determines how quickly local anesthetics wear off, certain actions may help encourage the return of sensation. Increasing blood circulation to the affected area helps metabolize and clear the anesthetic. Gently massaging the outside of the cheek or jaw promotes blood flow; avoid direct contact with the treatment site, especially if swelling is present. Applying a warm (not hot) compress to the numb area can also stimulate circulation.
Light physical activity, such as a brisk walk, increases overall blood flow, helping transport the anesthetic away from the injection site faster. Staying hydrated by drinking water supports metabolic processes and aids in flushing out numbing agents. Some dental practices offer a reversal agent, administered as a second injection, which accelerates sensation return by increasing blood flow to the treated area. This can significantly reduce numbness duration, sometimes by half.
Safety Precautions While Numb
During numbness, take precautions to prevent accidental mouth injury. Lack of sensation means you might inadvertently bite your cheek, lip, or tongue. Avoid chewing or eating solid foods until full sensation returns. If you must eat, choose soft foods and be extremely cautious.
Refrain from consuming hot foods or beverages, as diminished sensation can prevent you from accurately gauging their temperature, leading to burns. It is also advisable to avoid vigorous physical activities that could lead to accidental trauma to the mouth or face while sensation is impaired. Children should be closely monitored to prevent them from inadvertently chewing or playing with the numb areas.
When to Contact Your Dentist
While temporary numbness is normal, certain signs indicate you should contact your dentist. If the numbness persists significantly longer than the typical duration, such as more than 24 hours, it warrants a professional evaluation. Though rare, prolonged numbness could suggest nerve irritation.
You should also reach out to your dentist if you experience unexpected symptoms, including severe pain, noticeable swelling, or any signs of infection like fever or pus. Any persistent or unusual discomfort beyond expected post-procedure healing should prompt a call to your dental provider for advice and assessment.