Dental procedures often use local anesthetics to ensure patient comfort. This common practice results in temporary numbness in the treated area, a normal and anticipated side effect. The numbness typically subsides on its own.
Understanding Dental Numbness
Dental numbness occurs because local anesthetics, like Lidocaine, Articaine, or Bupivacaine, temporarily block nerve signals from reaching the brain. These medications prevent sodium molecules from attaching to nerve cells, stopping pain messages. The duration of numbness varies based on the specific anesthetic, amount administered, and individual metabolism.
For most patients, Lidocaine numbness typically lasts one to three hours, while Articaine can extend to two to six hours. Bupivacaine, used for more extensive procedures, may cause numbness for four to eight hours, sometimes up to twelve hours in soft tissues. Factors like injection site also influence duration; areas with better blood flow, such as the upper jaw, may wear off faster than denser areas like the lower jaw.
Strategies to Reduce Numbness
Encouraging blood flow to the numb area can help the anesthetic dissipate more quickly. Gently wiggling the jaw or lightly massaging the outer cheek and lips stimulates circulation. This increased blood movement helps the body metabolize and clear the anesthetic from the tissues.
Applying a warm, damp compress to the outside of the face over the numb area promotes increased circulation. The warmth helps dilate blood vessels, supporting the body’s breakdown and elimination of numbing agents. Ensure the compress is comfortably warm, not hot, to avoid skin irritation.
Engaging in light physical activity, such as a short walk, boosts overall blood circulation, aiding efficient anesthetic processing. Staying well-hydrated also helps the body metabolize and excrete the anesthetic. Some dental practices offer a reversal agent like OraVerse (Phentolamine Mesylate), which increases blood flow to accelerate the return of normal sensation, potentially halving numbness duration.
Coping While Numb
While experiencing dental numbness, take precautions to prevent accidental mouth injury. When eating, choose soft foods and chew slowly on the non-numb side to avoid biting your cheek, tongue, or lip. Avoid hot foods and beverages entirely, as lack of sensation prevents burn detection.
Speaking may feel unusual or slurred due to altered sensation; patience is advisable. Drooling can also occur, so periodically check around the mouth. Avoiding substances that might further impair sensation or judgment, such as alcohol or sedatives, is sensible during this temporary period.
When to Contact Your Dentist
While dental numbness is usually temporary and harmless, certain signs indicate a need to contact your dentist. If numbness persists significantly longer than expected, such as beyond five to eight hours or what your dentist advised, contact your dentist, especially if it continues for more than 24 hours.
Contact your dentist if the numb area develops new or worsening pain, swelling, or signs of infection like pus or a persistent bad taste. Also, contact your dentist immediately for allergic reaction symptoms like rash, itching, hives, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing. Any numbness spreading beyond the expected area or accompanied by neurological symptoms, like tingling or loss of taste, also warrants a call.