Experiencing a numb mouth after dental work is common. While temporary, this numbness can be inconvenient, affecting speech and eating. Understanding the reasons behind it and knowing how to manage it can help you regain comfort more quickly.
Understanding Dental Numbness
Dental numbness occurs due to local anesthetics, medications that temporarily block nerve signals. Common types include lidocaine, articaine, and mepivacaine. These substances block sodium channels in nerve cells, preventing pain signals from reaching the brain. This allows dental professionals to perform procedures like fillings, extractions, or root canals without discomfort.
Many local anesthetic solutions also contain a vasoconstrictor, such as epinephrine, which constricts blood vessels at the injection site. This slows the anesthetic’s absorption into the bloodstream, prolonging its numbing effect and reducing bleeding.
Practical Approaches to Encourage Numbness Dissipation
While numbness naturally wears off, certain safe practices may help encourage the return of sensation. Gently massaging the numb areas, such as the cheeks, lips, or jaw, can stimulate blood flow. This increased circulation may help the body metabolize and clear the anesthetic more efficiently. Applying a warm compress to the external numb area, if no swelling is present, can further enhance blood flow.
Engaging in light physical activity, such as a brisk walk, can boost overall blood circulation. Improved circulation contributes to faster metabolism and removal of the anesthetic. Gentle movements of the jaw, like slow, circular motions or wiggling, can stimulate blood flow in the oral area. Moving your tongue from side to side can also promote circulation within the mouth.
Exercise extreme caution with warm liquids. While warm beverages might stimulate blood flow, the lack of sensation increases the risk of accidental burns to the lips, tongue, or mouth tissues. Avoid intentionally biting or chewing the numb areas, as this can easily lead to accidental injury without you feeling it.
Expected Duration and Precautions While Numb
The duration of dental numbness varies depending on the type and amount of anesthetic, individual metabolism, and the specific injection site. Lidocaine typically provides numbness for about 1 to 4 hours, while articaine may last slightly longer, from 2 to 5 hours. Mepivacaine without a vasoconstrictor generally subsides within 1 to 2 hours.
For more extensive procedures, longer-acting anesthetics like bupivacaine might be used, which can provide numbness for 8 to 10 hours or even up to 12 hours for soft tissues. Generally, patients can expect local anesthesia to wear off within 1 to 4 hours, though some procedures or individuals might experience numbness for 6 to 8 hours or more. Numbness in the lower jaw often lasts longer than in the upper jaw due to larger nerves and denser bone structures.
While your mouth is numb, take precautions to prevent accidental injury. Avoid eating or drinking hot beverages until full sensation returns, as you might not feel if the food or liquid is too hot, leading to burns. Refrain from chewing on the side of your mouth that is numb, and be mindful not to bite your cheek, lip, or tongue, which can easily happen when sensation is absent. It is also advisable to avoid repeatedly checking for numbness by biting the affected area.
When to Seek Professional Advice
While temporary numbness is normal after dental procedures, contact your dentist if it persists significantly longer than expected, such as beyond 6-8 hours, or certainly over 12-24 hours. Also, seek advice if you experience accompanying symptoms beyond the numbness itself.
These include severe pain, swelling that worsens over time, persistent discomfort, or unusual sensations like burning or electric-like tingling. Difficulty swallowing or any unusual sensations in your face or jaw also warrant prompt advice. These symptoms could indicate nerve irritation, bruising, or in rare instances, nerve damage, which may require further assessment and management.