Sharp instruments, unfamiliar sensations, and the possibility of pain. These are all things that can be scary to some people who hesitate to go to the dentist. But since it’s important to take care of your oral health, it’s necessary to visit the dentist. Fortunately, dentists are medical professionals with lots of experience, and their goal is to give you a successful treatment while keeping you comfortable. Part of this process is dental anesthesia, which keeps you from feeling any pain during a procedure. But once you’re finished, you might be asking: how long does dental numbing last?
The Real Answer and Explanation
The real answer to this question is that it depends on the procedure. But it also depends on several other things, such as your body type and weight and your body’s metabolism.
For example, if you’re getting treatment near the lower jaw, you might need more anesthesia, and it’ll take longer to wear off. This is because the lower jaw contains many nerves, including nerves that control your facial muscles. By contrast, if you only receive anesthesia in a small area, it might wear off faster.
Some people can metabolize the chemicals in anesthesia faster than others. Taller or heavier people may require more anesthesia, and the precise amount is calculated carefully by the dentist and anesthetist. Naturally, to prevent discomfort and the anesthesia from wearing off too soon, it’s better to ensure it doesn’t wear off during the procedure.
How Long Does Dental Numbing Last?
A good estimate to bear in mind is that your numbness may last anywhere from 2 – 6 hours. This can include any part of your mouth, tongue, cheeks, lips, and face. However, it will wear off eventually, as your body processes and gets rid of the chemical on its own.
While you’re under local anesthesia, you’ll probably drool, and it’ll be hard to form words and speak without slurring. This means you’ll need some downtime to recover, especially if you have a job that involves speaking or presenting. But it’ll also be difficult to eat since the same muscles that control your speech also take care of chewing duties. Therefore, while you’re still numb, it’s a good idea to only eat soft foods like yogurt, ice cream, applesauce or soup, to lower the risk of accidentally biting yourself.
How Do I Get Rid Of Dental Numbing?
It’s simple! Anesthesia wears off faster with more blood flow to the area. This means to speed up the process you can go for a walk or do some pushups. Any physical exercise will do, as it gets your blood pumping. If that’s not an option, a warm compress held near the mouth can increase blood flow.
Conclusion
Remember, any good dentist wants a successful and comfortable treatment for their patients. This means that if you’re worried about your anesthesia, you can talk to them to alleviate your concerns. And besides, if your anesthesia persists for too long, your dentist can give you a reversing agent if necessary.
This post is brought to you by Dr. Vesna Arezina, DDS, your best family dentist in Houston, TX. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Arezina prides herself on providing exceptional service, performing general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry procedures. The clinic also provides emergency dental care and is bilingual to serve all members of our community with comfort and care. We’ll be happy to see you! For any questions or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (281) 469-7469.