If you are considering certain dental procedures, you might want to know “how long does dental numbing last?” A top-rated dentist in Palm Beach Gardens discusses the important facts about dental numbing to help you prepare for your dental treatment plan.
Common Procedures that Need Dental Numbing Agents
While some patients may need numbing for most dental work, there are procedures where every patient will want relief from discomfort. Let’s take a quick look at the most common treatments below.
Tooth Extractions
Extractions require numbing agents because they can be painful due to the length and depth of the roots of each tooth. Some roots may even touch nerves within your jaw, causing significant pain upon removal.
Dental Crowns
After your dentist takes a mold of your natural teeth for a crown, they will need to prepare the tooth for the new crown by removing the outer layer of the existing tooth. The removal process can be uncomfortable without numbing. You may also receive numbing during the crown placement procedure.
Root Canals
Root canals directly affect the nerves in your teeth. All nerves, both around your mouth and the rest of your body, are highly sensitive. Numbing agents make the root canal procedure more tolerable for most patients.
Cavity Fillings
A local anesthetic will help reduce or eliminate undesirable sensations during the preparation of your tooth for a filling.
How Long Does Dental Numbing Typically Last?
The length of time that the numbing lasts will partially depend on the location and type of procedure you need to undergo. Some dental procedure types and locations will require more of the numbing agent to combat potential pain during the treatment process.
Certain areas of your mouth where the injection site will be may be more sensitive due to nearby nerve bundles. Your lower jaw may need more of the local anesthetic than certain areas in the upper jaw.
So how long does dental numbing last? Typically, the numbing agent should only last between two to five hours, with a little leeway depending on your body chemistry, age, and overall health. During this time it is possible to experience drooling or slurring of speech due to the effects of the numbing agent on your tongue, lips, and cheeks.
Coping with Numbing Discomfort
Numbing agents are useful for procedures, but not everyone is comfortable with the longer-lasting numbing sensation once they head home. What do you do when you’re ready for your mouth to feel normal again?
There are a few steps you can take to minimize numbing discomfort, including:
- Massaging your lips or gums gently
- Walking around
- Drinking plenty of water
- Sucking on ice or hard candy (no biting)
- Holding a warm compress to the outside of your mouth
With the exception of drinking water to help your body flush the numbing agent out, the above tips aim to increase your blood flow. Increasing your blood flow helps move the numbing agent through your system to reduce its effects more quickly.
Some instructions will vary by procedure. For example, if you undergo an extraction procedure, you should avoid sucking on anything because the suction can increase your chances of developing a painful dry socket if the sucking action removes your clots too early.
Be sure to ask your dentist or preferred care provider for additional information to help you cope with procedure discomfort or if the numbness lasts for more than six hours.
Oral Care in Palm Beach Gardens
Oral health can have a huge impact on your health, happiness, and confidence levels. Do you want to learn more about root canal treatments to save your tooth and regain your smile? Learn more about excellent dental care services from the dental offices of Mark L. Civin D.D.S. P.A.
With the answer to “how long does dental numbing last”, you will be able to prepare for your dental procedure with less anxiety. Call (561) 624-2224 to learn more about dental care with Dr. Civin in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
