Visiting the dentist can often involve procedures that require local anaesthesia to ensure comfort and pain-free treatment.

A common question many patients have is, "How long does mouth numbing from the dentist last?" This concern is particularly relevant for those planning their day around a dental appointment.

In this blog post, we'll delve into the factors that affect the duration of mouth numbness and what you can expect after you visit the dentist.

In general, the numbness of your mouth following a dental procedure will wear off gradually over 2 hours. After 2/3 hours you should have feeling back in your mouth again, although this timeframe is different for everyone.

The Role of Local Anesthetics

Local anaesthetics are medications used to prevent pain in a specific area of your mouth during dental procedures.

They work by blocking nerve signals in your body leading to temporary numbness in the area where the anaesthetic was applied, ensuring you don't feel pain or discomfort during the procedure.

Local anaesthesia is applied using a very thin and sharp needle.

Commonly Used Local Anesthetics

Below are the commonly used local anaesthetics in dentistry:

• Lidocaine: The most frequently used anaesthetic in dental procedures, lidocaine's numbing effect typically lasts about 2-3 hours.

• Articaine: Used in some cases, articaine may have a slightly shorter duration than lidocaine and is also a stronger anaesthetic

• Bupivacaine: Known for its long-lasting effects, bupivacaine can extend numbness for up to 4-6 hours in certain cases.

• Mepivacaine: Is commonly used without any additional adrenaline meaning that the numbness can wear off very quickly, usually under 2 hours.

Factors Influencing Numbness Duration

Several factors can affect how long the numbness will last after a dental procedure, including:

1. Type of Anesthetic: As mentioned, different anaesthetics have varying durations of action.

2. Dosage: The amount of anaesthetic used can influence how long the area remains numb.

3. Injection Site: Certain areas of the mouth may stay numb longer than others due to the density of nerve endings.

4. Individual Metabolism: People metabolise drugs at different rates, which can shorten or prolong the effects of anaesthesia.

Usually, a dentist will administer a routine dose of 2.2ml of anaesthetic for most procedures.

If the procedure is superficial and your dentist doesn’t think the risk of pain is very high (for example, a very small filling or deep scaling), they may be willing to give you a half-dose so that you can regain feeling quicker.

For more invasive procedures such as root canals and extractions, your dentist may not be willing to reduce the dose of anaesthetic as they require you to be thoroughly numb so that they can work properly and that you don’t feel too much discomfort.

Infiltrations vs blocks

There are 2 methods of administering dental anaesthetics

1. Infiltrations - this is when the medication is injected just next to the area where the work is being done. The anaesthetic spread to the area and numbs the surrounding tissues

2. Blocks - Blocks are injected further away from the treatment site and are designed to numb the entire nerve that supplied sensation to a section of the mouth

Most dental treatments are carried out under infiltrations however blocks are required for invasive procedures that involve your lower molars.

An infiltration will only numb the specific area of treatment, however, a lower molar block will numb your teeth, lips, cheek and tongue and will last a lot longer than an infiltration.

What to Expect After the Procedure

Immediately after your dental procedure, you'll likely feel numbness in parts of your mouth, lips, cheeks, or even your tongue, depending on the location of the treatment.

While this sensation is normal, it's crucial to be cautious to prevent biting your cheek or tongue inadvertently.

Tips for Managing Numbness

• Avoid Eating Hard or Chewy Foods: Until the numbness wears off, stick to soft foods to avoid accidental injury to your soft tissues.

• Be Careful with Hot Beverages: You might not be able to gauge temperature properly, which could lead to burns.

• Don't Chew on the Numb Area: This can prevent injury to your cheeks, lips, and tongue.

When to Contact Your Dentist

Although it's rare, if the numbness persists significantly longer than the expected timeframe (more than 4-6 hours), it's advisable to contact your dentist. Extended numbness could be due to a variety of reasons, and your dentist can provide guidance or reassurance.

Conclusion

The duration of mouth numbness following dental procedures varies, primarily depending on the type of anaesthetic used, the dosage, the procedure's location, and individual factors.

While temporary numbness is a standard part of the dental procedure experience, understanding what to expect can help you plan your day accordingly and ensure you take the necessary precautions while you wait for the sensation to return to normal.

You can expect to be numb for about 1-2 hours from the start of your appointment and your feeling will return gradually over time.

Always follow your dentist's post-procedure advice, and don't hesitate to reach out to them if you have any concerns about your recovery.

If you want to speak to one of our online dentists about anything relating to an upcoming appointment feel free to get in touch here.