One of the worst fears for many patients going for dental procedures is the dreaded pain. The best thing about technology is that there are better tools and medicine that can reduce or completely keep away pain during a procedure.
Dentists often use anesthesia when doing major procedures that would be painful for the patient, including cavity filling, tooth extraction, root canal, and dental implants. Numbing is a common side effect of anesthesia. How long numbness lasts after a filling will depend on several factors, including the amount of filling done. While the tooth will feel numb for 1 to 2 hours, you may experience an additional 3 to 5 hours (or a day or two) of numbness on your face, tongue, and lips, which could affect your normal activities.
This article highlights how long numbness may last and some home remedies that can help you ease it. Read on to learn more.
What causes the Different Levels of Numbness
How long numbness lasts after a filling in different people is linked to a few reasons, like the amount of anesthetic used and the chemicals in your body. Your general health and age could also significantly affect how long you feel numb. Healthy and younger people will typically feel less numb than sick and older folks.
If you’re wondering why your last procedure was different from your friend’s, any of the above reasons could be the explanation. Consulting your dentist can help you answer critical questions like how long numbness lasts after a filling so that you’re well informed before your treatment.
How to Manage Numbness at Home
Numbing in the mouth and face can be very uncomfortable. It can be frustrating to do everyday activities like eating. While patience is vital in this case, as the numbness will naturally disappear. The following remedies can speed up the process.
1. Massage the skin
If you have no visible swelling, gently massage the affected area to increase blood circulation. Applying a warm compress to the site also improves circulation. While doing this, ensure your hands are clean before and after the massage.
2. Take enough rest
Resting and possibly taking a nap will help ease the pain as it gets your mind off the numbness. When you relax, you allow nature to take its course as the numbing sensation fades away slowly.
3. Be active
While being active is the opposite of taking a rest, it can help ease numbness. Physical activities like bike rides, walking, and workouts will increase blood flow which carries the anesthesia away from the procedure area.
4. Hydrate
Drinking a lot of fluids can help you gradually reduce numbness as it washes the numbing chemical out of your body.
5. Ask for an injection
There is some medicine that can quickly reverse anesthesia effects in a few minutes. Your dentist will advise you if that’s a better option for you.
Conclusion
Numbing medicine is used in several dental procedures to keep the patient comfortable from pain and discomfort. After a dental treatment, you will experience numbness for a few hours or a day in some cases. How long numbness lasts after a filling shouldn’t worry you unless it takes more than two days. Reach out to a dentist if the symptoms persist beyond two days.