Sedation is an important part of dental treatments to alleviate pain during the procedure. Dentists widely use local anesthesia and sedation for seamless oral treatments and surgeries. Local anesthesia is a common practice in dental clinics. At Sekhon Dental – Dentist in Agoura Hills, we give local anesthesia prior to major treatments to lessen the pain and make your treatment as comfortable as possible. We also offer Nitrous Oxide (aka Laughing Gas) to help you relax during your treatment.
Why Do Dentists Use Anesthesia During Dental Treatments?
Dental treatments like tooth cavity filling, root canals, and tooth extraction cause dental pain. To keep patients relaxed during the treatment, dentists use anesthesia on that specific area of treatment. Anesthesia numbs that certain area of the oral cavity to help the patient relax during the procedure.
How Long Does Dental Numbness Last?
Dental numbness can last for a few hours, which can vary from person to person. Typically, anesthesia numbness lasts from 2 to 5 hours after the procedure.
What to Do for Numb Mouth after Dental Visit?
While numbness typically goes away eventually, here are a few ways to fasten the process if you feel uncomfortable and irritated by it:
Facial Exercises
Doing simple and slow facial exercises can speed up the process of reversing numbness. You can jiggle your jaw with light movements and move your tongue left and right. However, consult your dentist at Sekhon Dental – Dentist Agoura Hills before exercising.
Gentle Massage
When your mouth is numb from dental treatment, you will have a cold feeling in the affected area. So, warming will help to reverse the numb feeling and soothe it down. Place a warm compress on the affected side for 10-15 minutes and massage your lips and cheeks gently. Make sure to not over-do.
Rest Well
The numb feeling after a dental treatment is not harmful but is irritating to some people. However, it will not last long and will fade with time. Meanwhile, you can take a nap and rest to pass some time, and the numbing will soon go away.
Swish Warm Salt Water
Rinsing your mouth with salt water can help reduce numbness and inflammation. Warm a glass of salt water in the microwave for 1 minute. Slightly dip your finger in water to ensure it is not too hot. Now, swish salt water in your mouth with light movements for 2-5 minutes.
What Not to Do When Your Mouth is Numb?
While there are certain things you could do to make the numbness go away faster, there are certain things you should avoid.
- Avoid excessive chewing or eating
- We don’t recommend taking any pain-killers or using any gels
- Refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking
Final Words
Dentists globally use anesthesia to numb the mouth for a few hours and ease down the pain caused during dental treatments. Gentle facial exercises and massage can help reverse the numbing faster. Light swishing with warm salt water and distracting yourself can also help against the cold feeling. If you don’t feel like doing anything, relax and sleep for a few hours until the sedation goes down. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Sekhon Dental – Dentist Agoura Hills.