Many patients have anxiety over having their mouth numbed as part of a dental procedure. Numbness is defined as a lack of sensation. This type of anesthesia is achieved in dentistry by placing an anesthetic medication near a cluster of nerves, which affect the synapses and blocks many sensations, including pain.

While you may be grateful for not feeling any pain or discomfort during your treatment, you will likely want any anesthesia to wear off as quickly as possible after your procedure is finished. Use these helpful tricks to make Novocaine wear off as soon as possible.

Novocaine is a brand of procaine. This local anesthetic drug is frequently used to numb a specific part of the body. Unlike general anesthesia, local anesthetics don’t make you lose consciousness. Your dentist may use Novocaine or another brand of anesthesia during the following minor procedures to perform a treatment with minimal to no pain:

In most situations, the anesthesia your dentist uses will numb the tooth for 1 to 2 hours. The following 3 to 5 hours may leave your lips, face, and tongue numb, which can be frustrating if you’re attempting to return to normal activities immediately following your appointment. Have patience when it comes to letting the feeling and sensation in your mouth return. While the numbness will naturally wear away with time, these at-home remedies may help speed up the process.

If no swelling is present, apply a warm compress to help increase blood flow to the affected area. In addition to using a warm compress, try massaging your lips to warm them, and increase blood flow. Avoid touching the treatment area directly, and always wash your hands before and after massaging your lips, mouth, and face.

Ask your dentist if it’s safe to participate in physical activity following your dental procedure. Taking a brisk walk, going for a bike ride, or even a few minutes of jumping jacks will aid in naturally reducing numbness. Being active stimulates blood flow in the body, which helps to carry the anesthesia away from the injection site. The encouraging movement will enable your body to break down and metabolize the Novocaine that was used during your treatment.

While taking a nap is the opposite of being active, falling asleep can help to get your mind off of the fact that some regions of your mouth and face are numb. Sit back, relax, and allow the numbing sensation to pass until the anesthetic wears off peacefully.

Some dental practices use medicine that can reverse the effects of general anesthesia. While this will mean another injection, a second reversal injection can also help to make the numbness dissipate twice as fast as just waiting it out. A reversal injection typically costs $25-$75, and most insurance companies will not cover the injection because it is not medically necessary.

Since different types of dental procedures require different amounts of anesthesia, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for how long your mouth will stay numb after a procedure. Factors that come into play as to how long the numbing sensation will last, such as your height, weight, and how fast your body can metabolize the anesthesia. Where in your mouth you needed work done also comes into play as the bottom jaw is a large nerve block that controls sensations to more areas of your face.

Have patience in allowing the anesthesia to fully wear off before eating a big meal or giving a big presentation at work. You should soon be feeling like yourself in no time. If you have any concerns regarding prolonged numbness , contact Cherrywood Dental Associates today.