How Long Does Dentist Anaesthetic Take to Wear Off?
Times can vary for local anaesthetic to wear off.
The anaesthetist or dentist will typically apply enough local anaesthetic to numb the tooth for 1-2 hours, which will be enough time to complete most general dentistry procedures. However, patients can typically still feel the effects of anaesthesia, where the tongue, face and lips will remain numb for the next 3 to 5 hours.
Times can vary
Some dental procedures will require different amounts of anaesthesia – so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for how long your mouth will remain numb following your procedure.
But you should not expect the effects to last longer than a few hours.
Additionally, other factors will affect how long the numbing sensation will last. For example, your height, weight, and the speed at which your body metabolises the anaesthesia are all factors that come into play.
Where in the mouth you’ve had dental work carried out will also play a major role, as the bottom jaw is a large nerve block that controls sensations to even more areas of your face.
Every day procedures like hygiene cleans and fillings will not require you to take time out of work. However, if you’ve had local anaesthetic for a procedure like a tooth extraction, then we would recommend not rushing back to work. While these procedures are relatively routine and simple, your mouth has undergone a significant change, and when the effects of anaesthesia wear off, you’ll undoubtedly feel uncomfortable and require some rest to recover.
How can I get anaesthesia to wear off faster after dentist?
While it might be annoying or frustrating to feel this numbness following the procedure, it can help you get home and get comfortable.
When it wears off, you’ll likely feel the after effects of your procedure and experience some slight discomfort, especially in the case of tooth extractions or deep dental cleans.
We suggest practising patience during this process, as the anaesthetic will naturally wear off with time.
Instead, focus on making themselves feel comfortable so that when the numbness fades away, they’re in a space where they can pleasantly recover.
Always check the below through with a dentist to ensure it’s safe to do so following the procedure you’ve just undergone.
- If there’s no swelling, then you can try applying a warm compress to your cheek to increase the blood flow to that area. In addition to this, you can try massaging your lips to further increase blood flow. Although, please try to avoid touching the treatment area directly to prevent spreading bacteria. Always wash your hands before and after touching your lips, mouth or face.
- If it’s ok to participate in some physical activity following your treatment, then a walk, bike ride or even tackling a few chores around the house will help reduce numbness in a natural way, as active movement will help to stimulate blood flow to the body, helping to carry the anaestheisa away from the injection site. However, we tend to always recommend rest over anything.
- Some dental practices might be able to offer a counter injection to reverse the effects of anaesthesia, which will help to dissipate the numbness twice as fast as waiting it out. However, it will typically be an additional cost.
- Sit back, relax and allow the numbing sensation to pass peacefully. Taking a nap can help take your mind off of things and help aid your recovery.
