If you are having a cavity filled, a tooth pulled, an implant placed or a root canal performed, the family dentist will numb your gums and tooth before performing the dental procedure. They will use enough of the numbing agent to ensure they have enough time to complete the procedure before the numbness wears off. In most cases, this means that your mouth will still be numb after leaving the dental office. If you are looking to get the numbness to wear off, there are a few things that you can do. Here are three ways to get dental numbness to wear off following a dental procedure.
Massage the Skin
Following a dental procedure, take your hand and likely massage the skin above the affected area in a gentle, circular motion. Touch and massage help to increase blood flow to the area. The more blood flow there is to the area, the faster the effects of the numbing agent will wear off. It is important to note that you may be sore in the affected area following a procedure. As such, if you feel any pain or are tender or swollen, you may want to avoid using this method.
Exercise
Another way that you can get your dental numbness to wear off following a dental procedure is to exercise. When you exercise, one of the things that happens is blood flow is increased throughout the body. But in addition to this, adrenaline and endorphins are released. Increased blood flow, adrenaline and endorphins can all help your numbing agent to wear off faster than sitting on a couch or taking a nap. Following a dental procedure, be sure to ask a dentist if you can exercise and what level of activity you can engage in before exercising.
Chew Gum
The last way that you can get rid of dental numbness quickly after a dental procedure is to chew gum. When you chew gum, you increase blood flow to the area thanks to the movement of your jaw. Moving your jaw and chewing gum may also help to minimize swelling that can occur following a dental procedure. However, it is important to note that some procedures require you not to eat, drink or chew gum for some time after the procedure. Be sure to follow all instructions given to you by the dentist in regards to chewing gum or eating.
Following a dental procedure, massaging the skin, exercising and chewing gum can all increase blood flow to the affected area, causing numbness to wear off faster. However, if you are in a hurry for the numbness to wear off after a dental procedure, talk to your dentist. Depending on the numbing medication used, there may be injections that can be given to immediately reverse the numbness you feel.
