Are you frightened because you have been diagnosed with dental cavities, and your dentist is now recommending you get a filling done? No need to worry. Dental procedures may sound like weapons, but they are actually quite the opposite.
The procedure is performed under anesthesia, so you don't feel any pain. That said, if you are concerned about the numbing effect and want to learn how long does the numbing last after a filling, you need to go through this guide. Below we have resolved all your queries regarding numbing after a dental procedure and when it goes away naturally.
What is Dental Filling?
If it's your first time for dental fillings, read this patch out to learn what dental filling is and how it's done.
A dental filling is a restorative treatment to cure cavities and small holes in a tooth. They restore the shape of the teeth and prevent further damage to the tooth. The dental filling comes in different types for specific purposes. The common ones include: Composite fillings, also called tooth-colored fillings, and amalgam fillings (silver-colored).
Composite resin dental fillings are more practiced among dental surgeons as they are in high demand and look more natural than other forms of fillings.
How long does the numbing last after a filling?
This is one of the patients' leading questions, so we decided to give you a comprehensive overview of it.
Dentists administer local anesthesia for dental fillings and other complicated dental procedures as it makes the process easier and painless. This results in numbness in the treated area for a brief time period. Hence, some people often ask, "How long does it take for the numbness to go away after a filling."
Ideally, the numbing agent used for dental filling takes around three to four hours to wear off completely. However, this could vary depending on the numbing agent your dentist administers before the beginning of the procedure.
How to cope with the numbing effect after a dental filling?
While the numbing effect is temporary, it causes slight discomfort and unease while chewing. It sometimes makes foods and beverages taste bland, causing the patient to look for ways to make the numbing effect go away.
Here are some tips that you can try to minimize the numbing effect after a dental filling:
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Massage your lips and cheeks:
Massaging lips and cheeks is a tried and tested method to reduce numbness in the mouth after a dental filling procedure. It regulates the blood flow in the mouth and reduces the numbing effect gradually.
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Warm compress:
A warm compress is another way to treat numbness and tingling after a dental filling. All you have to do is place a warm compress on the affected area and keep it for 20 minutes, and you will see the numbing effect vanishing gradually.
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Engage in physical activity:
While it may sound weird, engaging in physical activity after a dental filling procedure will increase the blood flow in your body and minimize the numbing effect.
FAQs:
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How long will I be numb after a filling?
In most cases, the anesthesia generally used for dental fillings wears off in one to two hours. However, it may vary in some cases depending on the patient's medical history.
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Can I eat after filling numb?
Dentists recommend waiting for at least 24 hours for solids after a dental filling.
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Do fillings hurt after numbness?
Tooth sensitivity is a possible side effect that most people experience after a dental filling. While you may not feel anything when numb, it may start to appear once the numbness is subsided. It is more common for patients that undergo deep fillings.
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How do you make numbness go away in your mouth?
Try these three instant ways to make the numbness go away:
- Softly wiggle your jaw up and down and from side to side
- Move your tongue from right to left
- Distract yourself with some physical activity
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Does heat help numbness go away?
A warm compress helps big time to make the numbness go away after dental treatment. It regulates the blood flow and reverses the side effects of the numbing agent.
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What is the fastest way to get rid of numbness?
The fastest and simplest way to get rid of the numbness is by massaging your the treated area. It will resume the blood flow and reduce the side effect within a short time.
Conclusion
So, how long do you stay numb for after a filling? Ideally, the numbness should go away in one to two hours on its own. That said, you may still feel numbness in your tongue, lips, and face for nearly five hours.