We’re not totally sure if The Weeknd was reminiscing of a dental appointment when he wrote his hit song “I Can’t Feel My Face,” but if you’ve ever had novocaine before dental treatment, it’s easy to believe that the weird numbness you experienced may have just been the artistic inspiration behind the song. But in all seriousness, novocaine can help ease discomfort during a filling, root canal, or other dental procedures, but the lingering effects of not being able to feel your face can be annoying. Just how long will the numbness last? Is there any way to get rid of it faster? Let’s check-in with your dentist in Chapel Hill.
Novocaine is great at blocking pain signals from your nerves to your brain. That’s why it’s so good to use during dental treatments that may otherwise be uncomfortable. When it comes to determining just how long novocaine numbness will last depends on several things including:
So while the effects of novocaine certainly vary from person to person, typically you can expect to experience numbness between one or even five hours after you leave the dental office.
There’s no absolute trick that will make novocaine numbness go away faster, but there are a few things you can try.
Since novocaine can leave your lips, tongue, and mouth without full feeling for a while, there are some things you should avoid during this time. For example, try your best not to chew on the numb side of your mouth. You can bite yourself and not know it. Similarly, drink and eat hot beverages and food with caution. You may not realize how hot something really is and can burn yourself.
Many of our patients believe that the temporary side effects of novocaine are totally worth the pain-free dental treatment. But if you’re concerned about novocaine or feel that it may not be right for you, be sure to talk with your dentist in Chapel Hill prior to treatment.
