Why Is My Mouth Still Numb 2 Days After the Dentist?
Quick answer: numbness that lasts 2 days needs a call to your dentist
Numbness from a dental numbing shot usually fades within hours, so still feeling it two days later is longer than expected. It may be irritation of a nerve near the injection site, or another cause that needs an exam. Call your dentist's office so they can check you and tell you what to do next.
Dental numbness commonly wears off within several hours, though some people feel it longer.
Numbness at two days is worth a phone call, not a wait-and-see week.
Nerve irritation from an injection often improves on its own, but it should be checked.
Do not eat on the numb side, since you can bite your cheek or tongue without feeling it.
You had dental work two days ago, and your lip, chin or tongue still feels thick, tingly or just plain gone. That is worrying, and it is fair to want answers. Below, you will find what usually causes lingering numbness, what is expected, and which signs mean you should call. This guide comes from Smyrna Dental Studio in Smyrna, GA.
Why is my mouth still numb 2 days after the dentist?
A numbing shot is meant to wear off within hours. If you still feel numb after two days, a nerve near the injection site may be irritated, or another cause may be involved. Only a dentist who examines you can tell which, so call the office.
What may cause lingering numbness
A dentist numbs a tooth by placing anesthetic near a nerve. In rare cases, the needle, the medicine itself, or a small bruise near the nerve can irritate it. A medical review of nerve problems after lower-jaw numbing shots describes symptoms such as tingling, burning, altered taste and numbness that lasts longer than expected (systematic review in PubMed Central).
The same review cites earlier research finding that nerve problems after these injections went away on their own in about 85 to 94 percent of patients. That is encouraging, but it also says that if there is no improvement within about two weeks, a referral is recommended. That is why a check early on is useful.
Which procedures are more likely to be involved
Lower-jaw work often uses a numbing shot that reaches the lip, chin and tongue on one side. Work on a lower tooth, such as a tooth-colored filling or a crown prep, is a common reason people feel numbness there. Upper-tooth numbing usually affects the cheek and lip instead.
How long should the face be numb after a filling?
Numbness after a filling usually lasts a few hours. Cleveland Clinic notes that after a dental procedure it can be hard to speak clearly or eat for up to seven hours, and that local anesthetics overall can last from 30 minutes to 12 hours or more. Two full days is well past that range.
Why the time varies from person to person
Which tooth was treated, the type of numbing medicine, and how much was used can all change how long it lasts. Because these factors can differ from visit to visit, how long numbness lasts can differ too, even for the same type of filling.
Does a crown feel different?
A dental crown visit uses numbing too. Your dentist chooses the numbing medicine and amount for the work being done, which can change how long you stay numb. If you are curious about the visit itself, see our post on what a crown appointment feels like.
Want this checked? If your numbness has gone past a day, you can request a visit online or call (770) 863-0005 and we will help find the earliest visit available.
When should you call a dentist right away?
Call your dentist's office the same day if numbness lasts longer than expected, especially if it is not shrinking. If you have swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing, a fever, or swelling that is spreading across your face or neck, go to the ER or call 911.
Red flags to report
Numbness in your lip, chin or tongue still present after 24 hours, or getting no better.
Burning, electric-shock feelings, or pain in the numb area.
Changes in taste, or trouble speaking or drinking normally.
Swelling in your cheek or jaw that grows, or a bad taste with pus.
Numbness that spreads beyond the area near your dental work or affects both sides of your face. If it comes with a drooping face, weakness in an arm or leg, confusion or sudden trouble speaking, go to the ER or call 911 instead of calling the office.
Call (770) 863-0005 and tell the team what you had done and when. Call the ER or 911 for swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing, fever, or spreading swelling of the face or neck. Pain that keeps you up is also worth a call, and our guide on getting through a toothache at night can help until you are seen.
How long is too long to be numb after dental work?
Numbness that lasts past about 24 hours is longer than expected, and you should call your dentist's office. Most dental numbing fades within hours, and Cleveland Clinic says to call a healthcare provider about prolonged side effects from local anesthesia. Waiting several days before calling is not a good plan.
What happens at the check
The dentist will ask when it started, where it is and how it feels. They may test your sense of touch on both sides of your face and look at the treated area. They can then tell you whether to keep watching it or be seen by a specialist.
What recovery may look like
The review says a clinician should refer a patient to a specialist if there is no improvement within about two weeks, and that full recovery becomes less likely if numbness lasts beyond about eight weeks. That is why we suggest a call now, not after weeks of waiting. This is general research, not a prediction for you. Your dentist can explain what it means in your case.
Can I eat while my mouth is numb?
It is safer to wait until the numbness fades before eating. Cleveland Clinic advises avoiding eating on the side of your mouth that is numb, because you can bite the inside of your cheek or hurt your gums and not realize it. If you need to eat sooner, chew only on the side that is not numb.
Protecting your cheek, lip and tongue
Try not to chew on the numb side, since you can bite your cheek or gums without realizing it. If you think you bit yourself, look at the area once feeling comes back and call your dentist's office if it looks worse.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to be numb after 24 hours?
It is not typical. Most dental numbness fades within hours, and Cleveland Clinic gives up to seven hours for dental procedures. If you are still numb after a full day, call your dentist so they can check the area and advise you.
Can a numbing shot damage a nerve?
Rarely, yes. A medical review of lower-jaw numbing shots describes nerve-related effects such as tingling, taste changes and long-lasting numbness. It also cites earlier research finding that most people recover on their own. Only a dentist who examines you can say whether that applies to you.
Should I take anything for the numbness?
Do not treat it on your own. If you have pain, follow the label of any over-the-counter product you already use and ask a pharmacist or your doctor what is safe for you. Then call the dental office about the numbness itself so it gets checked.
Will the numbness go away on its own?
Often it does, but a dentist should check it first. A review of nerve effects after lower-jaw numbing shots cites earlier research finding that about 85 to 94 percent of patients with nerve problems recovered on their own. That means some did not, and recovery can take weeks. Let your dentist follow it with you rather than guessing.
Why does my tongue feel numb after a lower tooth filling?
A lower-jaw numbing shot often reaches the lip, chin and tongue on one side, so tongue numbness while the medicine wears off is expected. If it lasts past a day, or comes with burning or taste changes, call your dentist's office so they can check it.
Call us if your numbness has not gone away
If your mouth is still numb two days after dental work, do not wait it out. Book a visit online at our scheduling page or call (770) 863-0005, and we will help find the earliest visit available. You can talk it through with our team, including Dr. Natasha Kanchwala, at an exam. We are serving Smyrna and nearby Vinings, Mableton, Marietta and Austell. This is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to advise on your situation.
