Question about local anesthesia

lklein
lklein Posts: 215 Member
edited September 2024 in Chit-Chat
I had to get 4 fillings this morning, and I've never had any before. How long will the local anesthesia last. Only the right half of my mouth is numb; I had one shot on the top, one on the bottom, and one in the back. It's been 2 1/2 hours and still doesn't seem like it's wearing off. I'm hoping it doesn't last too much longer since I'm not able to eat or drink with out it coming back out :tongue: To make it worse, I didn't eat breakfast before going in and I'm super thirsty. Please tell me it won't be much longer. Thanks!

Replies

  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    Every person is different. I could still eat when under the local but it requires being VERY VERY VERY careful, as your tongue is numbed too!!!!! I remember feeling like I had something stuck between my upper and lower teeth. Turned out I was CHEWING ON MY OWN TONGUE!! hahahaha, I can laugh about it now!
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    Why can't you drink anything?? Might make a mess but chug a bit of water over a sink? :wink:
  • MotherofDREAMS
    MotherofDREAMS Posts: 45
    Or... Find a straw & get sipping! :drinker:
  • Sonofabiscuit2
    Sonofabiscuit2 Posts: 323 Member
    When it comes to anesthesia like alcohol everyone is different but it depends on things like amount of med and body size. Hopefully soon though.
  • aflane
    aflane Posts: 625 Member
    Whenever they give me novacaine, it lasts about 3 hrs. As to drinking... use a straw. It greatly reduces the dribble factor. As to eating, chew on the non-numbed side. You might want to try to puff your cheeks out a smidge when bringing your teeth together, since you won't be able to feel your cheek.
  • Tree72
    Tree72 Posts: 942 Member
    It definitely depends on the person. I'm very sensitive to any sedatives and found that for me it lasts at least 8 hours before I'm able to eat again. (At that point the teeth still felt numb, but I could at least feel my cheek to make sure I wasn't biting it.) If I ever have to have more work done I'll definitely prepare ahead so that I can make a smoothie or some other liquid meal. Straws definitely help make drinking less messy.

    Hope you're feeling better soon.
  • catcrazy
    catcrazy Posts: 1,740 Member
    Yes, I think the main reason to not eat or drink is gauging temperature and chewing yourself, Have a drink, make it a cool drink and use a straw to sip so that youre not taking in a huge mouthful that might cause a bit of choking
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    It's different for everyone. A few years ago I had two filling done, one on the top right and one on the bottom left. I couldn't begin to try eating without chewing my cheeks until about 4 hours after I left the dentist. I could drink from a straw right away though.
  • kimmerroze
    kimmerroze Posts: 1,330 Member
    Make a smoothie, or get a milk shake, and drink it through a straw! yogurt is also a good thing, you just don't wanna be eating things that you have to chew on.
  • lklein
    lklein Posts: 215 Member
    Thanks for the tips... Not going to attempt eating yet since I've already bit my tough and cheek without realizing it. But I'm on the hunt for a straw now.
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