Still numb and painful?

Question

A few hours ago i had to get 3 cavitys filled and 2 sealant teeth or something like that. They numbed my mouth and then started working on them. Except the left side of my mouth wasnt fully numb and i could feel everything. He asked if it hurt and i said yes, so he numbed it some more. To keep my mouth open he used these plyer looking things with a green rubber sheet over it, and i had to stay like that for quite a while. Now only half of my lip is numb, and my left side of my cheek is just now starting to get numb. Also, because of the plyer looking thing, my jaw is hurting like crazy, i scared to eat anything because it hurts when i barely even move my mouth! I am only 14, please help someone give me some advice on what to do or when it will go away. Thanks

Both sides were worked on, thanks for your answers by the way

Answer 1

Hello there,

It is normal to feel numb for several hours after dental procedures, just be careful not to bite your tongue or cheek or it will hurt when your mouth wakes up.

The plyer things are called a mouth prop, it is normal to have some jaw pain after being propped open for so long. Usually mouth props help relax the jaw and can help the patient from experiencing jaw pain after treatment but it may be that they were keeping you open just a bit wider than comfortable for your jaw. Or perhaps you are describing a rubber dam, that is used to keep the area dry. but requires that you stay open pretty wide which make the jaw tired. Either way, it will get better just eat soft foods and ask your mom to give you some Advil, that will help with the pain.

Sometimes a person doesn't get numb right away and can feel the dentist working, but that part is done now and you will be okay, just wait for the numbness to go away, it will take some time, then you feel better.

Later after the numbness goes away you can eat, it is hard to eat when numb and you could bite yourself if you do. If you are really hungry have something you don't have to chew like pudding or ice cream.

Just relax for a while, take a nap, when you wake up you will feel better.

Answer 2

Expect the numbness to wear off in about 2 hours. If the pain is severe call the dentist. He could have dislocated your jaw. If it is moderate, try ice and expect it to last 24-48 hours. (kind of like a pulled muscle in you jaw)

Answer 3

the numbness is beginning to wear off as you are now in pain, but it could take up to 3 hours to go. try to numb it yourself by sucking on ice, ice cream, sorbets etc. dont play with your teeth (with your tongue i mean). take some strong nurofen and if it still hasnt gone within a couple of days go back to get it double checked.

Answer 4

HALEY,

WITH DENTAL ANESTHETICS THE ONLY THING TO MAKE THE NUMBNESS GO AWAY IS TIME.
YOU CAN EAT, BUT BITE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE THAN THE ONE WORKED ON.
WHY?
SO THAT YOU WON'T POSSIBLY BITE YOUR LIPS AND/OR TONGUE.
ALSO SOFTER FOODS THAT DON'T REQUIRE HEAVY CHEWING ARE THE EASIEST TO EAT.