Has anyone heard of "Novocaine injection burns" after wisdom teeth removal?

Question

I had my wisdom teeth removed 6 days ago and now have these very painful sores on the roof of my mouth. They are very far back and near the center. Every time I swallow or eat or drink it causes sharp pain. I don't know how this can heal since the mouth is always moist and I keep rubbing against the sores with the back of my tongue. Has anyone experienced this or know anything about the lenght of time for healing? My oral surgeon said they were novocaine injection burns....Help!!

Answer 1

I am an oral surgeon...this can happen on your palate (roof of mouth). It is not a burn, but rather an area that TEMPORARILY lost blood flow due to the local anesthetic. NOTHING was done wrong and the site will heal all by itself. When local anesthetic is injected into the palate, the solution blanches (turns the tissue white) and at times can cause this small area of necrosis. It is not common, but does happen. I would not rinse with salt water, but rather try using something like OraGel to help with the discomfort. Don't worry...give it some time and it will heal.

Answer 2

They're not burns, per se, but they are caused by the novocaine injections and they do hurt quite a bit. I had an impacted wisdom tooth removed about a month ago and experienced something similar on day 5-6 after surgery. The oral surgeon has to use an absolutely HUGE needle to inject novocaine for this procedure (like 5-10 times the amount the dentist usually injects before filling a cavity), and yes, the needle can leave painful marks/sores. You usually don't notice it for the first few days because the extraction site is much more painful. The fact that you're feeling it now actually means that your extraction is healing nicely. My pain from the injection sites lasted until day 9 or 10. If it doesn't heal by then, get an appointment with the oral surgeon (who may grumble about it, because he doesn't get any extra money for a post-op checkup, but make him see you anyway).

In the meantime, keep rinsing with warm salt water 4-5 times a day (you should be doing this anyway for your extraction sites). You can also use a topical analgesic like Anbesol, Orajel, or the like if you just can't stand it anymore. I tried Orajel, which did eliminate the pain for a few hours, but also got all over the rest of my mouth and caused weird numb spots that just weren't worth the trouble.

Answer 3

I agree with the answer about warm salt water. It helps a lot - just use a little salt in a glass of warm tap water. Your mouth should heal soon and if it doesn't then go to see your regular dentist who may be able to get you some relief.

I've never heard of Novocain injection burns at all.

Answer 4

Haven't had the trouble myself, but the solution I've been told for any type of mouth sore, by my dentist AND my mother (so it must be right!) is to rinse the mouth with a warm salt-water solution on a regular basis. This will help draw out the irritation and help it heal faster.

Answer 5

Call and see your doctor who did your surgery immediately. You are probably having a bad infection, and you want to treat that A.S.A.P. Every doctor who does any kind of surgery (even wisdom teeth) should do a check up appointment the following week or so. I can't believe he wouldn't see you again after you told him this. That's crazy!

Answer 6

I had my wisdom teeth pulled and didnt have anything like that but it kinda sounds like dry socket! You should ask about that! Novocaine is suppose to numb NOT burn theres something wrong with that!

Answer 7

The first answer is correct, using warm salt water (rinsing your mouth ) regularly during the day will help significantly!