At some time in life, we all need to visit the dentist to treat any sudden issue and maintain good oral health. Most of us need some kind of anesthesia when going for any type of oral procedure.
Usually, that consists of a few shots of novocaine inside the mouth to numb the affected area. This is the most common type of local anesthesia used by dentists. Many people don’t experience any unusual side effects from the anesthesia shots used during the dental procedures, but a few of us do.
Below is a list of the possible side effects of novocaine.
- Numbness in your mouth — Out of the other side effects of novocaine, this, in particular, is the one that we all want! It’s very common to experience this feeling after one or more shots of local anesthetic. That is actually the whole purpose of the local anesthesia – to numb the area of your mouth where your dentist or endodontist will be working. Many people also feel some numbness or tingling in and around the cheek or eye area. This may result in a slight drooping on the affected side of the face. But the good news is that these side effects are temporary and wear off shortly.
- Increased heartbeat – Some people experience an elevated heartbeat after a few shots of novocaine. Typically, this will wear off within a minute or so, but notify your oral surgeon if you experience this even for a short period.
- Inability to blink – Some people find it difficult to blink one eye after receiving a dose of novocaine. This side effect is very common in patients who receive a shot in the upper gums. If you are its victim, tell your dentist about it. He may use a painless tape to close your eyes during the procedure. This special type of tape helps to keep your eyes from drying out.
- Extended numbness and/or pain – In some extremely rare cases, a patient may feel pain or numbness lasting for weeks or even months. This can be a cause of nerve damage after an injection that directly hits a nerve. It sounds frightening, but not to worry, because a never damage due to a shot of novocaine is extremely rare.
- Swelling, breathing difficulties, nausea, dizziness, throat pain – These side effects rarely happen and indicate that the patient is allergic to the drug.
Fortunately, if any of the above reactions occur, your dentist is present to witness and give you immediate medical treatment.
Remember that novocaine’s most common side effect is the one we all WANT to experience: numbness in our mouths around the surgery site. In case you have any other less common side effects, tell your doctor right away.
Schedule an appointment with Pearland Family Dentistry by calling at 832-649-7344 .