After undergoing restorative dental care e.g., extractions, implants, or root canal therapy, you may experience some of the following changes in your mouth. By knowing what to expect beforehand, you are better prepared to handle them when they happen.
Numbness in the tongue
Numbness in the tongue after dental surgery may be brought about by a couple of factors. The most common is the anesthetic used during the procedure. Strong anesthetics numb the entire mouth to ensure that the patient doesn’t feel any pain, and the effect lasts for about 8 to 9 hours. Once it wears off, feeling returns to the tongue.
If you underwent a wisdom tooth extraction, the numbness may last longer than a few hours. This is because wisdom teeth are situated close to the tongue’s nerve. During the extraction process, too much contact with the nerve may cause lasting numbness. If it persists for more than 24 hours, schedule a follow-up appointment with your dentist.
A burning/tingling sensation
A tingling or burning sensation in the mouth is usually indicative of nerve irritation (or worse, damage). After dental surgery, however, tingling/burning is quite normal; it is a sign that the nerves are gradually healing. The sensation may last for a few days, but if it becomes too pronounced, get a prescription for anti-inflammatory drugs from a dentist.
Oversensitivity
The mouth will feel excessively sensitive in the days following dental surgery. This feeling is worsened on exposure to very hot or cold foods. This is perfectly normal and should subside as the nerves heal.
The mouth heals differently after surgery and it is important to stay on top of any major changes. If you live/work in Texas and require post-surgical dental care, visit Pearland Family Dentistry. Call 832-649-7344 to make an appointment.