We’ve all been there. It was a great dentist appointment, but Novocaine was used. Now that you’re out of the dentist and back at work, your face is still numb. You just want it to wear off. What can you do?

You’ll be happy to know that you can use strategies to speed the process along and restore your face to normal feeling and functionality.

How Does Novocaine Work

Before you can get the Novocaine to wear off, you should understand how this famous anesthetic drug works. Novocaine is a local anesthetic that eases pain. It was the first injectable man-made local anesthetic. It works by blocking the nerves that send pain signals to the brain. By doing its job, Novocaine makes treatment comfortable and (virtually) pain-free. Novocaine can be used for root canals, fillings, cosmetic procedures, extractions, and more.

How Long Does Novocaine Last?

The effects of Novocaine can vary, depending on how much is used and other factors. Typically speaking, most people experience the effects of Novocaine for about two hours after the injection is made. However, the effects of Novocaine can be felt for up to 5 hours after the injection.

How to Get Novocaine to Wear Off Faster

When you don’t have 3 to 5 hours to wait for the Novocaine to wear off, you can do many helpful things to speed the process along. The trick is to increase blood flow to the area where the procedure occurred.

• Massage the area. Massaging helps increase blood flow; however, this is only an option if your procedure wasn’t serious and you aren’t experiencing pain or swelling. Ask your dentist if this is an acceptable way to manage the effects of Novocaine. If you just had a serious dental surgery, your dentist might advise against this method.
• Do something physical. Go for a walk, bike, or jog to get the blood moving in your system. Again, don’t do anything that would contradict your dentist’s recommendations for recovery after your procedure. If your dentist recommended rest, this is not the best option for you.
• Apply a warm compress. Heat will increase the blood flow to the area, which will help the Novocaine wear off. You can either buy a warm compress or make one at home by soaking a towel in hot water, wringing it out, and holding it gently against your face. Ask your dentist before putting a warm compress on your face.

Many Dentists Don’t Use Novocaine

Novocaine is no longer used by many dentists. Lidocaine is the product that has replaced Novocaine because it contains less allergens, is faster-acting, and is longer-lasting. It’s also listed on the WHO list of essential medicines – it’s an excellent medication.

Solis Dental for Sedation Dentistry

Solis Dental provides safe sedation dentistry for people who need it. Our experienced dental professionals administer comfortable and effective dental procedures to patients of all ages. To find out more about how our experienced dental professionals can make treatments easier and more comfortable for you, call today