Getting Rid of Gum Disease

Most patients leave the dental office with a sense of great relief at having a procedure completed. It's easy to see why they are relieved, but things can become a bit troubling once their pain medication begins to wear off and their mouth returns to normal. It can be difficult to deal with the sensations after the numbing shot wears off, so read on to find out what is normal after a procedure.

It's normal to feel a bit nauseous – If your dental procedure was extensive enough to warrant intravenous (IV) medication, the aftereffects might include nausea. Some patients who are sensitive to such drugs can also feel sick after taking a relaxation sedative, like Zanax, before the procedure. Nausea can begin soon after you leave the dental appointment and make you feel bad for a few hours afterward. This very common side effect usually goes away, and you may or may not end up vomiting as a result. In addition to the use of medication, nervousness about a dental procedure can also make you nauseous. If you are still nauseous the following day, call your dentist.

Pain and temperature sensitivity – Once you regain full feeling in your mouth, you may notice anything from mild discomfort to pain. If the pain is severe or persists for several days, phone your dentist. Depending on the procedure, the dentist may need to check your mouth for an improperly fitted filling, nerve inflammation, or other issues. Other patients find that a new filling is sensitive to extreme temperatures at first. For the first few days, confine your choices to room-temperature foods and drinks. Soft foods rather than hard, crunchy foods are also preferable.

The numb feeling persists – Most numbing shots are supposed to be of a short-lived nature of only a few hours. If the procedure took longer than anticipated and more doses were needed, your mouth and lips could be numb for the remainder of the day. For example, if you are having a root canal procedure performed, you might have numbness for quite a while. Each person will regain feeling on a different timeline. There are some occasions where the numbing shot comes into contact with a certain nerve, and that nerve can be damaged as a result. Nerves can regenerate, given time, however. Some who are having wisdom-tooth removal are more prone to this type of nerve issue. If you are still feeling numb the day following a procedure, phone your dentist for guidance on how to proceed.

Most dental-procedure issues resolve themselves on their own. Call your dentist to find out more about what is normal and what is not.