Numbness After Wisdom Tooth Removal
As periodontal professionals, we know that one of the most alarming side effects patients experience is numbness after wisdom tooth removal. This odd and concerning feeling can affect the lip, chin, or tongue and can last anywhere from 24 hours to a few months.
While numbness is common after the procedure, it’s important to recognize the difference between temporary symptoms and those that are more problematic and long-lasting. In this article, we will provide information to help you identify the type of numbness you are experiencing.
Numbness after wisdom tooth removal
Why does numbness occur after extraction?
The area surrounding your wisdom teeth is packed with nerves, so it should not come as a surprise that any major disturbance to the area can create unexpected side effects. That being said, numbness can occur for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common include:
• Local anesthesia: The most common cause of numbness is the lingering effect of local anesthesia, which can take up to a day or more to fully subside. It is extremely common to feel some numbness for a day or two after your procedure. This type of temporary numbness is not a cause for concern.
• Nerve bruising: A lot happens to the tooth, gum, and bone tissue during a wisdom tooth extraction. The nerves also encounter significant change, as they stretch and compress around the extraction site. The swelling that results from the procedure can confuse and interfere with the normal nerve function. As the inflammation subsides, the feeling of numbness should decrease as well, although it may not happen all at once or on the expected timeframe.
• Nerve injury: It is very rare, but in isolated cases, the nerves surrounding the wisdom tooth can be damaged. When this happens, it is typically because the tooth root is very close to an important nerve prior to the extraction.
When numbness is not concerning
In the vast majority of cases, lingering numbness is temporary. Typically, the numbness subsides within a few days. The critical thing to remember is that numbness should improve over time.
In the first 24 hours after extraction, any numbness that you experience is likely the result of the local anasthesia. If symptoms last for more than a week, you have probably suffered some nerve bruising. It’s important to monitor these symptoms to ensure that they improve over time.
When to seek professional dental care
If you experience any of the following, you should contact your dentist or periodontist and schedule a consultation:
• No improvement after 1-2 weeks: If the area remains completely numb without any change.
• Worsening symptoms: If the numbness increases in intensity over time or spreads to other areas of the face or mouth.
• Loss of taste: You should seek out a professional opinion if tongue numbness is accompanied by a total loss of taste. While loss of taste is often a temporary issue, it may also indicate that more serious nerve damage has occurred.
Sacramento Periodontics is here to help
We understand that any kind of face or mouth numbness can be frightening. While these symptoms are likely to pass with time, we would be happy to take a closer look during a comprehensive initial consultation. Our team will help you determine whether there is cause for concern and answer any questions you may have about your oral health.
Our team of professionals can provide peace of mind and caring expertise. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.