Numbness after dental work...help!

[Beth**]

Ok, this is going to sound very strange but I am hoping that I am not the only person to experience this. I got a deep gum cleaning (scaling) on Tues. (today is Friday) and had like 10 (or more??) shots of novacaine for the work. I didnt feel a thing and the numbing worked! However...now it is three days later and my tongue is still very numb!!! Yes, only my tongue! Its not painful just very annoying and uncomfortable as I cant really taste anything or feel anything! It just feels very weird and is driving me nuts. I did call the dentist back and he just said it will eventually go away! He said that because they gave me so much novacaine that it may have hit a nerve and just went deep! He swears it will eventually go away although he said its possible it could last for up to a week. Every morning when I get up I am hoping it will be back to normal...but not so far!!!

I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and if anyone had any tips on how to help the sensation go away faster or feel better. Warm liquids and food do help the tingling sensation but of course it doesnt last!

Please tell me Im not crazy and that this is not isolated! I am sooo scared to get any other dental work done again due to this!

Thanks for listening,
Beth

[Nance77]

Hi Beth:
I have heard of this happening alot after dental work when novacaine was used, although it hasnt happened to me....It can take anywhere from weeks to months to totally clear up from what I have read..I guess everyone is different..
I also have to get a deep cleaning done, and was wondering how much you got done at once? I had it done in the past, and they did it a quad at a time, 4 different times I had to go back...Just wondering how it went for you (other than the numbness of your tongue) and if you had any pain while they were doing it and if you have any pain or soreness after? Its been so long since I had it done ( i have just had regular cleanings since) that I forget what its like
Thanks
Nancy

[Beth**]

Hi Nancy:

Thanks for the reply...although I think I will just go completely crazy if this thing w/my tongue lasts for months!!! Its maddening!!! During my appt. I got my whole mouth done at once. It was supposed to be half my mouth and the other half for another appt. but while in the middle of the cleaning (I was on nitris (SP??) oxide), she asked me if I wanted her to just finish it...and I was pretty out of it and feeling nothing so said...sure! This of course prompted the dentist to come in and give me more shots of novacaine for numbing on the other side of my mouth! The whole mouth (which looks great) took about three hours! During the procedure, I honestly only felt a slight discomfort in having to hold my mouth open for that period of time when I felt like I was drifting in and out of sleep! I do have sensitivity and soreness (and slight gum bleeding) now but honestly...its not that bad! The worst thing is the whole tongue thing! The bad thing is ....I hadnt been to the dentist in years before this and although it was a fairly good experience overall...I cant see myself volunteering for any future novacaine treatments as this tongue thing is sooooo annoying!

Good Luck.
Beth :0

[Ann123]

Tongue numbness is probably due to lingual nerve injury. An oralsurgeon might be willing to give you some medications; or a neurologist would.
As the other poster said it could clear up in weeks, or in rarer cases months.
best wishes for a speedy recovery,
Ann

[Beth**]

Thanks Ann:

What kind of meds would help this ???? Im honestly going crazy!! Im going on vacation for a family wedding early next week w/my whole family! I was so excited about being away for a week w/my husband and kids but now Im not really looking forward to it as I am thinking I will still have the numbness!!! Cant taste any food really!! So, do you think I should call my dentist (who did this work in the first place??) and get a referral to a neuro or oral surgeon??? I was planning to call Monday anyway if its not better by than....I keep still hoping I will wake up normal one day soon!

I know it seems silly but it really is uncomfy!!
Although I definately know it could be worse!

THe worst thing is just not knowing when it will go away!

Thanks to everyone for reading,
Beth