A 32-year-old member asked:
What problems can occur when using local anaesthetics in mouth care?
6 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Rishi Kumaranswered
Anesthesiology 10 years experience
Numbness: Local anesthetics are used to temporarily block pain at the injection site, but they can spread to nearby structures as well. Dental anesthetics can cause difficulty with speech, eating, and occasionally eyelid drooping. Furthermore, numbness of the mouth can make one more prone to tongue, lip, or cheek biting, so it's important to remain aware of that possibility. Rarely infection from injection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Myra Skluthanswered
Internal Medicine 37 years experience
Numbness: When novacaine is used with Epinephrine isms is injected directly into nerve instead of next to it , numbness can develop. It can resolve over time.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. John Chastainanswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Varies: Oral anesthetics are generally very safe in oral care. They may burn initially, and if numb, it may be easier to cause trauma (e g bite your tongue and not feel it). Similarly, if the throat is numb and liquids are swallowed, aspiration (fluid going down the windpipe) is possible. High doses may cause systemic side effects (dizziness, nausea, ringing in the ears, or more serious effects).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Mark Sacheranswered
Pain Management 35 years experience
Rare side effects: Depends on the anesthetic. Cetacaine, benzocaine, and prilocaine can cause methemoglobin where your red blood cells cannot bind oxygen. This can cause chest pains, shortness of breath, heart attack, cardiac arrest. If local anesthetic has a high absorption in your blood vessels, this can lead to excitability, extreme anxiety, elevated heart rate or decreased heart rate, seizures, coma, and death.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Rishi Kumaranswered
Anesthesiology 10 years experience
Numbness: Local anesthetics are used to temporarily block pain at the injection site, but they can spread to nearby structures as well. Dental anesthetics can cause difficulty with speech, eating, and occasionally eyelid drooping. Furthermore, numbness of the mouth can make one more prone to tongue, lip, or cheek biting, so it's important to remain aware of that possibility.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Janet Wilczakanswered
Anesthesiology 33 years experience
Injected Local Anes: Allergic reaction to local; reaction to Epinephrine with injected local anesthetic causing heart rate acceleration and sudden feelings of stress; ineffective numbing despite drug infiltration; infection from flawed injection sterile technique or poor patient pre-existing immune system or poor post procedure oral care; post injection nerve damage causing persistent oral numbness or pain are a few.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Last updated Sep 3, 2017
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $44!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.