Can dental work with local anesthetic cause loss of taste?

Anesthetic: It is possible that you lose taste but it is not permanent and you should regain it right after. Some medication and smoking are other known factors for loss of taste.

Dr Achong and another doctor agreed

For a couple hours: Local anesthetics do cause loss of all sensations including taste for a few hours (depends on type of anesthetic). But the loss of taste shouldn't be beyond the few hours on the day of dental work.

Dr Jones agreed

It can but temporary: Can cause loss of taste for a few hours but usually the taste sensation returns after this.

Yes: The administration of local anesthesia for dental work in the lower jaw can cause or diminish the sensation of taste which is usually restored when the local anesthetic wears off. Surgical removal of a wisdom tooth in the lower jaw has an associated risk of nerve involvement that can also affect the taste sensation.

Dr Gelin agreed

The nerves that are: Anesthetized for dental procedures are from the 5th cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve). Taste nerves are from the 7th cranial nerve (facial nerve) for the anterior 2/3's of the tongue. Changes in taste/ lack of taste here are usually related to issues with the 7th nerve. There is no specific connection with normal dental local anesthesia and taste changes. Hope this helps. Please see your doctor!