We all know that teeth have a sense of touch and are alive and conscious. The teeth are kept alive by a network of arteries and nerves that runs through them. Many of us get a mild toothache after eating a very cold dessert, which shows that the teeth are still functional. But what if one day the teeth suddenly feel numb? Will the tooth crack once more due to the loss of feeling and perception?

Teeth have numerous layers. Enamel, the tooth’s white outer layer, is the outermost layer. Afterward, there is the pulp and dentin. Living tissue can only be found in the pulp. The substance is tooth meat. It keeps our teeth alive. Blood vessels and nerves that cause tooth sensation are found in the pulp. The flesh is impacted if an infection develops and causes gum disease or tooth decay. The tooth is harmed as a result and may become numb.

Read more: Why Do My Teeth Feel Weird—Reasons&Treatments – Tips for Health Care

Causes: Why Are Your Teeth Numb?

Hypocalcemia

Hypocalcemia, a low level of calcium in the blood, can cause tooth numbness around the mouth or in other parts of the body, reports the Cleveland Clinic: People without parathyroid glands or with severe vitamin D deficiency are most likely to experience this condition.

Psychological Conditions

According to a Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research article, psychological conditions can result in tooth numbness in the mouth. People who suffer from depression or anxiety disorders may experience psychogenic oral paresthesia, which frequently affects the tongue.

Hypoglycemia

The Cleveland Clinic explains that one of the potential signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is tooth numbness. People who take insulin or other medications to control their diabetes may be affected. Low blood sugar can be caused by a variety of things, including skipping meals, taking too many prescription drugs, or not eating enough carbohydrates.

Multiple Sclerosis

An illness of the central nervous system called multiple sclerosis can make your teeth numb in your face or other areas. This numbness can be mild to severe, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In mouth-related conditions, people may unintentionally bite their tongues or the insides of their cheeks while eating.

Vitamin Deficiency

A numb mouth could also be brought on by vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies. These vitamins, according to the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, help maintain the health of your nerves; consequently, if you don’t get enough of them, you might feel like your nerves are on pins and needles.

Treatment: How to Deal With Numb Teeth?

You have a variety of options for treating any tooth numbness you may be experiencing. Here are our top five recommendations.

Wiggle Your Jaw

Here’s a trick that works like magic if you’ve been waiting for a while and still experience some numbness in your mouth and jaw: gently move your jaw in any direction you can think of, including left and right, up and down, in circles, and any other direction you can imagine. Any facial numbness that might still exist will be reduced as a result, restoring your sense of normalcy.

Massage Your Lips Or Cheeks

Once the numbness has subsided, try applying light pressure to your lips and cheeks. Use your hands or a soft towel to accomplish this. Be gentle when using this technique because the goal is to increase blood flow to these areas and thereby eliminate the numbness without causing any harm. A massage near your mouth or in the area where you are injecting is not advised. Additionally, you might not want to massage your neck.

Wait for It to Be Over

Following your procedure, the area that was treated will feel somewhat numb. The anesthetic may completely wear off after up to four hours. You can either wait until you need to do something that involves using your mouth, like eating, before checking the time by looking at a clock or watch. Always keep in mind that waiting too long is preferable to waiting too little.

Distract Attention

Although this approach won’t make you feel any less numb, it will assist in shifting your attention to other things. Try diverting your attention to something else instead of concentrating on lessening the numbness. Consider solving a puzzle, engaging in a game, or reading a book. Before you know it, enough time will have passed for the anesthesia to completely wear off.

Move Your Tongue from Side to Side

By stimulating the facial nerves, shifting your tongue from one side to the other can help the numbness go away. This can be done for up to five minutes. You won’t have to wait as long for the tingling or itching sensation in your mouth because this will help the numbness go away more quickly.

Tips for Preventing Teeth from Numbness

It’s not always possible to prevent a numb tooth, but there are some things you can do to lower your risk.

• Maintain good dental hygiene. You should floss once a day a minimum and brush your teeth twice daily.
• A six-monthly dental checkup is recommended. Dental hygiene maintenance can help avert issues before they arise. Before the decay gets to your pulp, your dentist can spot the early warning signs of tooth decay and treat them.
• If you play a contact sport, such as hockey or boxing, you should always wear a mouth guard to prevent damage to your teeth.
• Be sure to eat healthfully. The consumption of a lot of sugary foods can raise your risk of developing tooth decay.
• Especially after meals, sip on water. Between brushings, water can assist in cleaning off bacteria from your teeth.

Final Thoughts

Never forget that numbness following dental work is typical and should disappear in a few hours. The anesthesia will go away on its own, but it is best to see your dentist just to be safe if you have any concerns about any symptoms. Contact your dentist right away if you experience pain following a dental procedure that does not go away or worsens over time.

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