Why can't I feel my bottom lip after wisdom teeth removal?

Numbness in your bottom lip after wisdom teeth removal is common, often due to temporary swelling or bruising of the inferior alveolar nerve (which supplies feeling to lip/chin), typically resolving in days, weeks, or months as nerves heal, but it can sometimes indicate more significant nerve irritation from tooth proximity. While often temporary (like a prolonged numbing shot), contact your oral surgeon if it persists past a few days to a week, especially if it feels permanent, as they can assess if it's normal healing or requires intervention like steroids or observation.

Is it normal to not feel your bottom lip after wisdom teeth removal?

Yes, it's very normal for your lower lip (and chin/tongue) to feel numb or tingly after wisdom teeth removal, often due to temporary nerve irritation or pressure from swelling, typically resolving in days or weeks, but contact your oral surgeon if numbness persists beyond a week or you're concerned. This sensation happens because the nerve supplying your lip runs close to the wisdom tooth roots, and it can get compressed or bruised during extraction. 

Why is my bottom lip numb after surgery?

Your bottom lip is likely numb after surgery because nerves supplying that area (like the mental nerve) were stretched, bruised, or slightly damaged during the procedure, often from oral/jaw surgery, causing temporary inflammation or disrupted signals, though it usually resolves as nerves heal over weeks or months, with most healing within 8 weeks. Lingering local anesthesia or pressure on nerves from positioning can also cause numbness. 

How long should my lip be numb after surgery?

In some cases, the numbness lasts for up to 3 days. In cases where nerves are inadvertently cut during surgery, numbness can last up to several weeks. Post-surgery numbness that does not go away after a month warrants assessment, as this points to severe nerve damage.

When should I worry about lip numbness?

Nerve damage, can cause lip numbness, potentially stemming from nutritional deficiencies, toxic chemical exposure, or certain disorders. If lip numbness is accompanied by any severe symptoms, like breathing difficulties or swelling around in lips or mouth, get emergency medical care.

Cant feel your lip or chin after wisdom teeth removal?

How do you know if you have nerve damage after wisdom teeth removal?

To know if you have nerve damage after wisdom teeth removal, watch for persistent numbness, tingling, or "pins and needles" in your tongue, lips, chin, or gums, plus potential difficulty speaking or chewing, sharp electric-shock pain, or altered taste, especially if these sensations last longer than a few days or weeks and don't improve as expected with normal healing. While temporary numbness is normal, lingering issues beyond a few weeks or months (especially over three months) signal potential nerve injury needing prompt dental attention. 

How do I get rid of numbness in my lower lip?

One simple yet effective way to help your mouth regain sensation more quickly is by gently massaging the affected area. Using your fingertips, softly massage your cheeks, lips, or jaw in slow, circular motions. Doing so encourages blood circulation in the numb area, promoting quicker restoration of normal sensation.

How do I know if the dentist hit a nerve?

If a dentist hit a nerve, you'll likely feel prolonged numbness, tingling, or a burning/electric shock sensation in your lip, tongue, or jaw, along with sharp, lingering pain, extreme sensitivity (hot/cold/pressure), or difficulty with chewing/speaking, which often lasts longer than expected after the procedure and doesn't improve within a few days. 

What are the signs of nerve damage after surgery?

Tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, or burning are the most common signs and symptoms of nerve damage after surgery. Numbness is the most annoying and troubling problem caused after surgery. It is basically losing sensation in a particular area of the body that affects a person's lifestyle.

What are the red flags after wisdom teeth removal?

A salty, metallic, or bad taste in the mouth is a red flag and could possibly be a sign of an infection after your wisdom teeth removal. This taste change is mostly due to bacterial presence or pus in the surgical site.

Can nerve damage from tooth extraction be repaired?

Yes, nerve damage from tooth extraction can often be repaired or improve, especially if it's mild bruising, but it depends on the severity: minor irritation (bruising/inflammation) heals naturally over weeks/months with care, while severe damage (severed nerves) needs prompt specialist care (meds, physical therapy, potentially microsurgery/grafting) to manage symptoms like numbness or pain, though complete return of function isn't always guaranteed, notes this dental surgery site and this dental blog.
 

How do I tell if I got nerve damage?

Nerve damage symptoms often include numbness, tingling (pins and needles), burning, or sharp pain, alongside muscle weakness, twitching, cramps, or clumsiness, affecting balance and coordination. You might also experience issues with functions like digestion, sweating, bladder control, or sexual function, depending on which nerves (sensory, motor, or autonomic) are damaged, notes UF Health, Mayo Clinic, and WebMD.
 

Can anesthesia cause nerve damage?

Yes, anesthesia can cause nerve damage, though it's uncommon, leading to temporary or sometimes permanent pain, numbness, or weakness, often from direct injury during injection (especially with regional blocks), prolonged pressure on nerves from positioning during surgery, or rare complications like spinal cord injury, with risk factors including certain medical conditions like diabetes, smoking, and older age.
 

How to encourage nerve regeneration?

Continuous training (slow walking at 10 meters/min for one hour per day) was effective in promoting nerve regeneration in males but not females and interval training (four repetitions of short sprints at 20 meters/min for 2 minutes following by 5 minutes of rest) was effective in females and not males.

What does nerve damage in the lip feel like?

Nerve damage in the lip feels like persistent numbness, tingling, or a "pins and needles" sensation, often described as heavy, weird, or like the area is dead, potentially accompanied by burning, aching pain, hypersensitivity to touch/temperature, and altered sensation (like the feeling after dental anesthesia wears off). It can also manifest as weakness, muscle spasms, altered taste, or difficulty speaking/eating, depending on the nerve involved, and can stem from injury, dental work, or underlying conditions.
 

What is the 3-3-3 rule for toothache?

The 3-3-3 rule for a toothache is a temporary pain management strategy: take 3 tablets of 200mg ibuprofen (600mg total) every 3 hours for up to 3 days, primarily to control inflammation, but it's essential to see a dentist as it's not a cure, and always consult a doctor first. Some variations also mention using soft foods and a soft toothbrush for 3 days to avoid irritation. 

How do dentists fix nerve damage?

Surgery. There are several surgical procedures that can be done to treat dental nerve damage. Most of these surgical procedures work by reducing pressure on the pain, causing nerves, or by cutting pain signals that are relayed to the brain. One such procedure is necrolysis, which can be done internally or externally.

Why is my bottom lip permanently numb?

Numbness in the bottom lip can sometimes be a symptom of a serious condition, such as nerve issues or even cancer. It is important to see a doctor if you experience this symptom.

When should I go to the ER for facial numbness?

If you experience persistent numbness that lasts more than a few minutes, particularly if accompanied by weakness, difficulty speaking, or facial drooping, seek immediate medical help. These symptoms may signal a stroke or nerve damage, necessitating swift intervention.

How long does it take for a numb lip to go away?

Lip numbing usually lasts 1 to 8 hours, depending on the type of anesthetic (like shorter-acting lidocaine vs. longer-acting bupivacaine), the amount used, the procedure's complexity (fillings vs. extractions), injection site, and individual metabolism, with common dental numbing fading in a few hours but longer-acting shots lasting much longer, often requiring care to avoid biting your lip until sensation returns fully. 

How long will my bottom lip be numb after wisdom teeth removal?

Your bottom lip numbness after wisdom teeth removal usually fades within hours to a day from the anesthetic, but if it lingers past 24 hours, it can be due to nerve inflammation or bruising, often resolving in days or weeks, though severe cases might take months, with most numbness improving gradually, but you should contact your oral surgeon if it persists for over a week. 

Can you sue a dentist for nerve damage after wisdom teeth removal?

Yes, you can sue for nerve damage after wisdom teeth removal, but it's a dental malpractice claim that requires proving the dentist was negligent and failed to meet the standard of care, causing your specific injury, which isn't always the case as some nerve injuries are known risks, though a lawyer can assess if negligence was a factor. To build a case, you'll need strong evidence like medical records, expert opinions, and proof the injury led to significant pain, suffering, or financial loss, with common claims involving the lingual or inferior alveolar nerves resulting in numbness, tingling, or loss of taste/speech. 

Why no ibuprofen after tooth extraction?

You should avoid ibuprofen after a tooth extraction because its blood-thinning effects can interfere with essential blood clot formation, increasing bleeding and significantly raising the risk of a painful condition called dry socket, where the clot dislodges, exposing bone and nerves, and potentially delaying healing. While ibuprofen (an NSAID) is good for inflammation, the body needs that initial inflammatory process to clear debris and start healing; disrupting it hinders recovery and can lead to complications like dry socket, making alternatives like acetaminophen or dentist-recommended combinations more suitable. 

How do you know if you have nerve damage from dental anesthesia?

Symptoms of nerve damage after a dental injection include prolonged numbness, tingling (paresthesia), burning, sharp/stabbing pain (often electric-like), or loss of sensation in the tongue, lips, chin, or gums, potentially affecting chewing, speaking, and taste. While temporary numbness is normal, symptoms persisting beyond a few days or weeks, or involving significant discomfort, warrant a dentist visit, as nerve injury, though rare, can sometimes happen from needle trauma.
 

What is the rule of 3 in a nerve injury?

The rule of 3's for nerve injury: Sharp, clean nerve injuries should be explored and repaired within 3 hours. Ragged, contusion injuries should have the ragged ends bound to a nearby anatomical structure immediately, then be repaired within three weeks. Closed injuries should be repaired within three months.