What Do Dentists Use to Numb Gums? A Simple Guide to Dental Numbing

Reviewed by Dr. Joe Dental, DDS

Table of Contents

Introduction: My First Experience with Numbing

I still remember the first time a dentist numbed my gums. I felt a bit nervous and had all sorts of questions: Would it hurt? How strange would it feel? What exactly was going into my mouth? Years later, after lots more dentist visits and a big curiosity about how things work, I learned a lot about what they use and how it all works.

If you’re a little uneasy or just want to know more before your next appointment, you’re not alone. To me, understanding what dentists do helps turn a scary day into one where I feel better—and you might, too. Here’s my guide, from my point of view as a patient who wants to know everything!

Topical Anesthetics: What Comes First

When I’m getting a small filling or a special cleaning, my dentist always starts easy—with a numbing cream or spray called a topical anesthetic. Here’s what I found out about them:

What Are Topical Anesthetics?

Think of topical anesthetics like putting ice on your gums. Dentists put them right on the gum with a cotton swab, a bit of gel, or a spray—no needles.

Common types:

• Benzocaine gel or spray (almost always around 20%)
• Lidocaine-prilocaine cream (like Oraqix)
• Cetacaine (a mix of benzocaine, butamben, and tetracaine)

The main job? Numb your gums a little so any shot doesn’t hurt as much, or help if you only need a light cleaning.

How Do They Work?

Topical anesthetics stop pain just on the surface, right where your nerve endings are. They don’t go deep, but after 30 seconds to a few minutes, your gums will tingle and go a little numb.

What I noticed:

• Benzocaine works fast and lasts about 15 minutes.
• Lidocaine gels need a minute or two, and last a bit longer.
• Oraqix, used for cleaning between teeth and gums, works fast, numbs for about 20 minutes.

My tip? Ask for the numbing gel before any shots. The pinch feels more like a poke this way.

Shots to Numb Gums: The Real Work

If you need more than a quick cleaning, you’ll need a shot with numbing medicine—what dentists call a local anesthetic. This is what really stops pain.

Why Use Numbing Shots?

From a small filling to pulling teeth, these shots block nerves from sending pain to your brain. Even though getting a shot sounds scary, with the gel first, I barely notice it.

The Kinds Dentists Use

I asked my dentists what’s in the needle. Here’s the simple list they shared:

• Lidocaine: The one they use the most. Fast, works well, numbs soft tissues for 3–5 hours.
• Articaine: Good for tough cases or thicker bone—acts fast, lasts a while.
• Mepivacaine: Sometimes used by itself, good for people with some heart problems.
• Bupivacaine: For longer dental work or when numbness is needed for more hours.
• Novocaine (Procaine): Once common, but not used much now—other choices work better and are safer.

Why Add Epinephrine?

Many dentists mix in a drug called epinephrine. Here’s why:

• It makes blood vessels smaller—so the numbing shot stays in one spot and lasts longer, and there’s less bleeding.
• Some people, like those with some heart health problems or pregnant women, may get shots without epinephrine.

I always tell my dentist my health history, and they double-check what’s best for me.

How Dentists Numb the Gums: Step by Step

Let me tell you what always happens when I need numbing. Knowing this makes it less scary.

Step 1: Topical Numbing Gel

First, the dentist dries my gum, puts on a little numbing gel. This helps the shot hurt less.

Step 2: Slow Shot

The dentist gets the syringe ready—usually with a very thin needle. They give the numbing shot slowly and steady. It feels like a small pinch, sometimes just some pressure after the gel.

Step 3: Aspiration

Here’s something cool: dentists pull back a bit on the needle to check they’re not in a blood vessel. This step makes everything safer.

Step 4: Where Do They Inject?

Dentists have two big tricks:

• Infiltration: For top teeth, they inject right near the spot.
• Nerve block: For bottom teeth, they numb a whole section by going for the main nerve. Feels weird at first, but works really well.

From start to finish, it takes about 5–10 minutes for your mouth to get fully numb.

What It Feels Like: My Own Experience

You probably wonder—what does numbing your mouth really feel like? Here’s my take.

Before and During

With the numbing gel, my gums start tingling, like they’re falling asleep. The shot feels like a tiny pinch or just a bit of pressure—not much pain.

A few minutes later, I notice:

• Numb lips and gums (sometimes tongue, too)
• Feels like my lip or cheek is huge, even though it’s not
• Tingling, maybe a tiny tickle in my cheek

I can still feel pressure, but not pain. The dentist checks by tapping or poking. If it’s not numb enough, they give a little more.

After the Dentist Is Done

Depending on the numbing shot I got, my mouth can stay numb from one to several hours.

What happens:

• Lips, cheeks, sometimes my tongue are numb or “floppy”
• It’s really easy to bite myself by mistake—so I avoid eating until it wears off
• Drinking hot stuff is risky (I burned myself once, never again)
• Talking can sound a little silly, but it’s kind of funny

How Long Does It Last?

• Lidocaine or Articaine: Numb for 1–5 hours.
• Mepivacaine (no epinephrine): Numbness gone quicker.
• Bupivacaine: My jaw once stayed numb for 7 hours after a tooth was pulled.

My hint: To help numbness wear off, I gently rub my cheek and move around—but always ask your dentist what’s okay for you.

Safety, Side Effects, and Things to Tell Your Dentist

Dentists care a lot about safety—there’s a reason they ask lots of questions. I sometimes get nervous about allergies or reactions, so I ask my dentist everything.

Is Dental Numbing Safe?

Most of the time, dental numbing is safe—even for kids, expecting moms, or people with long-term health problems. Dentists should always ask about your health history.

Usual Side Effects (From Me or Friends)

• Numbness: Obvious, but never lasts too long.
• Sore spot: Where the needle went in, maybe tender for a day.
• Fast heartbeat or feeling jittery: I learned this is usually from the epinephrine, not the numb shot itself.

Rare Side Effects (Just in Case)

• Allergic reactions: Super rare these days, especially with the newer types.
• Long-lasting numbness: It can happen but is not common; most times fades in a few weeks.
• Bruising: I got a small bruise once from a tricky shot, but it just looked funny.

Special Cases

• Heart problems: Always tell your dentist—they might use a shot without epinephrine.
• Pregnant: Most numbing shots are safe, but always let them know.
• On medicine: Some drugs mix with the numbing medicine—tell your dentist what you take.

The big lesson: tell your dental team anything new about your health or if something worried you before. It helps a lot.

Other Comfort Options

Sometimes numbing shots aren’t enough, like if you’re scared or it’s a big procedure. I’ve checked out some of these myself.

Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide)

Once, I tried laughing gas before my wisdom teeth came out. It didn’t numb my mouth but made me feel calm, mellow, and light. Good for making nerves go away without putting you to sleep.

Pills to Relax (Oral Sedation)

If going to the dentist makes you super worried, some places offer a pill to take before you go in. You’ll feel calm and maybe a bit sleepy, but you’re awake.

IV and Sleepy Shots

For bigger surgeries or folks really scared of dentists, there’s IV sedation or being fully asleep (general anesthesia). I haven’t had these but know people who say it made things much easier.

Mixing Comfort Methods

Some dental clinics—especially top-notch implant dental labs or digital dental labs—are really good at using a mix of numbing and relaxation. If you’re having something big done, don’t be shy—ask what can make things easier for you.

Final Thoughts: Talking with Your Dentist

If I could tell you one thing, it’s this: talking openly with your dentist is more important than any medicine or numbing shot. Ask questions, share your worries—it really helps.

Before you go, let them know:

• Any health issues or allergies
• If you’ve had bad reactions before
• How nervous you feel

Dentists use numbing medicines like Lidocaine and Articaine for all kinds of stuff—cleanings, fillings, tooth pulling, gum work. They’re safe, they work well, and your dental team will make sure you get what works best for you. For special work like crowns and bridges, your dentist and their lab work together to keep you comfy and pain free.

If you still feel nervous, ask about the numbing gel, needle-free options, or laughing gas. Don’t worry—the numb feeling fades, but your healthy, pain-free mouth will stick around.

References and Professional Review

This guide was reviewed by Dr. Joe Dental, DDS, with over 20 years of practice and work on patient education about dental numbing.

No need to fear the numb—your dentist, their helpers, and a little bit of science are all working to help you. I hope reading this turns “the unknown” into something you can face. Here’s to brave, bright smiles!