Novocaine Side Effects
“Novocaine” (or novocain) the numbing medication which is used by most dentists to eliminate pain during dental procedures, consists of procaine hydrochloride, a local anesthetic.
Does Novocaine Have Any Side Effects?
This anesthetic is preferred by dentists as it acts quickly, wears off within hours of the procedure, and has a low incidence of side-effects. That being said, as with any medication, there is still a slight chance that side effects may occur after injection with Novocaine. Serious side effects are rare; the most common side effects are mild and include numbness, tingling, and minor pain around the injection site. These side effects should resolve themselves within hours of the injection; in some cases, depending on where the injection is placed (the jaw joint is often more sensitive), slight pain may persist for a few days afterwards.
In rare cases, people may experience an allergic reaction to Novocaine and experience more severe side-effects such as difficulty breathing, swelling, hives, or closing of the throat. These symptoms require immediate medical treatment. Some people may also experience chest pain or irregular heartbeats, dizziness or drowsiness, anxiety, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, trembling, or seizures. If you have any of these symptoms after dental work, be sure to visit your health care provider right away.
Before being injected with Novocaine, tell your dentist about any medications you are using (either over the counter or prescription) in order to help minimise the risk of interactions. You should also discuss any health conditions you currently have before proceeding. This will help your dentist to gauge whether or not it is safe to use Novocaine injections while performing dental work.