Does drinking alcohol make it harder to get numb at the dentist?

Yes. Heavy, long-term alcohol use can make it harder to get fully numb during dental treatment. Even drinking alcohol shortly before your appointment may affect how long the numbing medicine lasts. This happens because alcohol changes how your nervous system responds over time and can interfere with the medication your dental provider uses to keep you comfortable. The good news is that most people can still be numbed effectively, and your provider has several ways to help.

What you'll learn in this article:

• Heavy, long-term alcohol use can change how your body responds to dental anesthetics — your provider may need to adjust their technique or dose

• Drinking before your appointment can cause numbing to wear off sooner than expected

• Your dental provider can adjust their approach, but only if they know your history

• Alcohol isn't the only factor that affects numbing — and all of them are manageable

If you have concerns about staying comfortable during dental treatment, schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider to discuss your options before your procedure.

Why alcohol can affect how well numbing works

Local anesthetics like lidocaine work by temporarily blocking nerve signals in the area being treated. They stop those signals from reaching your brain, so you don't feel the procedure.

Heavy, long-term alcohol use can change how your body responds to medications and dental treatment. However, the evidence does not clearly show that alcohol causes direct cross-tolerance to dental local anesthetics. Your dental provider may still need to adjust your care based on your health, liver function and response to the first injection.

That doesn't mean you can't be numbed. It simply means your dental provider may need to adjust the technique, give an extra injection or allow more time for the anesthetic to take full effect.

Does drinking the day of your appointment matter?

It does, but for a different reason. Alcohol widens your blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the area. Most dental numbing medicines contain a small amount of epinephrine, which narrows blood vessels to help keep the anesthetic where it's needed for longer.

If you've been drinking, the anesthetic may not stay in the treatment area as long, which can reduce how long the numbness lasts or how well it works.

There's also a safety concern. If you arrive at your appointment under the influence of alcohol, your dental provider may need to reschedule your visit. Alcohol can affect your judgment, cooperation and heart rate, and combining it with an anesthetic that contains epinephrine may place extra stress on your heart and blood vessels.

What happens when the first injection doesn't produce enough numbness?

Your comfort comes first. Your dental provider won't begin treatment until the area is numb. If the first injection isn't enough, there are several ways to improve the numbness.

Give another injection

A second or even third injection is common. Your provider may place it in the same area or at a slightly different angle.

Use a different technique

Some situations respond better to a nerve block than an injection near the treatment area. Your provider will choose the approach that's most likely to work for you.

Wait a little longer

Local anesthetics can take a few minutes to reach their full effect. Sometimes a little extra time is all that's needed.

Adjust the dose

Your dental provider may adjust the amount of anesthetic based on your health, the treatment area and how you respond, while staying within safe dosage limits.¹

None of these adjustments are unusual. They're all part of providing safe, comfortable dental care.

Other reasons some people are harder to numb

Alcohol is just one reason some people are harder to numb. Other factors can affect how well a local anesthetic works, too.

Anxiety

When you're anxious, your body releases adrenaline. This can make it harder for the anesthetic to work as well. Letting your dental provider know you're nervous and using simple relaxation techniques may help.

Infection or inflammation

An active infection can make it harder to get numb because infected tissue is more acidic. Local anesthetics don't work as well in an acidic environment. That's one reason your provider may recommend treating the infection before a more involved procedure.

Genetics

A small number of people have genetic differences that affect how their nerves respond to local anesthetics. If you've always had trouble getting numb, tell your dental provider before treatment. It can help them choose the best approach for your care.

What to tell your dental provider

The most useful thing you can do is be upfront. Providers don't judge — they plan. Knowing your alcohol history allows your provider to anticipate any challenges and adjust the approach before the appointment even begins, rather than troubleshooting mid-procedure. Let your provider know:

• How frequently you drink and roughly how much

• Whether you had any alcohol in the past 24 hours

• Whether you've had difficulty getting numb at any previous dental appointment

This conversation takes less than a minute and can make the entire experience noticeably smoother.

If you've ever had trouble getting numb—or you're worried alcohol could affect your treatment—an Aspen Dental provider can review your health history and adjust your care to help you stay comfortable.

Does drinking alcohol make it harder to get numb at the dentist? FAQs

Every situation is different, but these answers address many of the common questions people have about alcohol, local anesthetics and dental treatment.

Will I definitely need more anesthesia if I drink regularly?

Not necessarily. Mild to moderate drinking is unlikely to cause noticeable resistance to local anesthetics. Any difficulty with numbing is most relevant in people who drink heavily and consistently over a long period of time. Even then, effective numbing is almost always achievable — it may just require an adjusted approach. Your provider can make that call once they know your history.

Can I drink alcohol after a dental procedure?

It depends on the procedure. After a routine filling or cleaning, having a small amount of alcohol is unlikely to cause problems for most people. But if you've had a tooth extracted or another procedure that requires healing, it's best to wait. Alcohol can increase bleeding, slow healing and interact with pain medications or antibiotics that may be prescribed after oral surgery.

Your dental provider will give you aftercare instructions based on the treatment you received. If you're not sure when it's safe to drink alcohol, ask before you leave your appointment. A quick conversation can help you avoid problems while you heal.

Are there other substances that can also reduce how well numbing works?

Yes. Certain medications — including some pain medications and stimulants — can affect how anesthesia works or interacts with epinephrine. The right approach is the same regardless of the cause: share your complete health history, medications and any substance use with your dental provider before your appointment so they can plan your care safely.

Sources

¹National Institutes of Health / PubMed Central / Effect of acute and chronic alcohol abuse on pain management in a dental setting 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2703452/