A numbing shot, also known as a local anesthetic, is a medication that is injected near a nerve to block pain signals from reaching the brain. Numbing shots are commonly used by dentists to numb the area around a tooth before performing a procedure. The duration of the numbing effect can vary depending on the type of anesthetic used, the individual's metabolism, and the location of the injection.
The most common type of local anesthetic used in dentistry is lidocaine. Lidocaine typically begins to take effect within 5-10 minutes and can last for up to 2 hours. However, the duration of the numbing effect can be shorter if the anesthetic is injected into an area with a lot of blood flow, such as the lips or tongue.
