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1147 Clear Lake City Blvd, Houston, TX 77062

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Can You Drive After A Root Canal?

  • June 30, 2025
  • 88 Views

Root canals are performed under local anesthesia. This means the treatment area is numbed using medication, allowing you to stay fully awake and alert throughout the procedure. Due to the anesthetic options involved, many patients are concerned about whether they can drive home after a root canal. Let’s discuss further in this blog.

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    Effects of Anesthesia After a Root Canal

    After a root canal, local anesthesia can make your mouth feel numb for a few hours.

    While this numbness is active, your reflexes and coordination might not be normal, which can make driving unsafe. Some people also feel dizzy or light-headed after the procedure.

    If you had sedation or general anesthesia (which is rare for root canals), you should not drive for 12 to 24 hours because it can affect your thinking and movement.

    Also, if your dentist gives you strong pain medicine (like narcotics), it can make you sleepy and slow down reflexes, so it’s best not to drive.

    However, it is important to note that everyone reacts to anesthesia differently. If you feel active and comfortable, you can take a shot at driving yourself home.

    When Is It Not Safe To Drive?

    Here is when driving is a complete no-no:

    • You feel dizzy
    • You have blurred vision
    • You experience tingling in the limbs
    • Your reflexes are slow

    Questions About Can You Drive After A Root Canal? ?

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    When Is It Safe to Drive?

    Here is when driving is considered safe:

    • · If you only had local anesthesia and feel fully awake and okay, you can usually drive yourself home
    • If you have had nitrous oxide (laughing gas), wait about 15 to 30 minutes until you feel completely alert before driving

    Alternate Options For Driving Home

    You might want to make arrangements prior, knowing that you won’t feel fully confident about driving after a root canal. Here are some tips to consider:

    1. Tag a friend or family member along with you to the dentist’s clinic. They can drive for you.
    2. Wait until the numbness has completely worn off and you feel confident.
    3. Arrange an Uber back home.

    How Long Should I Wait Before Driving After A Root Canal With Local Anesthesia?

    If your root canal was done with just local anesthesia, you can usually drive yourself home once you feel awake and okay. The numb feeling goes away in a few hours and doesn’t normally affect driving. But it’s best to wait until the numbness in your lips, tongue, or cheeks starts to go away, so you don’t accidentally bite yourself or have trouble controlling your movements while driving.

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    Overall Insight

    Root canal is performed under local anesthesia. Once it wears off and you feel active and confident, you may drive. However, if you feel dizzy and altered, it might be better to find a ride or call a family member to drive for you.

    If you have more questions, refer to our dentists at Lifeline Dental Emergency and Family Care. Call us at (281) 409-3777.