Numbness around the mouth, lips, and gums after wisdom tooth extraction
symptom
I am experiencing sensory abnormalities around my mouth, mainly on the left side of my mouth, lip, and gums, where I feel numbness. The symptoms began immediately after wisdom tooth extraction and are always present, although their intensity fluctuates somewhat. The abnormal sensation in my gums is particularly strong when brushing my teeth, and because I tend to chew on the right side in my daily life, I am experiencing a clicking sensation in my right temporomandibular joint. The symptoms are constantly bothersome and also make it difficult to speak. The oral surgeon who performed the extraction told me that I would get used to it, but no treatment has been provided.
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Visitors
Female
50's
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Period
February 2024 - March 2025
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Visit Frequency per week
2 - 3
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Number of Visits
10
Treatment and progress
During the initial physical examination, no significant external findings were observed. The treatment involved using acupressure points on the neck and hands. After the first treatment, the patient's ability to speak improved, and the numbness lessened the following day. Further changes were observed two days later, and with each subsequent treatment, the numbness decreased, and sensation around the mouth gradually returned. Eventually, the sensation changed to a tingling or stinging feeling in a small area, and after 10 treatments, the patient was almost completely cured. Subsequent treatments included adding acupressure points on the shins, but the treatment approach remained essentially the same.
Acupressure points used
Summary
Through the treatment, the sensory abnormalities around the mouth improved, and the impact on daily life was reduced. In particular, the improvement in ease of speaking and the reduction in numbness after the first treatment were remarkable. With repeated treatments, the symptoms gradually improved, and eventually, almost complete recovery was achieved. This case suggests the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for sensory abnormalities around the mouth.
