How does Orajel work?
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Orajel is a benzocaine mixed with a gel so it stays where you put it. Benzocaine is a chemical cousin of cocaine. And it acts as a nerve blocker when applied to the gums.
See our nerves use positively charged sodium ions to induce a small electrical current across nerve cells. We call this current the “signal”. When you apply benzocaine to your gums it is absorbed into the blood and quickly binds to the nearest nerve cells blocking the “sodium channels” and preventing the signal from being sent. In this case it’s blocking the sensory nerves from sending pain and other touch signals to the brain for a time. However the benzocaine is eventually broken down by the body and the signal resumes.
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