Final answer:
The earliest symptom of local anesthetic toxicity is numbness and tingling around the mouth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The earliest symptom of local anesthetic toxicity is nervous system effects such as numbness and tingling around the mouth. Other symptoms may include metallic taste, tinnitus, and seizures. These symptoms can occur when local anesthetics block voltage-gated sodium channels, which are responsible for transmitting nerve signals.