A body of research shows that over-the-counter pain relievers work just as well as—or better than—than opioids for most people, with far fewer side effects. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin IB, and generic and naproxen Aleve and generic , work particularly well against dental pain because they block the enzyme that causes your gums to become red and swollen, says Paul A.
Acetaminophen Tylenol and generic works through a different mechanism to reduce your perception of pain, he says. The combination of an NSAID and acetaminophen works well against even moderate to severe pain in people who have had their wisdom teeth removed—better, in fact, than an opioid for most people.
Another advantage to OTC pain relievers is that, in general, they cause far fewer side effects than narcotic pain meds. Prescription opioids commonly cause nausea, constipation, drowsiness, and a fuzzy-headed feeling. In addition, taking the drugs longer-term or in higher doses carries more serious risks, including addiction, overdose, and even death. People undergoing any kind of dental surgery should ask what treatments are available and communicate their preferences for pain control when making a plan with their dentist or oral surgeon, Dionne says.
Most people who take blood thinners or who have advanced kidney disease should avoid NSAIDs, for example. So get written instructions for how much of each type of medication to take and how often to take it. For example, your dentist can use a long-acting local anesthetic to keep you numb longer and inject a steroid to reduce swelling. You can apply cool packs when you get home and take an NSAID before the anesthetic wears off to start controlling inflammation as soon as possible.
The experts CR consulted advise tailoring your treatment to your level of pain, adjusting your medications as the pain recedes. If you need further relief, you can add mg to mg of acetaminophen one pill of regular- or extra-strength Tylenol, respectively. Pradeep Choudhary - May 15, What is Etizola?
Used mainly to prevent or treat conditions like depression, anxiety, panic attacks and sleep disorders. Memory loss, visual disturbances and changes in Pradeep Choudhary - April 18, Pradeep Choudhary - April 16, Pradeep Choudhary - April 10, Acetaminophen is sold by itself and is often also included in other medications. So be sure to discuss taking it with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to avoid exceeding the recommended daily dose or experience drug interactions.
In large doses, acetaminophen may lead to liver damage. Because of its effect on the liver, you should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this pain reliever. An old folk remedy suggests that placing aspirin on a tooth relieves pain. Unfortunately, this is not true and can further damage your teeth. So be sure to swallow the pill as directed. The pain will subside soon.
As an alternative to pain medication, you can try a few other things to find temporary relief:. Ibuprofen is the most commonly recommended pain reliever for dental pain. Ibuprofen isn't appropriate for everyone, though. For example, people who take certain medications or have certain health conditions need to avoid NSAIDs.
Acetaminophen is another pain reliever. However, acetaminophen does not reduce inflammation. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider, dentist, or pharmacist before taking any OTC pain reliever.
They can help you determine the correct dose and confirm that the medication does not interfere with your other prescribed drugs. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
Pozzi A, Gallelli L. Pain management for dentists: the role of ibuprofen. Ann Stomatol Roma. Updated July 15, Updated April 15, We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. A toothache is a painful annoyance, especially at night. Getting a toothache at night can make falling asleep or staying asleep very difficult. However, there are a number of remedies that may help people find relief and get to sleep, including taking pain relievers or applying a cold compress or even cloves to the tooth.
Treating a toothache at night may be more difficult, as there is not much to distract a person from the pain. Taking over-the-counter OTC pain medications such as acetaminophen Tylenol or ibuprofen Advil is a quick, simple way for many people to effectively reduce mild-to-moderate toothaches.
If the toothache is severe, it is best to see a dentist and speak to them about stronger pain relievers. Applying a bag of ice wrapped in a towel to the affected side of the face or jaw helps constrict the blood vessels in the area, which can reduce pain to allow a person to fall asleep. Applying a cold compress to the area for 15—20 minutes every few hours in the evening may also help prevent pain when going to bed.
Pooling blood in the head may cause additional pain and inflammation. For some people, elevating the head with an extra pillow or two may relieve the pain enough for them to fall asleep. Some medicated ointments may also help reduce toothache pain.
OTC numbing gels and ointments that contain ingredients such as benzocaine may numb the area. Salt water is a natural antibacterial agent , so it may reduce inflammation.
This, in turn, helps protect damaged teeth from infection. Rinsing with salt water may also help remove any food particles or debris stuck in the teeth or gums. Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that generally occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene. It can cause issues such as soreness, bleeding gums, and teeth that come loose in their sockets. The author of a study found that rinsing with hydrogen peroxide mouthwash helped reduce plaque and symptoms of periodontitis.
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