Tooth Pain and Effective OTC Pain Relief Active Ingredients

Helpful Dental Information Chicago, IL

Tooth pain can color your every waking moment, affecting your sense of wellbeing. The pain serves a purpose, though. It is telling you to get help because something is wrong in your mouth. Tooth pain can also happen as you heal from a dental procedure.

The fact that tooth pain always has a cause and sometimes a purpose does not mean that you have to learn to live with it. Pain management allows you to get on with your life as you seek treatment. A common way to manage toothache is with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. Find out how analgesics deal with different levels of pain.

Types of tooth pain and what they look like

Dental pain can be mild, moderate or debilitating. Some kinds of dental pain only cause discomfort for a few minutes each day. Tooth sensitivity falls under this category. Similarly, acute pain from tooth decay acts up at certain times, often becoming more bothersome at night.

There is also the steady, constant pain that comes with chronic conditions like sinusitis, teeth grinding, a bad bite or an impacted wisdom tooth. This type of pain is often dull and seems to affect an entire section of the mouth. Post-surgical pain often falls under this category, despite only lasting a short while

It follows that each type of tooth pain requires a custom approach to pain management. For example, tooth sensitivity may not require pain medication, but rather deep breaths and a visit to the dentist.

Over-the-counter drugs for pain relief and their active ingredients

Besides invasive procedures like periodontal surgery, dentists will prescribe over-the-counter drugs for dental pain. The most common of these drugs are:

  • Ibuprofen is an analgesic, its active ingredient is itself and the market has generic forms of ibuprofen, as well as brand versions
  • Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, just like ibuprofen; its active ingredient is itself; and it's available as a generic or branded drug
  • Paracetamol or acetaminophen offers relief from dental pain but lacks anti-inflammatory properties, its active ingredient is itself; and it is available as a generic drug or as a branded product

A dentist will adjust the dosage of any one of these analgesics to match the intensity of their patients’ pain.

When to use OTC medication for tooth pain

Over-the-counter pain medication is a short-term fix. A person dealing with dental pain should only use it for a limited amount of time as they await or undergo treatment. Extended use of painkillers can affect the body in different ways. For example, long-term use of ibuprofen can result in:

  • An increase of acid production in the stomach, which could progress to ulcers and bleeding
  • Strain on the kidneys as they try to flush out substances that should not be in the body for extended periods
  • Adverse effects on the circulatory system, including decreased hemoglobin

A person recovering from a dental procedure only needs OTC analgesics for a short time. Discomfort from the procedure tends to go away in a matter of weeks. A person who takes painkillers while putting off a visit to the dentist is at risk of the drawbacks listed above.

Pain medication is a temporary fix, so get to the root of tooth pain

Long-term use of pain medication for tooth pain could have unwanted effects. If you are dealing with acute dental pain, call our offices today. Our dentist has a wealth of experience that they can use to eliminate your pain for good.

Request an appointment here: https://smilesonmichigan.com or call Smiles On Michigan at (312) 509-9492 for an appointment in our Chicago office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Helpful Dental Information in Chicago, IL.

Recent Posts

5 Toothache Remedies To Try At Home

A toothache is a painful condition that occurs in and around the teeth and jaws and may be caused by tooth decay, inflammation, missing or broken fillings, or receding gums. It is advisable to see a dentist right away if the pain persists for more than a day or two. Before going to the dental…

Need Dental Information? We Can Help

People often fall for false dental information and miss out on the chance for proper dental hygiene.From brushing your teeth to regular dental checkups and everything in-between, you need helpful dental tips to maximize your oral health care routine. For instance, did you know there's a proper way to brush your teeth? In this video,…

What Is A Canker Sore?

Also termed aphthous ulcers, canker sores are small, painful lesions that form on the soft tissues in the mouth and gum base or throat. They are different from cold sores because they are not communicable and do not appear on the lip surfaces. They can cause pain and can make talking and drinking uncomfortable.Usually, canker…

Getting A Thorough Cleaning At Your Dental Checkup

Seeing your dentist for a dental checkup means having a complete oral exam and professional cleaning. Your dentist may also provide tips on how to floss or brush properly. This dental visit aims to help keep your teeth and gums in top shape. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare for it. If you…

Recent Posts

When Dental Bonding Is Used By Your General Dentist

When Dental Bonding Is Used By Your General Dentist

Dental bonding is a reversible dental procedure that involves using a composite resin material to rebuild and restore teeth. The composites used can be matched with the color of the patient’s teeth, allowing restorations made with them to blend in.Dental bonding has cosmetic and restorative uses in dentistry. Unlike other popular restorations dentists use, its…

Ways A Cosmetic Dentist Can Improve Your Smile

5 Ways A Cosmetic Dentist Can Improve Your Smile

Wondering what a cosmetic dentist can do for your smile? Read on to learn more. A great smile can be a big self-esteem booster and a way to leave good first impressions. However, not all people have an aesthetically pleasing smile. Fortunately, a cosmetic dentist can help you improve the appearance of your teeth, gums,…