Over-the-Counter Pain Medication “Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin or naproxen work well with dental pain because they reduce inflammation,” says Huang. Recent data has shown the combination of Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) is as effective as prescription opioids for tooth pain.
Paracetamol is a good painkiller but is less effective at reducing swelling, and therefore will provide less pain relief if you have a toothache. It can, however, be effectively used in conjunction with either Ibuprofen or Aspirin.
Ibuprofen or Ketoprofen
Many consider this to be the best over the counter painkillers for dental pain.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not well-suited for tooth pain because is not an NSAID and will not reduce inflammation that causes your pain. In general, non-NSAIDs and even opioids aren't very effective for toothache pain. If over-the-counter painkillers are not working for your toothache, call your dentist right away.
Taking ibuprofen with other painkillers
It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine. But do not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like aspirin or naproxen without talking to a pharmacist or doctor.
Commonly known by the brand Panadol, paracetamol is our first pain relief recommended for dental pain. Tablets come in 500 mg and an adult can take 2 tablets(1000 mg) four times a day. This is a maximum dose of 8 tablets per day. Paracetamol is generally safe for most people.
The tablets are recommended for the treatment of most painful and febrile conditions, for example, headache, including migraine, backache, toothache, rheumatic pain and dysmenorrhoea, and the relief of the symptoms of colds, influenza and sore throat.
For severe or acute pain, paracetamol and ibuprofen may be combined, doses of each may be taken together or alternately. To minimise confusion, it is recommended that doses of ibuprofen and paracetamol are taken together.
You can try to get rid of a toothache in 5 minutes by rinsing with hydrogen peroxide, salt water, or wheatgrass. Next, you can apply clove oil, vanilla extract, or garlic paste to the affected area. Finally, apply a cold compress or ice pack. If the pain doesn't resolve or if it's severe, talk with your dentist.
Sleep with your head elevated – Prop up a few pillows to prevent your blood flow from rushing to your head, making your tooth pain worse. Use a cold compress – A cold compress (or towel-wrapped ice pack) can reduce inflammation and numb the area.
The 3-3-3 Method for tooth pain
Reduce the swelling and you'll reduce the pain. The best way to reduce this inflammation in the short-term is with the 3-3-3 method: 3 ibuprofen (600 mg total) 3 times a day for 3 days. What not to do: Don't take the ibuprofen and stop once you start to get pain relief.
Why Ibuprofen can help. Ibuprofen relieves pain, fever and has anti-inflammatory properties. It works for various types of pain including dental pain, headaches and migraines.
Paracetamol has been in general use for more than 50 years, but the way it works to reduce pain and fever is not fully understood. Paracetamol begins to ease pain and lower a high temperature about 30 minutes after a dose is taken. Its effects usually last for about 4 to 6 hours.
In adults, excellent pain relief can be achieved by taking paracetamol and ibuprofen alternately every 2 hours (so each individual drug is only taken at 4 hour intervals). The paracetamol can usually be stopped after 24-48 hours. Use Paracetamol 500mg tablets. Use Ibuprofen (Nurofen/Brufen) 400mg tablets.
If you are experiencing pain due to a cavity or an infection, then your discomfort will persistently last for more than 48 hours and will continue to worsen with time.
In this case, a dose of medication should be given every 3-4 hours, strictly alternating between Paracetamol and Ibuprofen. This should adequately keep the temperature down and keep within the safe limit of each medication.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be given together, but you can stagger them so that every few hours, if needed, the child can have some medication. For example, you can give paracetamol at 8am, ibuprofen at 11am and paracetamol again at 2pm (i.e. six hours after the first dose of paracetamol).
Throbbing tooth pain usually indicates that there is an injury or infection in the mouth. In most cases, this will be a cavity or an abscess. A person cannot diagnose the cause of throbbing tooth pain based on their symptoms alone, and it is not always possible to see injuries or abscesses.
When you lie down to sleep, more blood is able to rush to your brain. More blood circulation means experiencing more tooth pain than if you were standing. This is because the increased blood flow exerts pressure on the painful tooth.
The Small Intestine 18 pressure point is widely used to alleviate toothaches, swollen gums, and tooth decay. It's found perpendicular to the outside of your eye and the outside of your nose. It's typically called the cheekbone hole.
Salt water rinses help decrease swelling, therefore offering pain relief. Aids in Gum Health and Soothes Bleeding Gums — If you have irritated or bleeding gums caused by toothaches, gingivitis, or canker sores, a salt water rinse can help manage the pain.