Pain Management

Managing Dental Pain with Over-the-Counter Medications

For pain after dental work, it’s important to not only manage the pain but also the inflammation that often causes it. Here’s how you can do that:

Choose Ibuprofen

  • Popular Different brand name: Motrin, Advil
  • Since dental pain usually comes with inflammation, ibuprofen is often more effective because it treats both pain and swelling.
  • Suggested intake dosage for ibuprofen are:
    • 400mg every 4 hour.
    • 600mg every 6 hour
    •  800mg every 8 hours
      • Do not exceed 1,200 mg per day
  • Overdose Limit: Taking more than 3,200 mg in 24 hours is considered an overdose for adults and can lead to serious health problems.

Patients Who Should Avoid Ibuprofen (and generally, NSAIDs):

  • If you’re allergic to ibuprofen, don’t take it.
  • Avoid ibuprofen if you have medical conditions that make NSAIDs unsafe for you.
  • People with kidney disease
  • Those with a history of ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Patients with severe heart failure: Ibuprofen can exacerbate heart failure symptoms.
  • Individuals with high blood pressure or heart disease: Ibuprofen can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
  • Patients allergic to aspirin or other NSAIDs: They may also be allergic to ibuprofen.
  • Pregnant women, especially in the third trimester: Ibuprofen can affect fetal circulation and should not be taken late in pregnanc

Steer Clear of Aspirin

  • Aspirin can make bleeding worse, so it’s best to avoid it, especially after dental procedures that can affect your gums.

If You Can’t Take Ibuprofen

Tylenol

  • Generic Name: Acetaminophen
  • Popular Different brand name: paracetamol
  • Acetaminophen is an alternative for pain relief if ibuprofen isn’t suitable for you, but remember it doesn’t help with inflammation.
  • only take the dose listed on the label. Too much can hurt your liver in just a day or two. If that dose doesn’t help with your pain, get in touch with your doctor.
  • Don’t use more than one acetaminophen-containing product at once. If your cold medicine has acetaminophen, skip it in other medicines for things like headaches.

Adult Dosage:

  • Regular Strength: 325 mg every 4 hours as needed.
  • Extra Strength: 500 mg every 6 hours as needed.
  • Extended Release (Arthritis Strength): 1300 mg every 8 hours as needed. Do not exceed 3900 mg in 24 hours.

For adults, the maximum daily dose recommended is generally 3000 mg

Key Points to Remember:

  • Daily Maximum: The total daily dose of acetaminophen should not exceed the recommended limit (usually 3000-4000 mg for adults), considering all sources of acetaminophen, including combination products.

Who Should Avoid Tylenol

  • People with Liver Disease: Risk of liver damage is higher.
  • Heavy Alcohol Users: Increased risk of liver issues.
  • Those Allergic to Acetaminophen: Avoid if you’ve had reactions before.
  • Individuals on Certain Medications: Check for interactions, especially drugs affecting the liver.
  • People with Chronic Malnutrition: Increased toxicity risk.
  • Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women: Use under medical advice.
  • Children and Infants: Requires precise dosing; consult a pediatrician.

The content presented on this website is intended solely for informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The information provided, although considered accurate and based on the best judgment of the author(s), is still under review and should not be considered final. The website publisher disclaims any liability for inaccuracies or omissions and assumes no responsibility for any injuries that arise from improper use of the information. This site’s content is currently undergoing a review process and has not been finalized.

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