Ask the Dentist!
Relieving Dental Pain
Dental pain, especially on a weekend, can be very stressful both mentally and physically. What do you do if you find yourself in pain on a weekend or out of town?
First - call your dentist. There should be an emergency contact number so that you can at least talk with a staff member.
Secondly there are over the counter options that may help relieve the pain till you can see your dentist. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are available over-the-counter (OTC) and can make the pain manageable. The most common NSAIDS are Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve) and aspirin. Taken in appropriate dosages, these medications work wonderfully well. Patients who are taking blood thinners must be very carful as NSAIDS will make bleeding worse. NSAIDS should be avoided in these patients. Caution should also be taken in patients who suffer from asthma or kidney disease. NSAIDS can make these conditions worse.
For those that cannot take NSAIDS, acetaminophen is the next best choice. Although more well know for controlling fever, acetaminophen can also help with dental pain. Taken in high dosages for extended periods of time acetaminophen can be toxic to the liver. Patients with liver issues should use caution.
Current research shows that a combination of NSAIDS and acetaminophen taken together can be as effective as Tylenol with codeine. Recently, Advil has released a tablet that already contains this combination called Advil Dual action. I have found this combination to be very effective at controlling dental pain. This is an OTC medication and can be found at most all pharmacies and retail stores. When all else fails narcotic medication may be needed. Narcotics require a prescription so you will have to see a physician or your dentist. The best way to avoid dental pain is to not ignore warning signs of possible dental issues or procrastinate having necessary dental work done.
