dental hygiene
Tooth pain has a habit of appearing when you really don’t want it to. Maybe it comes after you eat. Maybe you wake up with a pain that keeps bringing your attention back to the same tooth. For relief an over-the-counter painkiller is usually the smart first step, as long as it is safe for you to take.
What Can You Use for Tooth Pain?
Ibuprofen is often a choice because it helps with pain and inflammation. Take it with food. Follow the instructions on the package. If ibuprofen is not right for you paracetamol is another choice for pain relief.
Don’t take more than the amount suggested because the pain is not easy to get rid of. More medicine does not mean relief and taking too much can cause big issues.
A Few Things to Think About First
• Ibuprofen, taken with food is an option for many adults when inflammation is part of the pain.
• Paracetamol helps with pain without the -inflammatory effect, which makes it useful when ibuprofen is not right.
• Don’t mix medicines without thinking. A pharmacist can tell you if two products are safe together especially if you are on medicine.
What About a Salt Water Rinse?
This is one of those solutions that is actually worth trying. Mix salt into water and gently rinse your mouth before you spit it out. It won’t fix a tooth but it can calm sore gums and make your mouth feel less upset for a while.
And avoid the idea of putting aspirin directly on the tooth or gum. It can hurt the tissue. Give you another problem on top of the original pain. Not worth it.
When Painkillers Don’t Help
Pain medicine deals with the symptom. It does not take out a cavity, infection, broken tooth or another dental problem hiding underneath.
So if the pain comes back lasts than a day or two hurts when you chew or comes with swelling make a visit to the dentist. Tooth pain that keeps coming back is not something to keep covering up with medicine.
Get dental help if you have big swelling on the face trouble breathing or eating or swelling near the eye. Those signs need checkup rather, than another pill.
Disclaimer
The information shared in our articles is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every smile is unique, and only a qualified dental professional can assess your individual oral health needs. If you have any concerns, please book an appointment with our team or consult your local dentist.
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