Toothache can strike you unguarded, mainly when you least expect it. For example, a spontaneous ache can make your night miserable. On top of that, you may not receive dental attention right away. Inevitably, you will need to curb tooth pain with in-house medications. Toothache medicines will help you abate the symptoms, but always visit a dentist for a lasting cure. Here are a few go-to toothache medications that you need to know about.
Causes Of Toothache:
Toothache can be a common symptom that accompanies several dental issues. Cavities, tooth infections, and chipped teeth are leading causes of tooth pain. Cavities or tooth decay may lead to unbearable tooth pain. Initially, you won’t feel anything, just mild sensitivity. However, as the decay progresses and eats its way through the dentin, you start to experience pain. Eventually, the pain becomes severe as cavities hole through the dentin and reach the pulp. That’s why cavities are sneaky, as you won’t feel them until it’s too late.
As for tooth infection, you may experience severe, constant, and throbbing pain extending to the ear and neck. You should expect fever and swelling as well. A chipped tooth can also be agonizing, as you may feel a localized pain. These pain pangs can be spontaneous or constant, depending on the root cause. Nevertheless, a toothache is a nuisance, to say the least, but these medications will soothe the sensation until you drive up to a doctor.
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs):
This drug class features a massive variety of OTC drugs you may use for toothache. They can be pretty effective against toothache and also deal with inflammation. On top of that, most NSAIDs on the list will help combat fever too. Hence, NSAIDs pack a powerful combination that can provide you quick relief, especially against pain arising from a tooth infection. Here are a few common OTC NSAIDs available in tablets, oral suspensions, and capsules:
Ibuprofen: Common type of NSAID.
Naproxen: Another NSAID that may be fruitful. Some find them more effective than Ibuprofen.
Acetaminophen:
This is an older class of painkiller you can use when NSAIDs are unavailable. Unlike NSAIDs, acetaminophen doesn’t treat inflammation. Hence, rendering them slightly less effective against toothache. Nevertheless, they can still come in handy for quick relief. You can easily recall them as aspirin.
Benzocaine:
It’s a local anesthetic that you can spread over the area. Benzocaine will numb the site, and you will notice a significant decrease in tooth pain.
Good to know: According to the American Dental Association, you should not use this medicine for children under the age of two.
A Heads Up:
When using any medication for your toothache, it’s better to read the side effects listed on the leaflet. Moreover, some medicines might not complement your current health issues or your current medication list. Hence, it’s better to consult a doctor and determine which drug is safe for you. For your regular dental appointment, opt for professional dentists such as Brenham Family Dental. You can call us at (979) 421-9685 to book an appointment.