Dental Pain Management
Dental pain: relief and management
The ADA guidelines recommend NSAIDs, like Advil, first line for acute dental pain.1 Whether patients are experiencing pain due to dental procedures or oral conditions, you can help them find safe, effective relief.
Relieve your patients’ dental pain
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Refresh your knowledge
More than 40% of adults reported feeling pain in their mouths in the past year, and 80% will have at least 1 cavity by 34 years of age.2
Dental pain can be caused by pathological conditions, underlying disease processes, and/or their treatment.1 Understanding the cause of dental pain can help you accurately treat your patients’ symptoms. Ongoing dental pain should be identified as soon as possible because it can lead to more serious dental problems in the future.
Causes:
- Dental procedures
- Dental cleanings
- Dentin hypersensitivity
- Dental caries
- Other causes, such as bruxism, periodontal disease, and more
Signs and symptoms:
- Sensitivity
- Sharp pain when biting down
- Lingering pain after eating
- Constant and severe pain and pressure
- Dull ache and pressure in upper teeth and jaw
- Wisdom tooth pain symptoms
Diagnosing dental pain is important to help patients recognize triggers, find a treatment plan, and regain their quality of life.
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Dental pain relief and management
Depending on the type of dental pain, you can recommend different types of treatment:
- For mild to moderate postoperative dental pain and inflammation, recommend an NSAID pain reliever, such as Advil. Postoperative dental pain is associated with inflammation of the underlying tissues. Advil works at the site of pain to relieve and reduce pain caused by inflammation
- The ADA recommends NSAIDs, like Advil, first line for dental pain management over prescription opioids
- Ibuprofen and acetaminophen
- A recent study comparing OTC and prescription pain relievers in The Journal of the American Dental Association found a combination therapy of ibuprofen with acetaminophen (like Advil Dual Action), more effective than any prescription opioid-containing regimen with a lower risk of adverse effects, in the treatment of acute dental pain from third-molar extractions. Advil Dual Action is the first and only pain-relief medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration that combines acetaminophen and ibuprofen
- For dentin hypersensitivity, recommend a specialist toothpaste like Sensodyne, the #1 dentist-recommended brand for sensitive teeth. It’s clinically proven to relieve dentin hypersensitivity*
- For other causes of dental pain, dental evaluation is recommended for treatment
Nonpharmacologic options for mild dental pain:
- Rinse with salt water to speed gum tissue healing and minimize pain and sensitivity
- Rinse with water and honey
- Use a soft toothbrush
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Recommend Advil for dental pain relief
Advil, the #1 NSAID brand preferred by patients. It is clinically proven to be an effective medication for reducing or stopping dental pain, among a variety of other pain conditions. Postoperative dental pain is associated with inflammation in underlying tissues. Advil works at the site of pain to relieve pain caused by inflammation. It has been shown to provide superior relief for acute dental pain over acetaminophen. In fact, it has a longer duration of pain relief per dose than Tylenol Regular Strength®.
See how Advil relieves tough dental pain compared to Tylenol
Advil Dual Action fights pain in 2 ways
Provides more effective and longer pain relief than Tylenol Regular Strength in postsurgical dental pain3
Advil is clinically proven to be superior to prescription Tylenol with codeine for acute, postsurgical dental pain4
Dosage
Adults and children 12 years of age and older should take the smallest effective dose when using Advil products to get rid of dental pain fast. Advise patients to follow product directions:
Take 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours while symptoms persist
If pain or fever does not respond to 1 tablet, 2 tablets may be used
Do not exceed 6 tablets in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor
Do not give to children under 12 years of age, unless directed by a doctor
For effective relief of acute dental pain, recommend Advil.
Advil is the #1 dentist-recommended OTC pain reliever
Advil’s proven efficacy and safety profile
Discover why Advil is the #1 NSAID brand preferred by patients.
Discover Advil Dual Action
Learn how Advil Dual Action combines 2 distinct mechanisms of action (MOA) to fight dental pain in 2 ways.
Patient resources
Access resources designed to help your patients as they navigate their pain symptoms.
