Dental Pain Overview

An overview of dental pain

Dental pain can affect your patients' quality of life and overall health, making daily actions like chewing, biting, talking, or sleeping more difficult. 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.¹

Acute dental pain can affect the hard and soft tissues of the mouth and can be due to dental procedures or underlying conditions.² While acute pain resolves, pain that lasts longer than 3 months is considered chronic. Diagnosing dental pain is important to help patients recognize triggers, find a treatment plan, and regain their quality of life.

Dental pain facts

The main causes of dental pain
Dental pain can be caused by a variety of procedures and conditions, such as:

Dental procedures and cleanings

Dentin hypersensitivity

Dental caries

Other causes, such as bruxism, periodontal disease, and more

Learn more about the causes of dental pain.
Symptoms of dental pain
The following symptoms can indicate an underlying oral health problem:

Sensitivity to hot or cold food

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

Learn more about the symptoms of dental pain
Patient demographics

More than 40% of US adults experienced dental pain¹

1 in 4 adults aged 20 to 64 years has cavities³

80% of patients will have at least 1 cavity before age 34¹

41% of adults suffer from dentin hypersensitivity⁴

4 in 10 adults aged 30 years and older had periodontal disease¹
Dental pain relief & management
Dental pain treatment options

Depending upon the type of dental pain, you can recommend different types of treatment:

For mild to moderate postoperative dental pain and inflammation, recommend a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (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

Advil is the #1 recommended OTC brand by dentists for pain relief. The American Dental Association recommends NSAIDs, like ibuprofen (Advil) first line for dental pain management over prescription opioids

Additionally, a recent study comparing over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pain relievers 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.⁵ 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.⁶ It’s clinically proven to relieve dentin hypersensitivity*

For other causes of dental pain, evaluation is recommended for treatment

Nonpharmacologic options:

Rinse with salt water to speed gum tissues healing and minimize pain and sensitivity

Rinse with water and honey

Use a soft toothbrush