From the Guidelines
For tooth pain treatment, it is crucial to address the underlying cause, and a dentist should be consulted immediately if the pain is severe or persists for more than 1-2 days, as it could indicate a serious issue like an abscess, infection, or damaged tooth requiring professional treatment. When managing tooth pain, it's essential to consider the potential causes, such as exposed nerve endings due to decay, fractures, or gum disease, as highlighted in studies on facial pain management 1. Some key measures for temporary relief include:
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400-600mg every 6 hours or acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500-1000mg every 6 hours
- Applying a cold compress to the outside of the cheek for 15-20 minutes to reduce swelling
- Rinsing with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt in 8 ounces water) several times daily to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria
- Using clove oil for temporary relief when applied directly to the painful area using a cotton ball
- Avoiding very hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods that may trigger pain It's also important to note that chronic facial pain patients are best managed by a multidisciplinary team, as stated in 1, and that a biopsychosocial approach is needed for successful management, considering co-morbidities like depression and chronic pain elsewhere 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Temporarily relieves pain associated with the following mouth and gum irritations: toothache sore gums canker sores braces minor dental procedures The answer to tooth pain treatment is benzocaine (TOP), which can temporarily relieve pain associated with toothaches 2.
- Key points:
- Benzocaine is used for temporary pain relief
- It is used for toothache pain
- Ibuprofen is not directly indicated for tooth pain treatment in the provided label, although it may be used for pain relief in other contexts 3
From the Research
Tooth Pain Treatment Options
Tooth pain can be managed with various treatment options, including over-the-counter analgesics.
- Ibuprofen is a commonly used oral analgesic for managing acute pain, including tooth pain 4.
- A study comparing the analgesic efficacy of oral ibuprofen at different doses found that 400,600, and 800 mg doses have similar analgesic efficacy for short-term pain relief in adult patients presenting to the emergency department with acute pain 4.
- Another study found that ibuprofen was consistently superior to paracetamol at conventional doses in a range of painful conditions, including acute post-operative pain, dysmenorrhoea, and osteoarthritis 5.
Comparison of Analgesics
- A comparison of ibuprofen and paracetamol found that ibuprofen was usually superior in producing more patients with the degree of pain relief that patients feel worthwhile 5.
- The pharmacological profile of non-opioid analgesics, including ibuprofen, paracetamol, and aspirin, suggests that they differ in their inhibitory potency towards the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase, which may explain their different profiles of effects and side effects 6.
- A fixed-dose combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen may be an alternative to opioids in the management of common pain types, including tooth pain, with evidence suggesting that it can provide pain relief similar to or better than opioid and nonopioid comparators 7.
Considerations for Treatment
- The choice of analgesic for tooth pain treatment should be based on the individual patient's needs and medical history.
- Healthcare clinicians should consider the potential benefits and risks of each treatment option, including the use of nonprescription analgesics as a first-line option for the management of acute pain 7.