Best pills to take for toothache
Pain relievers can temporarily ease toothache, but dental treatment is needed to address decay, infection, or a crack.
The short answer
For temporary toothache relief, an adult may use a suitable non-opioid pain reliever according to its label and personal medical advice, but medicine cannot remove decay, infection, or a cracked tooth.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Toothache may reflect inflammation of the pulp, root tissues, or gum. Decay, fracture, abscess, exposed dentin, a loose restoration, or trapped food can trigger it.
What can you do next?
Anti-inflammatory medicines reduce inflammatory pain, while acetaminophen reduces pain differently. Choice depends on age, pregnancy, allergies, stomach, kidney or liver disease, blood thinners, and other medicines.
When should you seek dental care?
A dentist uses examination, cold or tapping tests, gum assessment, and sometimes an X-ray. Treatment may include removing decay, replacing a restoration, root canal treatment, drainage, or extraction.
What should you ask the dentist?
Follow the label, do not combine products with the same active ingredient, and never place aspirin or crushed tablets on the gum. Avoid chewing on the painful side.
Frequently asked questions
Can this problem have more than one cause?
Toothache may reflect inflammation of the pulp, root tissues, or gum. Decay, fracture, abscess, exposed dentin, a loose restoration, or trapped food can trigger it.
What happens at a dental visit?
A dentist uses examination, cold or tapping tests, gum assessment, and sometimes an X-ray. Treatment may include removing decay, replacing a restoration, root canal treatment, drainage, or extraction.