Strong pain killer for toothache
Toothache pain medicine can reduce symptoms temporarily, but the cause may need a filling, root canal, drainage, extraction, or other treatment.
The short answer
Toothache pain medicine can reduce symptoms temporarily, but the cause may need a filling, root canal, drainage, extraction, or other treatment. Use only a medicine suitable for your health history and follow its label or clinician’s instructions.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Tooth pain can arise from inflamed pulp inside a tooth, exposed dentin, a cracked tooth, gum inflammation, an erupting tooth, or an abscess. The medicine that is appropriate depends on allergies, pregnancy, stomach or kidney disease, liver disease, other medicines, and age.
What can you do next?
Keep the area clean, rinse gently with water, avoid very hot or cold triggers, and use a cold compress on the cheek if swelling follows an injury. Never place tablets or concentrated chemicals on the gum, and do not share prescription pain medicine.
When should you seek dental care?
Arrange prompt dental care for severe, persistent, or recurring pain, pain that wakes you, swelling, fever, pus, or difficulty opening the mouth. Facial swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing is an emergency.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask what structure is causing the pain, whether an examination or radiograph is needed, and which treatment removes the cause. Give a full medicine and health history before discussing an analgesic or antibiotic.
Frequently asked questions
Do antibiotics cure toothache?
Antibiotics do not replace treatment of the tooth and are used only when a clinician identifies an indication such as spreading infection.
Can I take two pain medicines together?
Do not combine medicines unless a pharmacist or clinician confirms the combination and dose are appropriate for you.