Unfortunately, sometimes we have to endure dental pain. Luckily, there are several pain-relief options available depending on the severity of the pain.

Over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen are effective for pain relief after dental procedures.

Ibuprofen – Ibuprofen is also known by the brand names: Advil, Motrin & Nuprin.

Acetaminophen – Acetaminophen is by the brand names: Panadol & Tylenol.

However, not all pain relief options work for all people and in all situations. At times, a stronger pain medicine is needed to reduce the pain. Before any prescriptions are given for pain medicine, your dentist must have a current record of any other medicine you are taking. Be sure you inform the staff at the office if anything in your medical history changes, if you had had recent surgery, if you are pregnant, have allergies, or if you are experiencing any illnesses. There are many factors involved in making sure that any pain medicine you take not only is effective for you, but does not do more harm than good—and we can help make that determination.

Opioids are narcotic pain relievers and require a prescription. Used for short periods of time under the supervision of a medical professional, these medicines are safe and very effective. However, they can be highly addictive and can lead to addiction problems.. Because of the dangers of these stronger pain medications,  most dentists reserve prescriptions of opioids for dental surgeries and will only prescribe when they feel it is absolutely necessary. If you have suffered from problems with addiction, and have an upcoming procedure, please discuss your situation with your dentist.

If you are concerned about pain, please let us know how we can help. As a dental practice, we are aware that every patient has unique needs when it comes to pain tolerance and pain management. The one-size-fits all approach does not work when it comes to patient care. It is our policy to treat each individual patient with the individual care they need. We will work with you to determine how we can best mitigate your dental pain and any potential risks. The best way to do this is to have an open conversation prior to your treatment, so we can learn of your past dental experiences, and your medical history.