Dental Pain Treatment
The treatment for dental pain depends on the underlying cause. Pain from dental caries, or tooth decay, may require dental fillings, crowns, or a tooth extraction. Pain from a dental injury may require care for a fractured or dislodged tooth. The treatment of dental pain includes dental cement, which covers exposed, sensitive areas of the tooth. Pain may also be treated with oral pain medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or narcotic pain medications.
Treatment for dental pain may include:
- Antiseptic mouthwash
- Dental sealants
- Protective barriers applied to the surface of the teeth
- Dental picks
- Oral irrigators:
- Waterpik
- Antibiotics for dental abscess
- Warm saltwater mouth rinses
- Dental fillings
- Dental extraction:
- Tooth removal
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain:
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, NeoProfen)
- Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Oruvail)
- Naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve)
- Celecoxib (Celebrex)
- Narcotic pain medication:
- For moderate to severe pain
- For short term use only
Treatment for dental injuries may include:
- Wound care for dental injuries:
- Oral rinsing
- Repair of jaw fractures
- Repair of gum lacerations
- Antibiotics for dental injuries
- Tooth repair:
- Dental bonding
- Dental crown
- Root canal
- Tooth avulsion:
- Partially dislodged adult teeth must be returned to their normal position.
- Completely dislodged permanent teeth need to be reimplanted as soon as possible.
- Dislodged primary teeth in children should not be returned to their original position or re-implanted
For more information:
Dental Pain Specialist
Physicians from the following specialties evaluate and treat dental pain:
Continue to Dental Pain Home Care
Last Updated: Jun 10, 2011 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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