Ibuprofen for toothache

Meds belonging to a genre known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are easily absorbed onto your stomach as well as intestinal system. NSAIDs are administered for managing painful conditions. Your caregiving team may administer such drugs for various types of joint pains like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tennis elbow, etc. Ibuprofen is one of the popular NSAIDs. But can you use ibuprofen for toothache? It helps to know more.

NSAIDs are taken to treat inflammation, pain and fever. Non-steroidal refers to separate these drugs from steroidal meds. This is because steroids – such as corticosteroids – are known to have anti-inflammatory capabilities. In essence, NSAIDs work by inhibiting the actions of enzymes. Most NSAIDs work on cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes – especially, COX-1 and COX-2.

These properties make NSAIDs to treat stiffened muscles, headache, pains caused by gout and other similar discomforts. Doctors also prescribe these drugs for managing internal swelling, triggered by painful conditions as well as bodily injuries.

In this regard, what is ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is one of NSAIDs used for inhibiting a few enzymes that help experience inflammation and pain. Owing to this, physicians use ibuprofen for cramped muscle(s), lower back pain, and discomforts autoimmune conditions like arthritis cause. Beware of an overdose of ibuprofen; it can lead to ulcers in your stomach.

How many 200 mg ibuprofen can I take for toothache?

You may take 200 mg of ibuprofen once 5 hours for managing pains like toothache. Most forms of pain in your tooth / teeth are caused by internal swelling. As a result, pulp of your tooth turns very sensitive. NSAIDs like ibuprofen can decrease throbbing and pulsating pains – primarily those caused by swelling of the tissues adjoining your pulp.

In general, dosages are limited to 200 mg, and not more than 3 or 4 dosages are administered per day. Maximum dose of ibuprofen must never breach the 1,200 mg mark within 24-hour timeline. Above dosage strengths pertain to adults; in case of younger patients – their body weight determines strength of doses.

For your children, kid’s doctors may prescribe a dose of 10 mg per kilogram (kg) of weight. Such a dose is given once every 7 – 9 hours’ time. It is always a safe thing to give these doses as per the guidance of a qualified clinical professional. If your kid is less than 2 years old, you must stay away from using ibuprofen.

Is ibuprofen good for toothache?

Inflammation of pulp makes your arteries – carrying blood to your oral parts – to expand / dilate. This worsens your pains. Key chemicals of ibuprofen help bring arteries back to their original shape and size. This effect is possible by restricting COX enzymes – which make prostaglandins scarce. The remedial outcome ibuprofen brings about are largely due to this action.

Ibuprofen is preferred to acetaminophen because of former’s ability to address inflammatory conditions more effectively (than acetaminophen). Also, comparative studies done on the efficacy levels of acetaminophen and ibuprofen reveal the following: 200 mg to 400 mg of ibuprofen tends to handle pains in a better manner than 325 mg – 650 mg of acetaminophen!

Safe Dosage Levels Of Ibuprofen, For adults, the safe dosage of ibuprofen is typically up to 800 mg per dose, taken every six to eight hours. Do not exceed 3200 mg per day. For children, the dose is based on weight; it is usually 10 mg per kilogram of body weight every six to eight hours, without exceeding 40 mg/kg daily. Always consult a healthcare provider before use.

In one of the studies done comparing 1000 milligrams of acetaminophen and 400 mg of ibuprofen, the former could not match the pain-relieving properties of latter. Moreover, the remedial outcomes of ibuprofen tend to stay on for a longer timeframe – of about 7 hours from the time of dose. This is a longer time window; because, a dose of acetaminophen may – at best – offer relief from pain for only 3 to 3.5 hours after every dose.

You may need to inform your doctor about being anemic or if you have deficiency of vitamins like K. Those who are pursuing treatment with antiplatelet drugs must keep their doctor aware of all such meds. If you have prior allergies to ibuprofen, inform your physician before start of medication plans. In order to know if ibuprofen is good for toothache, consult with your caregiving team or your pharmacist.

Disclaimer

Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.