11 best remedies for toothache
Once there was a curious study. Ordinary people were told that if they had to necessarily suffer a bout of pain, what kind of localization pain would they choose: headache, pain in the joints, in the abdomen, in the heart or in toothache? None of the 150 people interviewed chose toothache, and this despite the fact that the intensity of the painful sensation under the conditions would be the same. A person has a special relationship to toothache. The fairytale character “Tooth Fairy” is clear proof of this, because there is no other fairytale hero dedicated to a part of the body.
The thing is that toothache has specific features. Any pain syndrome can occur either due to injury, or as a result of inflammation, or when the mechanisms of pain perception are perverted. In the latter case, we will talk about the so-called neuropathic pain, and an example can be the trigeminal neuralgia. But it is not subject to review.
But traumatic, and especially inflammatory pain is characteristic of diseases of the dental system. The nerves penetrating the canals in the roots of the teeth can very quickly be compressed by inflamed tissues that cannot expand, because inflammation occurs in very narrow canals. High pressure of the swollen tissue leads to a particularly intense and unpleasant pain sensation, which can be either permanent or paroxysmal.
The most acute toothache, or odontalgia, occurs most often in two diseases. This pulpitis, or the continuation of caries. With pulpitis, the infectious process spreads into the cavity of the tooth, and the nerve is involved in an inflammatory reaction. The second reason is periodontitis. In this case, the infection spreads beyond the bounds of the tooth, and at the same time, closed purulent foci form next to its roots. They are called periodontal abscesses. In this case, there is a very painful, pulling and aching sensations, from which the only correct means of deliverance is an urgent visit to the dentist.
Drugs that have a strong analgesic effect are indicated to relieve or relieve toothache. Naturally, they in no way replace the doctor's appointment, but can significantly improve the patient's well-being while waiting for this intake, as well as after dental procedures. This rating includes drugs with pronounced analgesic activity, which are anti-inflammatory drugs, both monocomponent and combined, as well as local drugs that are applied directly to the aching tooth, into the carious cavity, or to the gum area.
What drugs are undesirable to use?
There are many drugs from different groups that are used to relieve pain of various origins, but they can not be used for toothache. For example, such drugs include Validol, Papaverine, No-spa.Validol can reduce pain in the heart area due to reflex effects caused by the cooling effect of menthol. No-shpa, or drotaverine, is a myotropic action spasmolytic, and reduces pain associated with smooth muscle spasm. Therefore, No-shpa can help with renal colic, with exacerbation of cholecystitis and pancreatitis, with spastic colitis, and with other similar conditions, so where there is musculature of the internal organs. The same can be said with regard to such a serious drug as Took.
It will be unreasonable to use these drugs to relieve toothache, since there are no muscles in the teeth. Therefore, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which help reduce the symptoms of inflammation and swelling, are the most important drugs for relieving toothache. Ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and ketorolac have the highest analgesic activity. Therefore, with them, and we will start a rating of tools for toothache. Average retail prices for all products are for the end of 2018.
Top toothache remedies
Nomination | a place | Name of product | price |
The best monocomponent anti-inflammatory drugs | 1 | Ketanov - Ketorolac (Dolak, Ketokam, Ketorol, Ketofril) | 49 ₽ |
2 | Ketonal - ketoprofen (Flamax) | 101 ₽ | |
3 | Nurofen (ibuprofen) | 87 ₽ | |
4 | Nimesil - Nimesulide (Neise, Nemulex) | 268 ₽ | |
5 | Dexalgin | 217 ₽ | |
The best combined NSAIDs for toothache | 1 | Tempalgin | 112 ₽ |
2 | Ibuklin | 119 ₽ | |
3 | Askofen-P (caffeine, paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid) | 28 ₽ | |
The best local drugs for the relief of toothache | 1 | Lidocaine | 23 ₽ |
2 | Kamistad gel | 259 ₽ | |
3 | Metrogil - Dent | 216 ₽ |
The best monocomponent anti-inflammatory drugs
Any inflammation, including in the soft tissues surrounding the tooth, develops in certain stages. Drugs from this group suppress inflammation at the stage of exudation, and in total have three types of therapeutic effect. It is antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Drugs to reduce fever and fever, such as aspirin and other acetylsalicylic acid derivatives, are unlikely to help, because a person needs to reduce pain as quickly as possible. The anti-inflammatory effect is a good thing, because ultimately it will help reduce swelling and, consequently, reduce pathological pain impulses. But the anti-inflammatory effect does not develop immediately, but after a few hours, or even after a day. Therefore, it is necessary to first consider those drugs that have the anesthetic effect in the first place.
Ketanov - Ketorolac (Dolak, Ketokam, Ketorol, Ketofril)
Rating: 4.9
The undisputed leader of analgesics, sold everywhere, is ketorolac. Currently, it is sold by prescription, but in some cases, it can be purchased for a simple reason, although this will be a clear violation by the pharmacy. Ketanov is derived from acetic acid, has a strong analgesic activity. In some cases, it can be comparable even with opioid analgesics, such as tramadol. But at the same time he is not an agonist of opiate receptors, does not impair the function of central respiration, does not cause drowsiness, euphoria and drug dependence.
Ketans are available in tablets and ampoules for intramuscular administration. It is necessary to use it one tablet at a time of severe pain, the reception can be repeated if within 2 hours the severity of pain has not decreased. Moreover, four tablets per day for an adult is the maximum dose, and under no circumstances should Ketans be taken longer than 5 days. In the event that there are no pills, then you can purchase a pack of ampoules of one milliliter. If you drink the contents of one ampoule diluted in water, the analgesic effect will be the same.The Indian company San produces Ketans, and a small package of 10 tablets is very inexpensive - around 60 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantage of Ketanov is its pronounced analgesic effect. In almost any case, there is a significant relief of toothache, and sometimes in an hour or even less, it completely disappears. Unfortunately, it is precisely high activity that is its disadvantage, especially in males. It is known that it is men who are most often afraid to go to the dentist, and after the toothache disappears completely, the desire to visit the dental office begins to subside.
The next day there is a great temptation to take the pills again, and then this situation continues throughout the week. The tooth ceases to hurt, but the inflammatory process progresses without pain. In addition, Ketanov has many side effects and contraindications. It is not used in children, in pregnant and lactating women, it is able to lower blood clotting, and increase vascular permeability. Therefore, if you signed up for a dentist-surgeon, but the next day, because of the improvement in your condition, you didn’t go to him, and continued taking Ketanov, then in a few days the doctor may have to cope with the bleeding. Taking Ketans for more than 5 days is not recommended due to its hepatotoxicity, that is, the negative effect on the liver. But still, being taken on the testimony and a short course, it will provide you with an invaluable service, and the toothache may disappear altogether.
Ketonal - ketoprofen (Flamax)
Rating: 4.8
The next drug from this group will be ketoprofen. It has a consonant name with the previous one, but Ketonal and Ketans should not be confused. These are two different means. Unlike ketorolak, ketoprofen activity is slightly shifted towards the anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, it relieves a little less than Ketanov, but at the same time it reduces the severity of inflammation and relieves painful swelling and puffiness. He is appointed not only for the treatment of toothache, but also for postoperative pains that can be quite strong, with various rheumatic diseases and lesions of the connective tissue, with acute arthritis.
Ketonal is produced in capsules of 100 mg, each capsule contains 60 mg of the active substance. Take Ketonal need one capsule 3 times a day, but not more than 6 capsules per day. Ketonal is produced in capsules by the Slovak company Lek. Packaging containing 25 capsules is inexpensive, around 105 rubles. In addition, the drug is available in coated tablets, as well as in a solution for intramuscular and intravenous administration and in rectal suppositories, and the cost of packaging in 12 candles of the same dosage is 267 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantage of Ketonala is its high European quality, low price and the complex effect of both anesthetic and anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also convenient that, unlike Ketanov, ketoprofen is available not only in capsules and tablets, but also in candles. On the other hand, it is contraindicated for use in exacerbation of gastric ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer, with bleeding, with bronchial asthma, in pregnant and lactating women, as well as in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. From side effects sometimes nausea, bloating, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort. It should not be used with other products from the same group.
Nurofen (ibuprofen)
Rating: 4.7
This drug, like other analogues of ibuprofen, acts more gently and is therefore indicated for the relief of moderate pain in dental practice. Nurofen also has not only analgesic, but also anti-inflammatory effect. Means to derivatives of propionic acid, and is widely applied also in neurology and therapy.In addition to toothache, it can be used for migraine, for pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, as well as for febrile conditions, since ibuprofen can also have a slight antipyretic effect. It is indicated even with painful menstruation.
Nurofen is produced both in the form of coated tablets and in the form of effervescent tablets, which dissolve in a glass of water and act faster. Therefore, in acute pain syndrome, this form of the drug is preferable. It is necessary for adults to apply on 1 effervescent tablet in 200 mg, from 3 to 4 times a day. The maximum permissible daily intake for adults is 800 mg per day, that is, 2 tablets four times a day. Nurofen is produced in the form of effervescent tablets by the Italian company Rekitt Benzicker, and the cost of one pack of 10 tablets on average costs 100 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
The great advantage of Nurofen will be the abundance of indications for use, and therefore the packaging of this tool will never be superfluous in the home medicine chest. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account that it is contraindicated for aspirin intolerance, for bronchial asthma in combination with nasal polyposis, for acute gastric ulcer, and for severe lesions of the liver and kidneys. It can not be used in pregnant women, as well as in children under six years of age. But on the other hand, if toothache is combined with swelling, asymmetry of the face, then Nurofen is a good means of choice, which can reduce the severity of pain.
Nimesil - Nimesulide (Neise, Nemulex)
Rating: 4.7
Nimesil is another good anesthetic anti-inflammatory drug that acts gently and is able to deliver comfort to a patient with a slightly pronounced toothache. This drug also belongs to the group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in pharmacies it is sold in bags, 100 mg of active ingredient, and the balance between the anesthetic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect is even. Therefore, it can be successfully applied if due to the inflammatory process, for example, exacerbation of chronic periodontitis, the patient has common manifestations: malaise, a small subfebrile temperature, headache.
In addition to a toothache, Nimesil will also be useful in the defeat of the musculoskeletal system, back pain, muscle pain, as well as painful periods. The contents of the bag are dissolved in half a glass of warm water, and drunk after a meal. You should take no more than 2 sachets per day, and the maximum course of treatment should not exceed 2 weeks. But usually, in the case of a toothache, we are talking about literally one or two days of intake. Nimesil is produced by the famous German company Berlin Hemi (Menarini group), and one small package of 9 packages costs, an average of 320 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
Nimesulide acts quickly because it is taken not in pill form, but in solution. Also a big advantage is the ability to purchase in some pharmacies separately for one or two bags, and the price of each varies within no more than 40 rubles. But at the same time, Nimesil and its analogues have common contraindications, like all NSAIDs. These are aspirin intolerance, hypersensitivity, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, peptic ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcers, exacerbation of chronic gastritis, especially in the erosive form. Nimesil is also contraindicated in cases of severe liver damage, as well as in violation of blood clotting with a tendency to hemorrhage and bleeding. It can not be used in children under the age of 12 years, as well as pregnant and lactating women. Side effects most often occur such symptoms as allergic itching and rash, but not more often than in one percent of cases: nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort most often occur. But, as a rule, these side effects are associated with large dosages.In the event that Nimesil is taken according to indications and in a dosage not exceeding 2 packets per day, and the course of treatment is not longer than 3 days, then usually no unpleasant symptoms occur.
Dexalgin
Rating: 4.6
Dexketoprofen is a modified ketoprofen molecule, that is, ketonal. The advantage of Dexalgin is its powerful analgesic effect, which lasts short, but it comes very quickly. Already 30 minutes after taking it, a significant reduction in toothache occurs, and this effect lasts, on average, 4-6 hours, maximum - 8. Dexalgin is highly recommended immediately before the dentist’s appointment (30 minutes).
Dexalgin is produced in granules, which are used to prepare the solution. In one bag is 25 mg of the drug. The average dosage for severe toothache is one sachet 3 times a day every 8 hours, but not more than 3 sachets daily. The duration of admission should not exceed 5 days without a doctor's prescription. The Berlin-Chemie Menarini company produces Dexalgin, and a pack of 10 sachets designed for a three-day reception costs an average of 385 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantage of Dexalgin will be the ability to quickly reduce pain, and protect yourself from painful discomfort if you decide to go to the dentist. The lack of a drug is the continuation of its dignity - a short action. In that case, if you want to protect yourself from toothache at night, then you should not take Dexalgin, since it will certainly help you fall asleep, but its effect will weaken by the morning. Also, the drug has common contraindications inherent to ketoprofen and all NSAIDs. These include increased bleeding, ulcerative gastritis, aspirin asthma, severe damage to the liver and kidneys, pregnancy, child age, and breastfeeding.
The best combined NSAIDs for toothache
In addition to monocomponent drugs that contain only one active ingredient, multicomponent drugs are used in the treatment of toothache. In addition to the anesthetic base, they also have additional ingredients that have a particular effect. In some cases, it is a tonic effect, in some - soothing, in some - antiallergic. Consider the most commonly used drugs that can reduce the severity of pain in dentistry.
Tempalgin
Rating: 4.9
Tempalgin is often prescribed by dentists after various manipulations, and its basis is metamizole sodium, or analgin. But a component that has an anxiolytic effect has been added to analgin. Anxiolytics are drugs that reduce anxiety, relax, have a tranquilizing effect. In the event that a patient is going to visit a dentist, this effect is often necessary. Anxiolytic component enhances the analgesic effect of dipyrone, because it changes the mental perception of pain. Tempalgin is produced in tablets, each of which contains 500 mg of metamizol sodium and 20 mg of an anxiolytic component with the complex name 3-acetone amine-toluenesulfonate.
Apply Tempalgin with an average pronounced pain syndrome need one tablet from 1 to 3 times a day, but not more than 4 times a day. It is also recommended to take one tablet half an hour before the visit to the dentist. This will calm down and concentrate. Tempalgin is produced by the Bulgarian company Sopharma, and one small pack of 10 tablets costs, on average, 120 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
Anxiolytic effect is the main advantage of this tool. Analgin itself is a fairly weak anesthetic drug, but if the toothache is not strong, then Tempalgin is able to reduce the perception of its intensity and calm the patient. Also, this tool has a very affordable price and good portability.The only thing to remember is the presence of general contraindications to the use of NSAIDs. These include renal and hepatic impairment, oppression of blood formation. Analgin is able to cause deterioration of white blood when its long-term use in large doses (induction of agranulocytosis). Tempalgin is contraindicated for use in children. In the event that it is used in a short course for one or two days before taking a dentist, then it is usually well tolerated.
Ibuklin
Rating: 4.8
Ibuklin is a combination of two active ingredients, which alone also act very well. These are ibuprofen and paracetamol, which are in the same capsule in almost equal relations: ibuprofen 400 mg, and paracetamol 325 mg. This ratio allows them to mutually reinforce each other. Ibuklin is successfully prescribed not only for toothache, but also for other very different pain syndromes, ranging from injuries, headaches, joint pain, and ending with aches throughout the body with the flu.
Ibuklin is prescribed before or after meals, one tablet three times a day. This dosage is not recommended to exceed: three tablets is the maximum daily dose. Official instructions impose a limit on the duration of use as an anesthetic for no more than 5 days. But in dental practice with acute toothache, a long course of treatment is not required. Ibuklin is produced by the Indian company Dr. Reddys, and one pack of 10 tablets has a low price - 160 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
Ibuklin has a quick effect (45 minutes after ingestion), it can be used in many painful conditions. However, Ibuklin is intended only for the relief of symptoms. It does not affect the course of the disease, is not able to cope with a microbial infection, and in the case of the presence of pus, it will not help, because it does not have an antimicrobial effect. Actually, exactly the same situation with all other anti-inflammatory drugs discussed above. But it is specifically in the official instructions for Ibuklin that is indicated.
Ibuklin has exactly the same contraindications as in other cases: erosive gastritis, reduced blood clotting, peptic ulcer, aspirin intolerance, severe damage to the liver and kidneys, pregnancy and age up to 18 years. But usually one or two days of taking this drug significantly improves the quality of life, and allows you to calmly go to a dentist’s appointment.
Askofen-P (caffeine, paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid)
Rating: 4.8
Finally, in conclusion, a review of combined drugs from the group of NSAIDs, of which there are a great many, can be called a simple Askofen-P. It contains aspirin, that is, acetylsalicylic acid, caffeine and paracetamol. It relieves pain, but it is indicated for mild pain syndrome. This situation may occur during a scheduled visit to the dentist, as well as during the day after the manipulation. Also, the drug is indicated for other syndromes and pains of another etiology, for example, neuralgia, muscle pain, sprains, back pain.
Askofen-P is produced in tablets, and for toothache, it is necessary to use it one or two tablets two or three times a day, but not more than 6 tablets. It is recommended to take tablets after meals, and they should be washed down with mineral water or milk. This requirement reduces the irritating effect of caffeine on the gastrointestinal tract. Askofen-P produces domestic manufacturer Pharmstandard, one pack of 10 tablets costs only 35 rubles. This is the lowest price in the ranking of toothache remedies.
Advantages and disadvantages
A big plus of Askofen-P will be low cost, the prevalence in pharmacies of any form of ownership, as well as tonic effect due to caffeine.But on the other hand, it can not be applied for general contraindications to the appointment of NSAIDs, which you can read above from the description to any drug. There may also be side effects associated with the influence of components. It is abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea, decreased appetite, or skin rash.
In some cases, symptoms of overdose are possible, which will manifest as sweating, pale skin, frequent heartbeat, and tinnitus. It is necessary to take activated charcoal and call an ambulance for gastric lavage. But such symptoms are very rare, only when used improperly. After all, Askofen is a drug that acts comfortably only with a weak pain syndrome, and if a person has severe toothache, then he needs another remedy: for example, Ketanov or Dexalgin.
The best local drugs for the relief of toothache
You can achieve an analgesic effect much faster if you combine the intake of tableted drugs with local remedies. The simplest of them, which can be considered popular and very inexpensive, is rinsing the mouth several times a day with a solution of salt. Sodium draws water from the tissue, and therefore hypertonic saline helps reduce swelling, reduces pressure on the nerve and reduces pain. But there are other local drugs that act either directly on the receptors or have an antimicrobial effect.
Lidocaine
Rating: 4.9
Everyone knows the magical effect of local anesthetics. If you hurt your finger, then it is necessary to splash a solution of novocaine or lidocaine on it, then the finger freezes, as if, and the pain disappears completely. Similarly, you can do with a bad tooth. The only condition in which Lidocaine can help is the presence of a cavity in the tooth so that lidocaine reaches the nerve endings and soft tissue receptors. To do this, moisten the gauze turunda with a solution of 2% lidocaine, and carefully place it into the cavity of the tooth. For this purpose, it is not recommended to take cotton balls, since the cotton ball is sometimes removed with great difficulty, and partially remain in the cavity of the tooth. To do this, you can successfully apply Lidocaine, which is sold in ampoules at a concentration of 2%. Its cost is only 40 rubles. per pack of 10 ampoules, and produces Lidocaine domestic company Grotex.
Advantages and disadvantages
This method significantly reduces the severity of toothache, but does not always work. If there is no cavity in the tooth, it is not applicable. The advantage is the availability of lidocaine, its cheapness, but it is very bitter, and this is a minus, it can “freeze” the cheek, and as a result, the tongue can often be bitten. Those side effects and contraindications, which are described in detail in the instructions, concern parenteral administration, for example, intravenous administration. It is then that such side effects as depression of the central nervous system, disturbance of conduction of the heart, nausea, sensation of heat and other side effects can develop. In the case when Lidocaine is applied in very small dosages topically, as a rule, no side effects occur.
Kamistad gel
Rating: 4.8
Kamistad is also a local drug containing lidocaine. But besides this, it includes an antiseptic in the form of an extract of pharmaceutical chamomile flowers. Kamistad is produced in the form of a gel. This texture allows it to penetrate deep tissue, being applied to the oral mucosa or gums. Unlike simple lidocaine solution, which can only be used in case of a defect in the tooth surface to get inside, Kamistad gel is successfully prescribed if tooth pain is combined with gingivitis, stomatitis, and also for teething in children. For application, it is necessary to squeeze out a strip of 5 mm in length, and apply it on the painful areas of the gums that are next to the aching tooth. After that, with light massaging movements, this gel is rubbed into the necessary place.Kamistad-gel is produced by the German company Stada, and the cost of one tube of 10 grams is 310 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantage of Kamistad will be the ability to influence the inflammatory processes of superficial soft tissues, but if the source of the pain is deep-lying structures of molars, it is unlikely to help. But in the event that the patient has a defeat in the gums, there are symptoms of stomatitis, or a toothache has arisen as a result of the primary fitting of dentures, then this gel will be indispensable.
Metrogil - Dent
Rating: 4.7
Another very popular dental gel is Metrogil Dent. This is the only drug from the rating of funds for toothache, which contains an antimicrobial component - metronidazole. The second active ingredient is chlorhexidine antiseptic. Metronidazole is especially effective against anaerobic flora, chlorhexidine also helps against microbes, both gram-positive and gram-negative. This gel is indicated in the treatment of various diseases of the oral cavity. It does not have a direct analgesic effect, but if a patient has some kind of soft tissue infection, he can prevent it from spreading to the gum pockets of adjacent teeth, and stop further development of the infection.
Apply it is necessary, spread a thin layer on the affected gum area, followed by light rubbing of the fingers. Apply Metrogyl gel must be 2 times a day. Also, this tool is used after the removal of the tooth. In this case, the patient usually experiences mild pain, but this does not prevent the gel hole from being treated with the gel 3 times a day for a week. It is safe, but you should not swallow it anyway, since metronidazole can lead to toxic symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. One tube weighing 20 g costs 270 rubles, and the Indian company Unic produces Metrogil Denta.
Advantages and disadvantages
The disadvantage of this gel is the inability to relieve pain in a patient if there is a deep-seated inflammatory focus that is not related to the gums and oral mucosa. But even in this case, this tool will be an excellent opportunity to prevent the development of infection. In the event that a patient uses Metrogil Dent while waiting for a primary appointment with a dentist, this risk is significantly reduced. In addition, Metrogil Dent has a very pleasant, refreshing taste.
Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.