OTC Pain Relievers
A toothache can be an excruciating experience, making it hard to focus on anything else. The good news is that several over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help take the edge off.
There are two main types of OTC pain relievers: those that work by numbing the pain or analgesics and those that work by reducing inflammation or anti-inflammatories. Examples of analgesics include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Aspirin is another popular analgesic, but it’s worth noting that it can also act as an anticoagulant, which means it thins your blood. This can be dangerous for people taking other medications that have this effect. For this reason, it’s always best to check with a doctor before taking aspirin.
An example of an anti-inflammatory drug includes naproxen. This drug works by reducing inflammation, which can help reduce pain associated with toothache. Which OTC pain reliever a person should take depends on a few factors, including age, health history, and other medications. Children and teens should generally avoid aspirin due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition. Children under six should also avoid ibuprofen due to the risk of stomach bleeding.
