Tooth Pain & Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
How to manage tooth pain while you arrange dental care.
Over-the-counter pain medicine can help for a short time, but it does not treat the cause of a toothache. Use the guidance below while you arrange dental care, and contact us sooner if pain is getting worse or you develop swelling or fever.
Relief while you arrange care
Over-the-counter medicine can help temporarily, but persistent or worsening tooth pain should still be evaluated even if the medicine helps. New swelling or fever needs prompt attention.
For adults
If you can safely take both ibuprofen and acetaminophen, they can be used together for short-term tooth-pain relief. One option is:
- Take ibuprofen 400 mg (two 200 mg tablets) with acetaminophen 500 mg (one 500 mg tablet). They can be taken together.
- Wait at least 8 hours before repeating this combined dose, only if needed. Take no more than 3 combined doses in 24 hours.
- Count all medicines you take. Without your clinician’s direction, stay within 1,200 mg of ibuprofen and 3,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours, and follow any lower limit on your package.
Check with a pharmacist or clinician first if you are pregnant, take a blood thinner, have kidney or liver disease, stomach ulcers, a medicine allergy, or have been told to avoid either medicine.
Do not add another medicine containing acetaminophen or another anti-inflammatory pain reliever, such as naproxen. Use the smallest amount that helps.
For children
For children, use weight to choose a dose. The chart below is for children ages 2–11 who weigh 24–95 lb. For a younger child or a weight outside the chart, ask their clinician or pharmacist.
Check the bottle before measuring a dose. These amounts apply only to acetaminophen 160 mg/5 mL and ibuprofen 100 mg/5 mL.
Infant ibuprofen drops may be more concentrated.
| Weight | Acetaminophen160 mg / 5 mL | Ibuprofen100 mg / 5 mL |
|---|---|---|
| 24–35 lb | 5 mL160 mg | 5 mL100 mg |
| 36–47 lb | 7.5 mL240 mg | 7.5 mL150 mg |
| 48–59 lb | 10 mL320 mg | 10 mL200 mg |
| 60–71 lb | 12.5 mL400 mg | 12.5 mL250 mg |
| 72–95 lb | 15 mL480 mg | 15 mL300 mg |
- Acetaminophen
- Every 4–6 hours, if needed.
No more than 5 doses in 24 hours. - Ibuprofen
- Every 6–8 hours, if needed.
No more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
Shake the bottle. Measure in mL with the dosing device supplied with the medicine or an oral syringe recommended by your pharmacist, never a kitchen spoon.
Choose one medicine. Do not combine or alternate them for a child unless their clinician gives you a clear plan. Check other medicines for the same ingredient, and keep a written record of each dose.
Do not give ibuprofen to a child under 6 months unless their clinician directs it, or to a child who is dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, or poor drinking. Ask first about kidney or liver problems, stomach bleeding, or medicine allergies.
When to get urgent medical help
Call 911 or go to the emergency room for trouble breathing or swallowing, major or rapidly spreading face or neck swelling, a serious facial injury, or bleeding that will not stop.
Plan a visit to our Newport office
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