What pain meds can a dentist prescribe

What medications are used by dentists?

Your dentist may prescribe a number of different medications, depending on your condition. Some medications are prescribed to fight certain oral diseases, prevent and treat infections or control pain and relieve anxiety.

Here's an overview of the most commonly used medications in dental care. The doses of the drugs and instructions on how to take them differ from patient to patient, depending on what the drug is being used for, the patient's age and weight and other considerations.

Your dentist will provide information about any medication they may give you. Make sure you fully understand the reasons for taking a medication, and tell your dentist about any health conditions you have.

Medications to control pain and anxiety

Local anesthesia, general anesthesia, nitrous oxide or intravenous sedation are commonly used in dental procedures to help control pain and anxiety.

Other pain relievers include prescription or nonprescription anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, or analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and anesthetics (local or general).

Anti-inflammatory medications

Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications that are sometimes prescribed after an oral surgery procedure to help relieve swelling and pain. They may also be given in a gel or liquid format to help treat certain autoimmune oral conditions like oral lichen planus. Corticosteroids are available by prescription only under such brand names as Kenalog in Orabase®, Orabase-HCA®, Oracort®, and Oralone®.

Your dentist may recommend a nonprescription anti-inflammatory drug, such as Motrin®, to relieve pain and swelling after a dental procedure or if a patient is suffering from oral pain. Tylenol may also be given.

Note: Never give aspirin to infants and children, unless directed by your dentist.

Anesthetics

Dental anesthetics are used to relieve pain or irritation caused by many conditions, including toothache, teething, and sores in or around the mouth (such as cold sores, canker sores and fever blisters). Some of these medicines are also used to relieve pain or irritation caused by dentures or other dental appliances, including braces.

Anesthetics are available by prescription or over-the-counter and come in many forms, including aerosol spray, dental paste, gel, lozenges, ointments and solutions. Dental anesthetic brand name products include Anbesol®, Chloraseptic®, Orajel® and Xylocaine®.

Anesthetics used for toothache pain should not be used for a long period of time; they are prescribed for temporary pain relief until the toothache can be treated. Denture wearers who are using anesthetics to relieve pain from a new denture should see their dentist to determine if they need an adjustment to prevent more soreness.

Medications to control plaque and gingivitis

Chlorhexidine (Peridex™) is an anti-bacterial mouth rinse that eliminates plaque and treats gingivitis in the mouth or in periodontal pockets (the space between your gum and tooth). This mouth rinse may be given to help treat periodontal disease or may be given after a dental procedure to help you heal.

Note: Chlorhexidine may cause an increase in tartar on your teeth, and may temporarily stain the tooth, tooth filling, and dentures or other appliances. Brushing with a tartar-control toothpaste and flossing your teeth daily will help reduce this tartar buildup and staining. You should visit your dentist at least every six months to have your teeth cleaned and your gums examined. Be sure to tell your dentist if you've ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or to skin disinfectants that contain chlorhexidine.

Antiseptics

Your dentist may recommend that you use an over-the-counter antiseptic mouth rinse like Listerine® to reduce plaque, gingivitis and germs that cause bad breath.

Medications to prevent tooth decay

Fluoride is used to prevent tooth decay and is available on a nonprescription basis in many toothpastes. It's absorbed by teeth and helps strengthen teeth to resist acid and block the cavity-forming action of bacteria. As a varnish or a mouth rinse, fluoride helps reduce tooth sensitivity. Fluoride can cause staining of the teeth.

Prescription-strength fluoride is available as a liquid, tablet and chewable tablet. It's usually taken once daily. It's prescribed for children and adults who live in homes in which the water isn't fluoridated (hasn't had fluoride added to the water) or in people at high risk of developing cavities.

Before taking fluoride:

• Be sure to tell your dentist if you are allergic to fluoride, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs) or any other drugs.
• Do not take calcium, magnesium or iron supplements while taking fluoride without checking with your dentist.
• Tell your dentist if you're on a low-sodium or sodium-free diet.
• Don't eat or drink dairy products one hour before or one hour after taking fluoride.

Dry mouth medications

If you have been diagnosed with dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe pilocarpine (Salagen®). The drug stimulates production of saliva. Other medications, including certain mouth rinses or prescription toothpastes, can help relieve dry mouth.

Other antibiotics

Tetracyclines (the class of drugs including demeclocycline, doxycycline, minocycline, oxytetracycline and tetracycline) may be used alone or in combination with surgery and other therapies to:

• Reduce or temporarily eliminate bacteria associated with periodontal disease.
• Suppress the destruction of the tooth's attachment to the bone.
• Reduce the pain and irritation of canker sores.

Dental antibiotics come in a variety of forms, including gels, thread-like fibers, microspheres (tiny round particles) and mouth rinses.

Antibiotics like amoxicillin may be given before or after a procedure to help reduce the risk of infection. Certain people will be required to take antibiotics prior to dental procedures if they have a history of certain heart surgeries or prosthetic joints.

Muscle relaxants

Muscle relaxants may be prescribed to reduce your stress in order to help you stop grinding your teeth, and to treat temporomandibular joint disorders.

Antifungals

Antifungals are prescribed to treat oral thrush. The goal is to stop the spread of the Candida fungus. Antifungal medicines are available in tablets, lozenges or liquids that are usually "swished" around in your mouth before being swallowed.

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Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/28/2020.

References

• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Useful Medications for Oral Conditions (http://www.aapd.org/media/policies_guidelines/rs_commonmeds.pdf) Accessed 5/13/2021.
• American Dental Association. Medications and Oral Health (http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/m/medications-and-oral-health) Accessed 5/13/2021.
• American Dental Association. Oral Analgesics for Acute Dental Pain. (https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/oral-analgesics-for-acute-dental-pain) Accessed 5/13/2021.

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