Does Tylenol Help With Tooth Pain?
Read, train, have that unbearable toothache, fall asleep planning the way how to go back to sleep since your mouth hurts so much that you are unable to make a sense out of it. If so, you’re likely trying to find some relief as fast as you can. Is Tylenol good for tooth pain? If you’ve been wondering this, you’re not the only one. When a rogue toothache strikes, many people turn to over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol. But does it really work? So without further ado, time to enter the realm of Tylenol, tooth pain, and how to deal with this irritating situation!
What is Tylenol and How Does It Work?
Thank you for reading Simmons University — Before we jump into how Tylenol helps with tooth pain, let’s start with what Tylenol really is. Tylenol is the brand name of acetaminophen, which is most commonly used to relieve pain and fever.buprofen or aspirin, which are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, acetaminophen goes to work by inhibiting the production of some chemicals in the brain that induce pain and fever. So, while it doesn’t go after inflammation as directly as other pain relievers, it at least lets you feel better by being a pain control signal manager.
How Does Tylenol Relieve Tooth Pain?
When you’re suffering from tooth pain, it might feel like there’s no way out. Whether from cavities, gum infections or a recent dental procedure, the throbbing pain can be exhausting. Tylenol is effective in treating pain because it is thought to work in the central nervous system. Here’s what I learned from my experience:
- Pain Relieving – It is effective in dulling the severity of tooth pain. I’ve had it used with great frequency for minor discomforts, such as after a dental cleaning or when a filling had begun to wear out.
- Instant Relief: Even in extreme pain, you would get short-lived relief from a bed of Tylenol after 30 minutes to an hour. It’s not a sustainable solution, but it gets you through the day.
- Quick Fix: Tylenol doesn’t address the root problem of your tooth pain, which could be an infection or cavity, but will help mitigate the pain in the meantime. Me personally, I’ve definitely used it to buy myself time between when I had a thing happen and when I could get to the dentist.
How Long Does It Take for Tylenol to Work on Tooth Pain?
So, you’re probably thinking, how long does it take Tylenol to actually start working? From personal experience, Tylenol usually takes 30-60 minutes to work. But it will not necessarily dull the pain. It will just make it a little easier on you, which is precisely what you want when you are trapped waiting for a dental appointment.
What Dosage of Tylenol Should I Take for Tooth Pain?
The correct dose of Tylenol could be far more effective. Not enough might be ineffective, too much can produce severe adverse effects. Typically, an adult can take 500 mg to 1000 mg every 4-6 hours for up to 24 hours (max. 4000 mg over 24-hour period). From my experience, it is effective for mild discomfort at the lower end of the dosage stack, but for soaring pain, you may require the higher dosage.
Be sure to read instructions carefully and not mix Tylenol with alcohol or other medications, which can be especially toxic to your liver.
Can Tylenol Help With Severe Tooth Pain?
Let’s be real: tooth pain can be downright painful—especially if you have an infected tooth or deep cavity. Tylenol isn’t going to cut it when one is in serious pain. In my experience, it can get you through for a little while, but if the pain is so great you can’t stand it, you’ll probably want something that will work better, like an NSAID (ibuprofen or aspirin), or an actual dental fix.
Though Tylenol may offer temporary relief, it surely won’t address the underlying issue. In critical cases of tooth ache, a dentist should always be contacted to diagnose and recommend anti inflammatory medicine. I learned this lesson the hard way after I tried pushing through a serious tooth infection and ended up needing an emergency root canal.
Tylenol vs Other Pain Relievers for Tooth Pain
Well, if you wanted to compare Tylenol to other painkillers, here’s a brief summary based on my experience and research:
- Tylenol (acetaminophen): Great for general pain relief and gentle on the stomach; not an anti-inflammatory. It’s best for mild to moderate toothache.
- Ibuprofen (Advil): This NSAID reduces inflammation, which makes it a better option for pain caused by swelling or inflammation — gum infection, say, or impacted tooth.
- Aspirin: Another NSAID that works similarly to ibuprofen, but can be hard on the stomach and isn’t recommended for some people, like those with ulcers or those taking blood-thinning medications.
I found when my gum was inflamed after a wisdom tooth removal, ibuprofen worked better than Tylenol because it didn’t just relieve pain, it also reduced swelling.
Is Tylenol Safe for Tooth Pain Relief?
Tylenol is safe for most people, when used as directed. But be careful to keep in mind a few things:
- Excess use can damage the liver, so staying within the recommended dose is important.
- Interaction with Other Medications: If you are taking other medications, be sure to check if Tylenol interacts with them.
- Existing Conditions: If you have liver issues or chronic alcohol use, avoid Tylenol entirely or check with a doctor beforehand.
I had a friend who took too much Tylenol too regularly for a chronic toothache issue and needed to be treated for liver problems. Even I have learnt to not “overprescribe” — at least alike my personal experience.
How to Maximize the Effectiveness of Tylenol for Tooth Pain
With that said, if you’d like to obtain the most from Tylenol for tooth pain, consider pairing it with other home solutions in addition to preventive measures. Here’s one helpful hack I use myself:
- Apply ice: A cold pack applied to the outside of your cheek can numb the pain so that Tylenol is even more effective.
- Saltwater rinse: Rinsing in saltwater can clean the area around your tooth and reduce some inflammation that can make Tylenol work better.
- Get some rest and hydrate: Tooth pain can flare up for any number of reasons, and dehydration or fatigue could be one of them. Stay hydrated, and make sure you are sleeping enough.
When Should You See a Dentist About Tooth Pain?
Tylenol will help temporarily manage tooth pain, but it is not a permanent solution to the problem. Here’s when you should absolutely see a dentist:
- If the pain lasts for more than a couple of days.
- If you have swelling or fever that may signal an infection.
- If the pain is intense and doesn’t get better with Tylenol or other pain relievers.
- If you don’t know which part of your mouth hurts and it feels like it’s coming from several places.
One time I had such a persistent little toothache that I ignored it — I figured that I’d take Tylenol — and eventually had to have a root canal. I eventually went to the dentist after suffering for a week, and he said that I had a deep cavity that called for treatment urgently. Do not take too long, trust me.
Conclusion: Does Tylenol Really Help with Tooth Pain?
In sum: Tylenol can help with tooth pain — but it’s not a cure. It’s a short-term fix that can offer meaningful relief for mild to moderate pain. It may be your best shot if you want a quick fix. But if the pain is more significant or you suspect you have an underlying dental issue, it’s best to see a dentist and address the root cause. My own experience suggests that Tylenol can be a useful tool for short-term control of tooth pain, but should never be used as a substitute for dental care.
So the next time you’re confronted with tooth pain, know that Tylenol will be there for you. But do keep in mind, it’s always better to go to the dentist for long term solution!