Opioids are not among the most effective—or longest lasting—options available for relief from acute dental pain, a new examination of the results from more than 460 published studies has found. Each day, more than 115 Americans die as a result of an opioid overdose, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone or in combination with acetaminophen are better at easing dental pain, according to the new research. The study examining relief of acute pain in dentistry—recently featured on the cover of The Journal of the American Dental Association—evaluated the safety and efficacy of dozens of pain-relief options.
The research found that, for adults, a combination of 400 milligrams of ibuprofen and 1,000 milligrams of acetaminophen was superior to any opioid-containing medications studied.
The study also found that opioids or drug combinations that included opioids accounted for the most adverse side effects—including drowsiness, respiratory depression, nausea/vomiting, and constipation—in both children and adults.
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Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.
ment: Talk to your dentist about when is the right time to replace your mouthguard, but replace it immediately if it shows sign of wear, is damaged or ill-fitting. Teens and children may need to replace their mouthguards more often because their mouths are still growing and changing. Between games, it’s important to keep your mouthguard clean and dry. Here are some tips for making sure your mouthguard is always ready to go:
Mouthguards help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. Your top teeth take the brunt of trauma because they stick out more. Your bottom teeth are a little more protected because they are further back.
Poor maternal oral health can have significant impacts on a woman’s overall health and the health of her children.
cerebral small-vessel disease that can lead to a stroke.
Radiography.