Most discomfort relating to toothaches or oral surgery is inflammatory in nature. Ibuprofen is an excellent anti-inflammatory medication and thus helps with pain relating to oral surgical procedures. Advil® and Motrin® are simply brand names of ibuprofen. Prescription pain medication often causes nausea, so we recommend first taking ibuprofen.
After your surgery, take 3 tablets (200 mg each) of ibuprofen (600 mg total) every 4 hours while awake. This should be 5 doses in 24 hours.
Do this on a regular schedule, whether you have pain or not, for the first 48 hours.
If you need additional pain medication, you may take the stronger prescription pain medication (usually Tylenol® #3) on top of the regularly scheduled ibuprofen. The prescription pain medication works differently than ibuprofen, so they may be taken together.
The prescription pain medication should be taken as needed instead of on a regular schedule. Do not drive if you have taken the stronger prescription medication.
Again, prescription medication often causes nausea and thus should be taken with food. Try taking the prescription medicine with at least milk or soft bread if you don’t feel up to a full meal.
If you have a history of peptic ulcers, kidney disease, heart failure, or cirrhosis, you should not take ibuprofen. If you have any bleeding disorders or are on blood thinners, you should also not take ibuprofen.
You may always call our office with any questions or concerns at (817) 441-5000.