Even the most courageous among us is filled with dread when we get a toothache. Unlike knee pain or shoulder pain – discomfort we are usually able to work around – a toothache can stop us dead in our tracks. It conjures up images of metal instruments, needles and dollar signs and worse, it interferes with talking, eating, drinking and other day to day activities we usually don’t think twice about.
And when we have a toothache, all of us want to try every possible remedy before we make an appointment with our dentist. Luckily, we’ve done the homework for you in this regard and are sharing the results in our Best Pain Reliever for Toothache guide below.
Prevention
As with all medical conditions, prevention is best and toothaches are no different. Where teeth are concerned, this primarily means practicing good oral hygiene since the majority of toothaches are the result of tooth decay. Good oral hygiene consists of brushing at least twice each day (preferably with a fluoride-containing toothpaste), flossing once a day, rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash after brushing and seeing a dentist twice a year for professional cleanings.
Underlying Causes of Toothache
The best medicine for a toothache may depend on the cause of the pain. Toothaches can result from a myriad of conditions including:
- Tooth decay
- Abscesses
- Tooth fracture
- Damaged fillings
- Infected gums or other serious infections
- Loose or missing crowns or overlays
The symptoms associated with toothache are often a clue about the cause. In addition to pain in and around the tooth itself, sufferers can experience fever, headaches, ear pain or swelling around the tooth or in the face. Though we hope that the products in our Best Pain Reliever for Toothache guide do the trick, always see your dentist to get a proper diagnosis if:
- Your toothache lasts for more than a few days
- You have a fever for more than a day
- You have sharp pains in your ear or ears
- You have pain when opening your mouth wide
These more serious symptoms can be indicators of something only a dentist can address. But for the common toothache, we have identified the products that can help most.
Top 10 Pain Relievers for Toothache Comparison Table
| Picture | Name | Type | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. GoodSense Ibuprofen Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer Tablets | Tablets | $$ | 4.8 |
 | 2. GoodSense Acetaminophen Extra Strength | Caplets | $$ | 4.8 |
 | 3. GoodSense All Day Pain Relief | Caplets | $$$$ | 4.8 |
 | 4. Goody's Cool Orange Extra Strength | Powder | $ | 4.8 |
 | 5. GoodSense Coated Aspirin Pain Reliever Tablets | Tablets | $ | 4.7 |
 | 6. Extra Strength Liquid Acetaminophen Pain Reliever | Liquid | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 7. Orajel Severe Toothache & Gum Relief Cream | Topical | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 8. TOOTHACHE OUTFIT REDCROSS | Topical | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 9. GoodSense Ibuprofen Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer | Tablets | $ | 4.5 |
 | 10. Anbesol Maximum Strength Oral Anesthetic Gel | Topical | $$ | 4.4 |
Buying Information for Pain Relievers for Toothache
As you can see from the top 10 list, there is a wide variety of products consumers prefer when attempting to stop the pain of toothache, including oral medications and topical products.
The top 3 are pain relievers with which we are all familiar and likely use quite often for a host of aches and pains. But do we really understand the differences between ibuprofen (most commonly known as Motrin), acetaminophen (most commonly known as Tylenol) and naproxen sodium (most commonly known as Aleve)? Let’s make sense of all of them in order to make the best choice for our pain.
Ibuprofen and Naproxen Sodium belong to a family of drugs called NSAIDs – non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. These are very effective pain relievers, but because they can irritate the stomach, they should always be taken with a meal. Naproxen Sodium is longer acting so it can be taken less frequently, usually only once a day.
Acetaminophen, in a family of drugs known as analgesics, is also very effective in relieving pain. It is not an NSAID and does not irritate the digestive tract like an NSAID, meaning it can be taken on an empty stomach. It is usually best when a fever accompanies the pain.
When using any of these medicines, it is important to remember that adult versions are not to be given to children (there are kid’s versions of each of them available) and, if you’re taking steroids or blood thinners, you should consult your physician before using either of the NSAIDs.
After choosing which of these top 3 pain relievers will work best for you, experts agree that the most effective overall regimen for a toothache is a combination of an oral and a topical product used as follows:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (a good mix is ½ teaspoon of table salt to 8oz of water)
- Gently floss your teeth to dislodge any food particles that may be trapped
- Take your pain reliever of choice as directed
- Never put aspirin or other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth (it can burn the gum tissue)
- Apply one of the topical anesthetics directly to the irritated tooth and surrounding gums as often as directed
Top 3 Best Pain Reliever for Toothache Reviews
1. GoodSense Ibuprofen Pain Reliever
As one of our NSAIDs, this ibuprofen product is a tried and true among consumers. It is the same 200mg as name brands but costs much less, making it #1 in the top 10.
The tablets are much smaller than other brands making them very easy to swallow and they take effect in as little as 10-15 minutes.
If you prefer a caplet rather than a tablet, GoodSense does offer a 200mg Ibuprofen caplet pain reliever in 200mg as well.
2. GoodSense Acetaminophen Extra Strength
The GoodSense brand of Acetaminophen is also a top pick among consumers, coming in at #2 among the best medicines for toothache. Remember that acetaminophen is not an NSAID so it can be taken on an empty stomach.
Even though this product is in caplet form, the pills are a little larger than most caplets so beware of this if you have difficulty swallowing larger pills.
If you have a fever along with your toothache, this is likely the best choice since it is the most effective in reducing fever.
3. GoodSense All Day Pain Relief
You may be sensing a trend! Here is the GoodSense brand again, rounding out our top 3 – this time with their Naproxen Sodium product. Like the ibuprofen, this medicine is an NSAID so take it with or after meals.
Many consumers swear by this Naproxen Sodium for reducing swelling if that accompanies your toothache. This product is also preferred among consumers that are traveling, working or planning to be physically active since it is taken only once a day and goes to work on pain fast.