Can I take ibuprofen for a toothache?
Sep 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Ibuprofen is a antipyretic analgesic drug, commonly available in tablets, capsules and other dosage forms. Generally speaking, whether ibuprofen can be taken for toothache needs to be determined according to specific circumstances. For mild to moderate toothache, ibuprofen is usually effective in relieving the pain. However, if the toothache is severe, accompanied by significant gum swelling or the cause is unclear, taking ibuprofen alone cannot address the underlying problem and treatment should be based on the specific cause.
Ibuprofen belongs to antipyretic analgesic medications and is commonly available in tablet and capsule forms. Generally, whether ibuprofen can be taken for toothache depends on the specific circumstances. For mild to moderate toothaches, ibuprofen is usually effective in relieving the pain. However, if the toothache is severe, accompanied by significant gum swelling, or the cause is unclear, simply taking ibuprofen cannot address the underlying issue, and treatment targeting the cause is necessary. Detailed explanations are as follows:
If the toothache is mild, such as pain caused by slight tooth decay or mild gum inflammation, taking ibuprofen can usually effectively alleviate the discomfort. By inhibiting inflammatory reactions and blocking pain signals, ibuprofen can relieve pain within 30 minutes to 1 hour and maintain its effect for 4-6 hours, providing temporary relief.
When the toothache is severe, such as pain caused by acute conditions like pulpitis or pericoronitis of wisdom teeth, or if it is accompanied by pus formation, gum swelling, or loose teeth, taking ibuprofen alone can only provide temporary pain relief and cannot eliminate the underlying cause. Such toothaches are often caused by infection or severe tissue inflammation, and ibuprofen cannot provide a cure.
To better relieve toothache and maintain oral health, proper daily care is essential. When taking ibuprofen, strictly follow the dosage instructions to avoid overdose. At the same time, maintain good oral hygiene by rinsing your mouth after meals and brushing your teeth morning and night to reduce food residue buildup.
