Are you experiencing any kind of oral pain? Maybe you have a tooth that is giving you problems, or perhaps you just had dental surgery and your mouth is feeling sore. Regardless of the situation you are faced with, being in pain is not enjoyable and should never be endured for a prolonged amount of time.

If you have dental pain that is causing discomfort, you might be tempted to reach for the strongest remedy you can get your hands on. Many people request prescription opioids when their dental pain is extreme. If you are tempted to do the same, think again. Over-the-counter ibuprofen has actually proved to be a better pain-reliever than prescription opioids. What’s more, ibuprofen is also less likely to cause any unwanted side-effects.

Prescribing narcotics, such as opioids, should always be a last resort. If you happen to have a significant amount of dental pain, the first step you should consider is calling your dental care provider. He or she can make sure that you don’t have an emergency and will then be able to offer you suggestions to help you take the edge off. In many cases, a combination of 400 milligrams of ibuprofen and 1,000 milligrams of acetaminophen proved more effective at combating dental pain than any prescription opioids.

May people experiencing dental pain are looking for the quickest solution, yet choosing opioids to handle the situation is a poor decision because they come with so many dangerous side effects. These include drowsiness, nausea or vomiting, constipation and respiratory issues. On the other hand, ibuprofen has proved to offer the best balance between benefits and side effects. In light of the current opioid epidemic that has taken over the United States, patients are being advised to seek alternatives to these dangerous, addictive drugs.