Some discomfort is normal after oral surgery.
- You should begin taking pain medication prior to the local anesthetic wearing off.
- You will either be given pain medicine in the office, or you may begin taking pain
medication when you get home, along with some food.
We recommend starting with ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) 600 mg.
- Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets; 3 tablets may be
taken 4 times daily, not to exceed 3200 mg daily for an adult. - In addition to ibuprofen, 1 or 2 tablets of acetaminophen (Tylenol 325 mg or
Tylenol Extra Strength 500 mg) may be taken every 4 hours, not to exceed 3000
mg a day.
An excellent over-the-counter option is to alternate between ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol®) every 3–4 hours, which is ideal for managing most types of pain after oral surgery. You can also take both Ibuprofen and Tylenol at the same time for management of severe pain. If you have been prescribed a narcotic (opioid) pain medication (e.g., Tylenol #3, Norco®, Vicodin®, Ultram®), please use only as directed.
- We recommend only using opioid pain medication if the above regimen is not adequately managing your pain.
- You may alternate the opioid with ibuprofen if instructed to do so.
- The opioid you have been prescribed also has acetaminophen, so be mindful
of the 3000 mg maximum daily dose.
Opioids do have some unpleasant side effects and can also be habit forming
- Constipation, nausea, and sometimes vomiting are common.
- Drowsiness, which can impair your reflexes and judgment, is also common.
- Therefore, if you take this medication, do not drive, operate machinery, go to
work or school, or make important decisions. - Avoid alcoholic beverages or other sedative medications while on opioid pain
medication.
If you have reduced kidney function, please consult with your physician, as you may need to alter the dosing of ibuprofen.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with these medications by reading the package insert and/or information provided by your pharmacist.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call your treating doctor
Reed Ference (518)-221-2063
Sean Ference (518)-221-2160
Office Phone (518)-489-3201