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Drug Info

Is naproxen good for tooth pain?

Naproxen is an NSAID that may help with tooth pain
By | Oct. 9, 2024
Spilled bottle of white tablets: Is naproxen good for tooth pain?

Key takeaways

  • Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is an effective analgesic for dental pain management.

  • Having the same mechanism of action as ibuprofen, naproxen can relieve toothaches to a similar extent as ibuprofen but with a longer duration of action.

  • Like all members of its drug class, naproxen poses a risk of bleeding, stomach ulcers, kidney damage, and cardiovascular events, meaning that it may not be the best choice for all patients.

  • Acetaminophen and opioid pain relievers are alternative analgesics for dental pain and avoid some of the risks of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but they are generally less effective and carry their own hazards.

In this article:

Naproxen is a generic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It functions as an analgesic for pain relief and an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling. These combined effects make it a good choice for most people suffering from tooth pain. Considering how intense dental pain can be, you are sure to benefit from knowing more about naproxen use in this setting, as well as learning about other options.

Does naproxen help with tooth pain?

Typical dental pain arises from a nerve that has become exposed or compressed due to infection or dental procedures. Like other NSAIDs, naproxen can alleviate this pain by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes, which propagate the inflammatory cycle. Quick pain relief can follow, and as swelling around the nerve dissipates, further reduction in discomfort can be realized.

Naproxen has been put to the test for this use. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated its effectiveness in postoperative dental pain. Naproxen even seemed a little better than ibuprofen in the study, a finding that was duplicated in a 2019 study comparing the two NSAIDs for dental pain. The superiority of naproxen in these clinical trials is based on its longer duration of action, lasting up to 12 hours, compared to ibuprofen, which can wear off in 6 hours.

How fast does naproxen work for tooth pain?

Coupling an extended duration of analgesia with relatively fast relief would make for an ideal pain medication. Naproxen gets to work in about 30 to 60 minutes for tooth pain, which puts it in the same ballpark as ibuprofen, known commonly by brand names Advil or Motrin. Time to onset of action is fairly consistent amongst different individuals. It is the duration of action that varies mores, being extended in those with kidney disease in particular.

Naproxen dosage for tooth pain

Naproxen can be obtained over-the-counter at a 220 mg dose, including generic forms and brand-name Aleve. With a prescription, naproxen comes in 250 mg, 375 mg, 500 mg, and 550 mg tablets. Naprosyn is a brand-name product. 

Between 220 mg and 500 mg per dose is typically taken every 12 hours as needed. Repeat doses can be taken every 12 hours. The maximum daily dose is listed as 1 g usually, but up to 1.5 g per day has been reported for some indications.

Naproxen can also be found in delayed release tablets containing 375 mg, 500 mg or 750 mg. This formulation permits convenient once-daily dosing. EC-Naprosyn, EC-Naproxen, and Naprelan are brand-names of the extended-release version. Remember your free SingleCare discount card if you are interested in a lower price.

Naproxen alternatives for tooth pain

Naproxen is only one member of the NSAID family. As we have discussed, ibuprofen is another option, albeit one with a shorter duration of action than naproxen. Meloxicam is an NSAID that lasts even longer than naproxen, allowing it to be dosed only once daily. It outperformed another NSAID, diclofenac, in a head-to-head comparison study.

Meloxicam is more selective in inhibiting the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme. Less inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzyme is thought to translate to less side effects like bleeding and stomach ulcers. This characteristic could make meloxicam a better choice than naproxen for those at higher risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects. However, if this is a concern, Celebrex (celecoxib) is truly a selective COX-2 inhibitor and NSAID that could be safer for the stomach than meloxicam or naproxen.

Stepping away from NSAIDs altogether could be necessary. People with a history of bleeding, kidney disease, or heart disease may be at too much risk from NSAID side effects. Another example is a patient taking anticoagulants or blood thinners, which create an untenable bleeding risk when combined with NSAIDs.

Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be a safer option than naproxen, or any NSAID for that matter, for folks with underlying renal or cardiovascular health conditions or at risk for bleeding. It is among the recommended painkillers for acute and postoperative dental pain, according to a systematic review on the subject. High doses of acetaminophen can be harmful to the liver, so limited dosing is necessary. Avoidance may be best amongst those with liver disease and heavy alcohol use.

Lastly, opioids are also listed in the aforementioned topic review. Members of this drug class include hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, and tramadol. Although they are often considered the most potent painkillers, in reality, NSAIDs like naproxen and ibuprofen are more effective. Opiate analgesics carry a risk of vomiting, constipation, respiratory depression, dependence, and addiction. Based on these adverse effects and lower efficacy, they have become less commonly prescribed.

Combining pain relievers from different categories may be a good option. Naproxen is an effective analgesic for acute dental pain, but if additional relief is needed, acetaminophen could be added in some cases. Opiates could also be used in tandem with NSAIDs or acetaminophen in extreme cases. 

Keep in mind that as medication doses and numbers increase, so does the risk of adverse reactions. Ask your healthcare provider for medical advice about which painkiller is right for you. They will need to take into account your medical history and your list of prescription meds, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements to give you the best recommendation.