Medical management of dental and oral pain

Abstract

Patients may consult medical practitioners because of painful dental or oral conditions. Medical practitioners need to be aware of common dental and oral diseases in order to manage the patient's pain, but it is even more important to encourage the patient to see a dentist. Typically there is an underlying disease that must be managed by dental or surgical means rather than medication alone. Pain-relieving drugs are considered to be an adjunct to dental treatment rather than a 'first-line' approach. When drugs are needed, anti-inflammatory drugs are appropriate as most dental pain is caused by inflammation. Antibiotics are not necessary in many cases.