Your dentist might prescribe you or make use of a lot of medicines while treating you. These medications carry out a lot of functions such as easing your tooth pain, numbing any area in your mouth when a dentist needs to work there, fighting infection, treating oral diseases, and several other things.

Based on your condition, your dentist will prescribe various medicines. The medicine doses and instructions on how to use them vary from patient to patient based on what the drug is used for, the patient's age, weight, and several other considerations. Your dentist will give you information about all medications they might offer you. Ensure you understand why you are taking medicine and discuss with your dentist your other health conditions.

Here are a few medicines that your dentist might prescribe

Medications for controlling your pain 

Local or general anesthesia, intravenous sedation, and nitrous oxide are used during dental procedures to help control pain and anxiety. Some other pain relievers include prescribed or non-prescribed anti-inflammation medications like ibuprofen or any analgesics like acetaminophen and anesthetics.

Anti-inflammation medicines

Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications mainly prescribed post dental surgery to relieve pain and swelling. They are also given in gel or liquid form to assist in treating some oral autoimmune conditions such as oral lichen planus. Your dentist might also recommend non-prescribed anti-inflammatory to relieve pain and swelling after any dental process or when a patient has oral pain. 

Analgesics

Dental anesthetics are mainly used to relieve pain or any irritation caused by several conditions such as toothache, sores such as cold sores, fever blisters, canker sores,  and teething. These medicines are also prescribed to relieve pain caused by dentures or other dental appliances such as braces. Anesthetics are available either by prescription or over-the-counter and come in several forms, which include aerosol, gel, solutions, spray, and ointments. Analgesics for tooth pain must not be used for a long time as they are prescribed for getting temporary relief from the pain until the toothache is treated. Wearers of dentures using anesthetics to relieve pain caused by a new denture must see their dentist determine whether they require any adjustment to prevent sores.

Medications for controlling plaque and gingivitis

Some antibacterial mouth rinsing products help in plaque and treating gingivitis in your mouth or your periodontal pockets. This mouth rinse might be given for treating the periodontal disease or might be given post dental processes to assist you in healing.

Antiseptics

Your dentist also recommends using any over-the-counter antiseptic mouth rinse to reduce plaque, germs, and gingivitis that causes bad breath.

Medicines for prohibiting tooth decay

Fluoride prevents tooth decay and is present in several kinds of toothpaste. Your teeth absorb it in strengthening teeth to resist acid and block the bacteria's cavity-forming activity. Fluoride also assists in reducing tooth sensitivity. Fluoride can cause tooth stains.

Prescription-based fluoride is available in the form of liquid, chewable tablets, and other tablets. It is taken once every day. It is prescribed for adults and children living in homes without fluorinated water or for those with a high risk of developing tooth cavities.

Antibiotics

Tetracyclines can be used alone or along with surgery or therapies for

• Decreasing or eliminating bacteria that are associated with periodontal diseases
• Suppressing the damage of the tooth attachment with the bone
• Reducing the pain and irritation of the canker sores

Dental antibiotics are available in several forms, such as gels, microspheres, mouth rinses, and thread-like fibers.

Antibiotics such as amoxicillin can be given before or after a process to reduce the infection risk. Some people must take antibiotics before dental procedures with a history of heart surgeries.

Antifungals

Many antifungal medicines are used for treating oral thrush. The aim here is to stop the candida fungus. Antifungal drugs are available in tablets, liquids, or lozenges that are generally swished around your mouth before getting swallowed.

Muscle relaxants

Muscle relaxants are prescribed to reduce stress to assist you in stopping teeth grinding and treating temporomandibular joint issues.

So, these are a few medicines used in dentistry, but it is recommended to use all medication after consulting your dentist. MyDentalPlan.in is a platform where you will get numerous dentists under one roof.

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About the Author:

Suprithi Choudhary, M.Pharm (Pharmacology) Medical Content writer

Suprithi is a Pharma Professional working as a medical content writer and previously worked as a Research Scientist and Senior Research Analyst

Education

• C.M Academy
• Attended the Panjab University- Chandigarh, Pharma post-graduate in Pharmacology

Special thanks to Dr Deepak Kulkarni, a dental surgeon with over 23 years of experience who proofread this blog. He graduated from the H.K.E's Dental College, Gulbarga, and has certifications in ACHS International Accreditation Education Plan; Advanced Rotary Endodontic - Restorative Continuum; and Leadership, Team Building and Customer Service Leadership from the Oscar Murphy International.