Rapid relief from toothache

Want to provide rapid relief for patients suffering with toothache? Recommend Orajel to relieve their pain whilst they wait for their appointment.

Toothache is a very common problem, affecting around 24% of adults in the UK[i]. Sufferers experience a constant pain in or around a tooth, which might be caused by issues like tooth decay, a dental abscess, a damaged filling, or a tooth fracture.ⁱ It can be triggered by a range of stimuli – including cold drinks or food, sweet foods, biting down, feeling of pressure – and may not subside even once they are removed. Patients might experience a wide range of symptoms including sharp, throbbing, or constant pain, swelling and painful gingiva, a bad taste in the mouth (due to infection), and a fever or headache. Because toothache can have a variety of causes, its important for patients to attend the practice if they experience these symptoms, in case treatment is needed.

It’s important to establish the underlying cause of all dental pain, and to encourage patients with toothache to visit the practice when they are suffering with painful symptoms. However, they may not be able to attend the practice immediately so, in the meantime, it’s important to offer effective advice on pain management at home.

Targeted pain relief when it’s needed most

Often, clinicians may be tempted to provide systemic pain killers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, but these medications can require up to 30 minutes to take effect.[i] Orajel delivers rapid relief in less than two minutes, with its effects lasting for several hours.ⁱⁱ

Orajel is a dental pain relief gel, which works to target pain at the source, offering patients relief from tooth ache when they need it most. Applying a topical solution ensures that patients get pain relief in the right area.[ii] This also means that patients will still be able to clean around the area as normal, rather than avoiding the area when toothbrushing due to pain.

Unique formula for lasting toothache relief

The active ingredients in Orajel include  benzocaine, a local anaesthetic which temporarily blocks the pain pathways along the nerves.[iii] This prevents the brain from receiving signals of pain at the treated site. Patients should apply Orajel to the painful area, and it will work quickly to offer lasting relief from pain.

At its full effect, Orajel lasts from 15-20 minutes, providing total numbness in the area its applied to.ⁱⁱ The effect will then persist at a reduced level for several hours after use, delivering continued pain relief in the topical area. When necessary, advise that patients use Orajel several times per day to experience consistent pain relief.ⁱⁱ

Talking to patients about Orajel

It’s important to check any other medications that your patients are taking before you recommend Orajel, to ensure it can be used safely, and keep in mind that it should only be used on adults and children over the age of two years old. When used as directed, Orajel can provide effective pain relief, so it’s important to talk to patients about how best to use it, based on the type of pain they are experiencing.

For patients with a suspected cavity, recommend that they use a clean finger to apply a pea-sized amount of Orajel directly into the cavity, for use up to four times per day. For patients who are experiencing mouth ulcers or gingival pain, recommend that patients apply a thin layer of Orajel to the tender or painful areas of the mouth.

There are a range of options available to patients, depending on their unique needs. For relief of acute toothache, recommend Orajel Extra Strength, which contains 20% benzocaine, and for rapid toothache relief, recommend Orajel Dental Gel which contains 10% benzocaine. For patients with mouth ulcers or denture pain, suggest that patients use Orajel Mouth Gel which contains 10% benzocaine. Additionally, if patients are experiencing sensitivity, suggest Orajel Sensitivity ProShield toothpaste.

For more information, and to see the full range of Orajel products, please visit https://www.orajel.co.uk/

[i] The Independent Pharmacy. Orajel Extra Strength Toothache Gel. Accessed Oct 24. https://www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk/mouth-ulcers/orajel-extra-strength-toothache-gel

[ii] Orajel Extra Strength 20% dental gel. Summary of Product Characteristics. Updated April 2015. Accessed October 2024. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1231/smpc#gref

[iii] Orajel Dental Gel. Summary of Product Characteristics. Accessed October 2024. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1230/smpc

[i] Oral Health Foundation. New research uncovers UK’s most common dental issues. Accessed Sept 2024. https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/new-research-uncovers-uks-most-common-dental-issues