Pain Medication Instructions

Keeping you comfortable during your recovery is very important to us. Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. Proper use of pain medications is critical to help keep you comfortable.

A narcotic pain medication may be prescribed following oral surgery. However, many patients find they do not require the stronger prescription medication for pain relief. Additionally, patients can experience significant side effects from these medications that include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness, and constipation. Also, you should not drive and avoid consuming alcohol while taking narcotic pain medications.

The following is a regimen that may minimize or eliminate the need for the narcotic pain medications. We recommend that you follow the first level and move up the ladder of pain management if needed for more moderate to severe pain relief. If you take the first doses before the local anesthetic has worn off, you should be able to manage any discomfort better.

First Level for Mild Pain

Three 200mg Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) tablets every 6 hours.
Or
Two 325mg Acetaminophen (Tylenol) tablets every 6 hours.

Second Level for Moderate Pain

Three 200mg Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) tablets every 6 hours and two 325mg Acetaminophen (Tylenol) tablets every 6 hours alternating medications every 3 hours.

Third Level for Severe Pain

Take the prescribed pain medication (Percocet, Vicodin, Tylenol #3) as scheduled.
Continue taking three Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) tablets every 6 hours as in Level 2.