Pain Management

Getting relief from dental pain is important. It is important to tell your dentist about all of the medications you are taking, including prescription and/or over-the-counter.  Acetaminophen is common pain reliever that is safe and effective when used as directed.  But it is also possible to take too much of it.  Taking more than the maximum daily dose can have harmful health effects including potentially causing severe liver damage.

Some medications that are prescribed for dental pain may contain acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is in hundreds of OTC medicines you can buy without a prescription including multi-ingredient medicines for cold and flu, allergy, and even sleeplessness. 

Lower you risk of taking too much acetaminophen by always reading the label and following directions.

  1. Don’t take more than a total of 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours.  If more is taken, it could have serious effects on your health, such as severe liver damage
  2. You should also be aware of how much acetaminophen you take at one time. 
  3. Do not take two doses too close together.  Always follow the label.

If you accidentally take more than your recommended dosage, get help immediately. Call your health care professional right away.  Here are some signs and symptoms of overdose: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating more than usual, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right part of your stomach, unusual bleeding or bruising, and yellowing of your skin and/or eyes.