POLL: Advil(Ibuprofen) Vs. Tylonel(Acetaminophen) for Gums

[KatK]

Hello All! I just got my braces on yesterday, and I'm normally and advil person, but I'm thinking about trying Tylonel. Any opinions?

[Lisa65]

I usually go the ibuprofen route for anything braces-related. It has anti inflammatory properties which seems to be useful if I get discomfort after adjustments. After I had my mini-screws put in, my ortho said that I could take ibuprofen AND paracetamol (acetaminophen) if needed, as they work to block pain in different ways.

[Nawners]

I would have to say ibuprofen. IMO it works better, and for a longer period of time. It's also an anti-inflammatory, so that probably helps.

[Kroozergirl]

My Ortho told me not to use Advil as it can slow the movement of your teeth....So I use Tylenol.

[Lisa65]

There was a thread on here recently about the use of NSAIDS like ibuprofen and the possibility of an adverse effect on tooth movement. I looked for it but couldn't find it. There's an article here that mentions the topic, but the general consensus seems to be that occasionally taking NSAIDS for tooth pain during orthodontic treatment is not enough to hold up the treatment. You'd have to be taking them regularly for it to make a significant difference.

Here's the link http://www.oc-j.com/2-99/drug.htm

and here's another link that says the ibuprofen is the drug of choice http://www.edu.rcsed.ac.uk/Surgeons%20A ... tistry.HTM

[Danielle]

I use Aleve and my Ortho prescribed Ibuprofen for me (when I had a very minor gum "surgery"--I only took one pill). I find that Aleve works better for me than over the counter Advil or Asprin... I have yet to try Tylenol post-adjustments.

[lisaemtp]

I take ibuprofen because of the anti-inflammatory properties and because I've just always preferred it... but it can be rough on your stomach if you are prone to ulcers (take it with food). Acetominophen should be avoided if you have liver problems, and should not be taken in large doses (more than recommended) because it can harm the liver.

[MsTiaLia]

My ortho is not a fan of ibuprofen. He says that b/c it is an anti-inflammatory, it reduces gum swelling that is necessary for your teeth to have ample room to move around. Unfortunately, Ibuprofen is really the only thing that helps with my braces-related pain. So mostly I try to suck it up and deal with the pain, but every once in a while (after painful adjustments) I do take Ibuprofen.

[SnowSara]

I use Aleve, (naproxen sodium) for the worst of it, ibuprofen on days where I'm just a little uncomfortable. I used extra strength tylenol on the day of my last adjustment, and it did nothing!! I went right back to aleve.

[jennandtonic]

My ortho says that ibuprofin, as long as I'm not taking it excessively, won't slow down treatment in any way that she or I would notice. She said for it to slow down treatment I would have to take it every single day, and I usually just take it twice--once before my adjustment, and once after if the adjustment is painful. Tylenol never usually works on my pain.

[skyclad]

I use aleve for headaches and such so it would seem natural to me to use aleve for braces pain.