Nonopioid Medications Recommended for Acute Dental Pain Management Over Opioids, Suggests New Clinical Guidelines

A new evidence-based clinical practice guideline from the American Dental Association, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Pennsylvania emphasizes nonopioid medications as the preferred treatment for acute dental pain. 
Based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses, the guideline provides recommendations for managing pain following tooth extraction and for temporary relief of toothache associated with pulp or periapical diseases in adolescents, adults, and older adults.
The panel's review examined the effectiveness of various analgesics, including opioids, nonopioids, and local anesthetics, and found that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alone or combined with acetaminophen, offer superior pain relief and have fewer safety concerns compared to opioids. 
Opioids, while sometimes necessary, should be reserved for cases where nonopioid treatment is inadequate or contraindicated.
The guideline underscores the risks of routine opioid prescribing, particularly in adolescents and young adults, advocating for extreme caution to avoid unnecessary exposure. This approach aims to improve pain management while mitigating the potential for opioid misuse, aligning with broader public health efforts to reduce opioid-related harm.
Clinicians are advised to prioritize nonopioid therapies as the first-line treatment for dental pain, ensuring safer, more effective pain control for patients undergoing tooth extraction or dealing with temporary dental issues.