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Anesthetics  (Dental)

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Contents of this page:

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • Anbesol, Baby1
  • Anbesol Maximum Strength Gel1
  • Anbesol Maximum Strength Liquid1
  • Anbesol Regular Strength Gel3
  • Anbesol Regular Strength Liquid3
  • Benzodent1
  • Chloraseptic Lozenges2
  • Chloraseptic Lozenges, Children's1
  • Dentapaine1
  • Dent-Zel-Ite1
  • Hurricaine1
  • Numzident1
  • Num-Zit Gel1
  • Num-Zit Lotion1
  • Orabase, Baby1
  • Orabase-B with Benzocaine1
  • Orajel, Baby1
  • Orajel Maximum Strength1
  • Orajel Nighttime Formula, Baby1
  • Oratect Gel1
  • Rid-A-Pain1
  • SensoGARD Canker Sore Relief1
  • Spec-T Sore Throat Anesthetic1
  • Sucrets, Children's4
  • Sucrets Maximum Strength4
  • Sucrets Regular Strength4
  • Xylocaine5
  • Xylocaine Viscous5
  • Zilactin-L5

In Canada—

  • Anbesol Baby Jel1
  • Anbesol Gel3
  • Anbesol Liquid3
  • Anbesol Maximum Strength Liquid3
  • Chloraseptic Lozenges Cherry Flavor2
  • Dentocaine1
  • Orajel, Baby1
  • Orajel Extra Strength1
  • Orajel Liquid1
  • Topicaine1
  • Xylocaine5
  • Xylocaine Viscous5

Note:

For quick reference, the following anesthetics are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.

Other commonly used names are: dyclocaine; ethyl aminobenzoate; lignocaine

This information applies to the following medicines:
1.  Benzocaine (BEN-zoe-kane)
2.  Benzocaine and Menthol (BEN-zoe-kane and MEN-thole)
3.  Benzocaine and Phenol (BEN-zoe-kane and FEE-nole)
4.  Dyclonine (DYE-kloe-neen)
5.  Lidocaine (LYE-doe-kane)
‡  Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§  Generic name product may be available in Canada
*  Not commercially available in the U.S.
†  Not commercially available in Canada

Category


Description

Dental anesthetics (an-ess-THET-iks) are used in the mouth to relieve pain or irritation caused by many conditions. Examples include toothache, teething, and sores in or around the mouth, such as cold sores, canker sores, and fever blisters. Also, some of these medicines are used to relieve pain or irritation caused by dentures or other dental appliances, including braces. However, if you have an infection or a lot of large sores in your mouth, check with your medical doctor or dentist before using a dental anesthetic because other kinds of treatment may be needed. Also, the chance of side effects is increased.

One form of lidocaine is also used to relieve pain caused by certain throat conditions. Some forms of benzocaine, benzocaine and menthol combination, and dyclonine are also used to relieve sore throat pain.

Some of these medicines are available only with your medical doctor's or dentist's prescription. Others are available without a prescription; however, your medical doctor or dentist may have special instructions on the proper use and dose for your medical problem. Some nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) aerosols, gels, liquids, or ointments that contain a local anesthetic are not meant to be used in or around the mouth. If you have any questions about which product to use, check with your pharmacist.

These medicines are available in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

If you are taking this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For dental anesthetics, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to a local anesthetic, especially one that was applied to any part of the body as a liquid, cream, ointment, or spray. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Dental anesthetics have not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding—Dental anesthetics have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Children may be especially sensitive to the effects of dental anesthetics. This may increase the chance of unwanted effects, some of which can be serious, during treatment. When using a dental anesthetic for a child, be very careful not to use more of the medicine than directed on the label, unless otherwise directed by your health care professional. Teething medicines that contain benzocaine may be used in babies 4 months of age and older. One product that contains benzocaine (Orabase-B with Benzocaine) may be used in children 6 years of age and older. Most of the other nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines that contain a dental anesthetic may be used in children 2 years of age and older. However, these other nonprescription products should not be used in infants or children younger than 2 years of age unless prescribed by a health care professional.

Older adults—Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of many local anesthetics. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment, especially with lidocaine. Nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) products containing local anesthetics are not likely to cause problems. However, elderly people should be especially careful not to use more medicine than directed on the package label, unless otherwise directed by a medical doctor or a dentist.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Before you use a dental anesthetic, check with your medical doctor, dentist, or pharmacist if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.



Proper Use of This Medicine

For safe and effective use of this medicine:

To use the viscous (very thick) liquid form of lidocaine (e.g., Xylocaine Viscous):

To use benzocaine film-forming gel (e.g., Oratect Gel):

To use other gel or liquid forms of a dental anesthetic :

To use benzocaine dental paste (e.g., Orabase-B with Benzocaine):

To use aerosol or spray forms of a dental anesthetic :

To use lozenge forms of benzocaine, benzocaine and menthol, or dyclonine:

Dosing—

The dose of these medicines will be different for different patients. Follow your health care professional's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your medical doctor or dentist tells you to do so.

Missed dose—

If your health care professional has directed you to use this medicine on a regular schedule, and you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

Check with your medical doctor:

You may have a condition that needs other treatment.

Check with your health care professional:

You may have a condition that needs other treatment.

Check with your dentist:

False test results may occur if benzocaine or lidocaine is present in your body when a certain laboratory test is done. This test uses a medicine called bentiromide (e.g., Chymex) to show how well your pancreas is working. You should not use any products containing benzocaine or lidocaine for about 72 hours (3 days) before this test is done.

If you are using this medicine in the back of the mouth, or in the throat, do not eat or drink anything for one hour after using it. When this medicine is applied to these areas, it may interfere with swallowing and cause choking.

Do not chew gum or food while your mouth or throat feels numb after you use this medicine. To do so may cause an injury. You may accidentally bite your tongue or the inside of your cheeks.


Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Stop using this medicine and check with your medical doctor or dentist immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Also, check with your health care professional as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your medical doctor or dentist.


Revised: 06/13/2000

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