What's up with no ibuprofen????

[Jami1]

I've been scrolling through some of the posts and have come across several posts saying that ibuprofen will slow the or stop tooth movement.... what is the theory behind this and why doesn't the ortho say anything about it.
Do I need to give up my ibuprofen along with my red wine, coffee nuts etc..? This 2 year sentence is getting longer by the second😝

[justwrong]

i’ve never heard of this but if you google it some research does come up... My ortho has never said anything about it personally, i don’t know if it really has a significant impact.

[cakers]

I have read that some mild inflammation is an important part of the process.

[djspeece]

I think there is (possibly) mixed opinion amongst the professionals on this issue. Ibuprofen is my go-to medication for any dental or orthopedic pain -- it specifically targets biochemical intermediaries associated with those types of pain. In theory, it could slow down the remodeling process that is necessary for tooth movement; however my ortho had no issue with it, and I also do not understand (as an RN) how the occasional use of ibuprofen would significantly impede tooth movement. I used it from time to time, mostly after a new powerchain was installed, and in accordance with label directions (i.e., take with food, don't take if allergic to it, and so forth). I never hesitated to take it before a meal as needed, or at night to reduce that nagging discomfort that seems so much worse at bedtime.

Also, I did not give up coffee or red wine. Actually I didn't give up anything, now that i think about it. Life is too short. You may want to use the search function to locate the thread "Confess your Orthodontic Sins," that was started by oldfart.

[pcspinheiro]

My opinion is that there is a large difference between occasional use and continued use. This NSAID, like all COX inhibitors, will have anti-inflammatory properties, but to have such an effect one likely needs several doses at specific (and close) intervals to reach a steady spam spam level that will put a definitive brake on the production of prostaglandins, namely H2 (mediators of pain and inflammation). Otherwise, being a slow process, ongoing inflammation will likely not be heavily influenced by sporadic doses. I did some medical writing a while back on NSAIDS and what worries me the most is their side effects with continued use, that can be pretty serious.

This to say, the occasional intake of ibuprofen should not delay tooth movement appreciably, but using it for a full week because teeth are sore, (as they often are in the first few days/week after a new wire or elastics or whatever contraption was thrown at your teeth, and it's when they actually start moving) will most definitely slow or stop the movement. My educated guess is that it may actually cause damage to the periodontal tissues due to the pressure not being relieved through tooth movement.

In the end, if you don't have any reason not to, take paracetamol instead.

[cbraces678]

My opinion is that there is a large difference between occasional use and continued use. This NSAID, like all COX inhibitors, will have anti-inflammatory properties, but to have such an effect one likely needs several doses at specific (and close) intervals to reach a steady spam spam level that will put a definitive brake on the production of prostaglandins, namely H2 (mediators of pain and inflammation). Otherwise, being a slow process, ongoing inflammation will likely not be heavily influenced by sporadic doses. I did some medical writing a while back on NSAIDS and what worries me the most is their side effects with continued use, that can be pretty serious.

This to say, the occasional intake of ibuprofen should not delay tooth movement appreciably, but using it for a full week because teeth are sore, (as they often are in the first few days/week after a new wire or elastics or whatever contraption was thrown at your teeth, and it's when they actually start moving) will most definitely slow or stop the movement. My educated guess is that it may actually cause damage to the periodontal tissues due to the pressure not being relieved through tooth movement.

In the end, if you don't have any reason not to, take paracetamol instead.

Wow, that is very interesting that you did some medical writing!! Thanks for the info.

[pcspinheiro]

I'm a researcher and sometimes I get asked to write scientific articles for pharma companies, either to publish the results of clinical trials or reviews of whatever medical subject (that I must, of course, learn about in depth, in order to do a good job.
Funny that something I wrote (probably just the word spam spam), got edited as spam.

[pcspinheiro]

Aha, it is the word "p l a s m a" getting edited as spam spam! Why's that?

[vampirefangs22]

I've heard something about it slowing down tooth movement, but I haven't personally had any problems from taking ibuprofen throughout my orthodontic treatment.

[Danielle]

Somebody go back in time and tell my Dentist! She prescribed it to me when dealing with my wisdom teeth removal while I in the middle of my braces wearing years.