Anesthetics (Dental)

Proper Use of This Medicine

For safe and effective use of this medicine:

• Follow your medical doctor's or dentist's instructions if this medicine was prescribed.
• Follow the manufacturer's package directions if you are treating yourself.
• Do not use more of this medicine, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than directed . To do so may increase the chance of absorption into the body and the risk of side effects. This is particularly important for young children and elderly patients, especially with lidocaine.
• Dental anesthetics should be used only for conditions being treated by your medical doctor or dentist or for problems listed in the package directions. Do not use any of them for other problems without first checking with your medical doctor or dentist . These medicines should not be used if certain kinds of infections are present.

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

• This medicine may cause serious side effects if too much of it is swallowed. Be certain that you understand exactly how you are to use this medicine, and whether or not you are to swallow it. Follow your medical doctor's or dentist's directions very carefully. Also, be very careful to measure the exact amount of medicine that you are to use . Use a special measuring spoon to measure the amount; regular household teaspoons or soup spoons that you use at the table may not measure the amount correctly. These measures are especially important when this medicine is used for young children, who are especially sensitive to its effects.
• If you are using this medicine for a problem in the mouth, you may apply it to the sore places with a cotton-tipped applicator. Or, you may swish the measured amount of medicine around in your mouth until you are certain that it has reached all of the sore places. Do not swallow the medicine unless your medical doctor or dentist has told you to do so .
• If you are using this medicine for a problem in the throat, gargle with the measured amount of medicine as directed by your doctor. Do not swallow the medicine unless your doctor has told you to do so .

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

• Children may find it difficult to apply this medicine correctly. They should be helped by an adult.
• First, dry the area where the medicine is needed, using a swab included in the package.
• Apply the gel to a second swab. Then roll the swab over the dried area.
• Keep your mouth open and dry for about 30 to 60 seconds after applying the medicine. A film will form where you placed the medicine.
• Do not remove the film. It will slowly disappear and should be gone about 6 hours after the medicine was applied.

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

• Apply the medicine to the sore places with a clean finger, a cotton-tipped applicator, or a piece of gauze.
• When relieving pain caused by dentures or other dental appliances, do not apply this medicine directly to the appliance, and do not place the appliance in your mouth while the medicine is there , unless directed to do so by your dentist. Instead, apply the medicine to the sore areas in your mouth and wait until the pain is relieved. Then rinse your mouth with water before replacing the appliance.

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

• Use a cotton-tipped applicator to dab small amounts of the medicine onto the sore places. Do not rub or try to spread the medicine with your finger while you are applying it, because the medicine will become crumbly and gritty.

To use aerosol or spray forms of a dental anesthetic :

• To help prevent unwanted effects, be very careful not to inhale (breathe in) the medicine. Also, do not spray the back of your mouth or throat with it unless your medical doctor or dentist directs you to do so.

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

• These lozenges should be dissolved slowly in the mouth. Do not bite or chew them or swallow them whole. Before giving a lozenge to a young child, be sure that the child understands these directions and will follow them.

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.

For benzocaine
• For dental paste dosage form:
  • For sores in and around the mouth, sore gums, or pain caused by dental appliances:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 6 years of age and older - Apply a small amount of the medicine to the painful areas.
    • Children up to 6 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your health care professional.
• For film-forming gel, liquid, and ointment dosage forms:
  • For sores in and around the mouth, toothache, sore gums, or pain caused by dental appliances:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 2 years of age and older - Apply a small amount of medicine to the painful areas up to four times a day.
    • Children up to 2 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your health care professional.
• For gel dosage form:
  • For sores in and around the mouth, toothache, sore gums, or pain caused by dental appliances:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 2 years of age and older - Apply a small amount of medicine to the painful areas up to four times a day.
    • Children up to 2 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your health care professional.
  • For teething pain:
    • Infants up to 4 months of age - Use and dose must be determined by your health care professional.
    • Infants and children 4 months to 2 years of age - Apply a small amount of the 7.5% or 10% benzocaine gel to sore gums up to four times a day.
    • Children 2 years of age and older - Apply any strength of benzocaine gel to sore gums up to four times a day.
• For lozenge dosage form:
  • For pain in the mouth or throat:
    • Adults and teenagers - One lozenge, dissolved slowly in the mouth every two hours as needed.
    • Children up to 2 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your health care professional.
    • Children 2 years of age and older - One children's strength (5-milligram [mg]) lozenge, dissolved slowly in the mouth every two hours as needed.
• For aerosol spray dosage form:
  • For pain in the mouth:
    • Adults and teenagers - One or 2 sprays, pointed at the sore places. Each spray should last about one second.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your dentist.

For benzocaine and menthol combination
• For lozenge dosage form:
  • For pain in the mouth or throat:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 2 years of age and older - One lozenge, dissolved slowly in the mouth every two hours as needed.
    • Children up to 2 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your health care professional.

For benzocaine and phenol combination
• For gel dosage form:
  • For sores in and around the mouth, teething, toothache, sore gums, or pain caused by dental appliances:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 2 years of age and older - Apply a small amount of medicine to the painful areas up to four times a day.
    • Children up to 2 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your health care professional.
• For liquid dosage form:
  • For sores in and around the mouth, toothache, sore gums, or pain caused by dental appliances:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children 2 years of age and older - Apply a small amount of medicine to the painful areas up to four times a day.
    • Children up to 2 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your health care professional.

For dyclonine
• For lozenge dosage form:
  • For pain in the mouth or throat:
    • Adults and teenagers - One 2-milligram (mg) or 3-mg lozenge, dissolved slowly in the mouth every two hours as needed.
    • Children up to 2 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your health care professional.
    • Children 2 years of age and older - One children's strength (1.2-mg) lozenge, dissolved slowly in the mouth every two hours as needed.

For lidocaine
• For dental liquid dosage form (e.g., Zilactin-L):
  • For sores on the lips and around the mouth:
    • Adults and teenagers - Apply to sores every one or two hours for the first three days. Then apply as needed.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your health care professional.
• For dental ointment dosage form:
  • For gum pain:
    • Adults - Apply a small amount of medicine to the sore places. Do not apply the ointment directly to dentures, braces, or other dental appliances, unless your dentist has directed you to do so.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your health care professional.
• For aerosol spray dosage form:
  • For pain in the mouth:
    • Adults and teenagers - Two sprays, pointed at the sore places. Do not use more than twenty sprays a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your health care professional.
• For viscous (very thick) solution dosage form (e.g., Xylocaine Viscous):
  • For pain in the mouth:
    • Adults and teenagers - One tablespoonful of medicine (or less), swished around in the mouth, then spit out. Or, apply a total of 1 tablespoonful (or less) to the sore places with a cotton-tipped applicator. This medicine should not be used more often than every three hours.
    • Infants and children up to 3 years of age - Apply a total of one-fourth of a teaspoonful (or less) to the sore places with a cotton-tipped applicator. This medicine should not be used more often than every three hours.
    • Children 3 years of age and older - Apply a small amount of medicine to the sore places with a cotton-tipped applicator. The largest amount that can be used must be determined by your health care professional.
  • For sore throat pain:
    • Adults and teenagers - One tablespoonful, used as a gargle. Swallow after gargling only if directed to do so by your doctor. Otherwise, spit out the medicine after gargling with it.
    • Children - Dose must be determined by your doctor.

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:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store throat lozenge forms of benzocaine, benzocaine and menthol combination, or dyclonine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not puncture, break, or burn aerosol containers, even when they are empty.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.