10- and 20-Percent Benzocaine Gels Are Effective for the Temporary Relief of Toothache and Are Well-tolerated

US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Drug Safety Communication: reports of a rare, but serious and potentially fatal adverse effect with the use of over-the-counter (OTC) benzocaine gels and liquids applied to the gums or mouth. www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/ucm250024.htm. Gangarosa, 1989, Use of verbal descriptors, thermal scores and electrical pulp testing as predictors of tooth pain before and after application of benzocaine gels into cavities of teeth with pulpitis, Anesth Prog, 36, 272 Gangarosa, 2013 Weisleder, 2009, The validity of pulp testing: a clinical study, J Am Dent Assoc, 140, 1013, 10.14219/jada.archive.2009.0312 Hasler, 1970, Painless pulpitis, J Am Dent Assoc, 81, 671, 10.14219/jada.archive.1970.0293 Orajel® maximum strength toothache pain relief gel: view product label. http://www.orajel.com/adult-oral-care/toothache/Products/orajel-maximum-strength-toothache-pain-relief-gel.aspx.