ArticleCureus2026
Self-Prescribed Analgesic Use for Acute Dental Pain Among Saudi Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
introductionSelf-medication with analgesics is a common practice for managing dental pain and may delay appropriate dental care. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, awareness, and practices related to self-prescribed analgesic use for toothache among adults living in Saudi Arabia.
methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted over one week using an online convenience sampling method targeting adults aged ≥18 years across five regions of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a structured Arabic questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, dental history, pain characteristics, and self-medication practices. Ethical approval was obtained prior to data collection. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
resultsA total of 1,588 participants were included, of whom 750 (47.2%) reported using analgesics to manage dental pain. Ibuprofen was the most commonly used analgesic (58%). Alternative pain management methods included herbal remedies (10.8%), rinsing with salted water (5.4%), and seeking medical consultation (4.7%). Multiple pain relief methods were reported by 27.3% of participants. Self-prescribed analgesic use was significantly associated with age (p = 0.005), marital status (p = 0.017), region of residence (p < 0.0001), dental insurance status (p = 0.032), pain source (p = 0.033), and pain severity (p < 0.0001).
conclusionsSelf-medication with analgesics for dental pain is highly prevalent among adults in Saudi Arabia and is influenced by demographic and pain-related factors. These findings highlight the need for public health interventions focusing on patient education regarding the risks of self-medication and improving access to timely and affordable dental care.
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