My husband 39yr old has been suffering from a bad tooth ache.what can be good to is off the pain until he can go to the dentist?has been taking motrin

That's about it...: Motrin/ibuprofen (assuming he's medically able to take it) is typically the best thing until he can get to a dentist. Sometimes a combination of Motrin and tylenol (acetaminophen) works well too as well as cold compresses. Ultimately though, a dentist is going to have to do something definitive to resolve the issue in a more permanent manner...But you already knew that. Good luck!

Continue current med: Anti-inflammatory medications such as motrin, advil, (ibuprofen) alleve can be very effective for dental pain but the root cause of the problem must be found, such as an infection, and managed appropriately by a dentist.

Ibuprofen/tylenol: Depending on severity of pain will depend on how aggressive you want to treat it. My aggressive protocol is alternating 1 extra strength tylenol (acetaminophen) tab (500mg) and two 200mg Ibuprofen tabs (400mg) every 2-3 hours. My less aggressive protocol is alternating that regimen every 4 hours. If that doesn't work then you will need a prescription for something stronger or an antibiotic.

OTC, DDS ASAP!: Different otc pain medications work differently for each individual. Motrin, aleve, advil, aspirin, tylenol (acetaminophen) are typical otc medications. I usually tell my patients to take what they normally take for a headache. For me, 600mg advil works fine. However, consider having your husband see a dentist right away. If you can't get a same day appointment, find another dentist. Re-think his priorities.

Pinch of salt: I know it may sound totally off the wall, but i've had good success treating tooth inflammation with a pinch of salt. A small one goes on the inflamed gum and kept their until absorbed. Seems to have worked in at least 2 cases, of which one was my own daughter.

Antibiotics : If there is an infection antibiotics can help until your husband can get to the dentist. They can control the symptoms as they control the abscess. However it is not a cure and it will come back once he stops taking the antibiotics. He should get definitive treatment asap.