Wow, I JUST had the exact same problem- my tooth started killing me for no explainable reason- I finally went to the dentist and found out I needed a root canal (and was prescribed some vicodin- which REALLY did the trick) (until it made me vomit and pass out that is). SO, I had to go back to taking aleve- my dentist told me that I could take as many as needed, as long as I didn’t exceed 1,000 milligrams a day. (I think thats what he said) Well, I remember taking about ten for a few days with no problems- but I really don’t know if I’d recommend that much. And like a few people have said- it does take awhile to kick in, so be patient. Just go see the dentist. Hope you feel better! (the pain is a bitch, isn’t it? 
800 mg of ibuprophen is the prescription strength of ibuprophen. That is considered about as strong as Tylenol with codeine. Do not take more than that.
If you take 4 (200 mg.) over the counter ibuprophen, you are taking prescription strength.
If you take 4 asprin or 4 Tylenol (acetominiphen), you are taking an overdose and could damage something.
See your Dr. ASAP.
Just as an aside, and I am no way advocating anyone else doing something this foolish, but my wife regularly takes 1,600 mg (yes, eight 200 mg pills) of ibuprofen at a time, sometimes twice a day. She claims to suffer no ill effects, and refuses to listen to my concerns.
I expect her liver to explode any day now. :rolleyes:
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a good pain killer, often as effective as codiene. But if you need to take more than six tablets a day, it’s time to try something stronger, even though ibuprofen is not as toxic as acetaminophen (Tylenol) in overdose. In my emergency department, I would not give more than two 200mg tablets at once. In Canada, 800mg is DOUBLE usual “prescription strength”.
That being said, a toxic dose might be something like 200mg/kg. Taking a few extra pills for one day won’t usually kill you, but it probably wouldn’t offer any additional relief beyond six tablets either
I would suggest you visit an emergency room. For tooth pain, the doctor will likely add codiene or oxycodone and acetaminophen. If the recommended dose of a medicine doesn’t work, it is unwise to take more, even though this occasionally does help.
I find ibuprofen tends to be more toxic to the kidney than the liver. It can also raise blood pressure and cause internal bleeding; and at higher doses these complications occur more often.
Max dose of ibuprofen is 800mg 4 times daily.
I wouldn’t take that dose over long periods of time without a doctor’s approval.
miatachris, R. Ph.