Dental infections are usually caused by bacteria, and your dentist may prescribe antibiotics. They need to make sure that the antibiotic is suitable for the bacteria in question. In some cases, other methods may be more appropriate.
A tooth infection or tooth abscess is usually caused by tooth decay. However, it can also develop due to previous dental work or injury.
When an infection occurs, pockets of pus may form in the mouth due to bacterial overgrowth. This infection often causes swelling, pain, and tenderness in the area.
Although some over-the-counter pain relievers can relieve pain, antibiotics are needed to fight the bacteria causing the infection. Some antibiotics are more effective for dental infections than others. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other areas of the jaw and even to the brain.
Early treatment of tooth decay is also important to prevent dental infections. Tooth decay is common. As one article notes, 91% of adults ages 20 to 64 have tooth decay. Additionally, about 27% of people in the same age group suffer from untreated tooth decay.
Sometimes dentists may prescribe antibiotics as a preventative measure against infection. Anyone experiencing dental symptoms should see a dentist immediately.
In most cases, dentists usually prescribe antibiotics to treat dental infections. However, not all infected teeth require antibiotics.
In some cases, the dentist can solve the problem by simply draining the fluid from the infected area, removing the infected tooth, or performing a root canal.
Largely due to growing antibiotic resistance, doctors tend to avoid prescribing antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. This includes situations where the infection is severe or spreading, or if a person’s immune system is weakened.
There are more than 150 different strains of bacteria in the mouth. Many of these bacteria can grow and cause infection.
Although antibiotics can help treat dental infections, it is important to use the appropriate antibiotic on a case-by-case basis.
Treatment may vary depending on the bacteria causing the infection, but in most cases, the dentist will simply recommend an antibiotic that is effective against several types.
Penicillins are common forms of antibiotics used to treat dental infections. These include penicillin and amoxicillin.
Some dentists may also recommend amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, which can be purchased under the brand name Augmentin. This combination may help kill more stubborn bacteria.
The typical dose of amoxicillin used to treat dental infections is 500 milligrams (mg) every 8 hours or 1,000 mg every 12 hours.
Typical doses of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid are approximately 500–2000 mg every 8 hours or 2000 mg every 12 hours, depending on the lowest effective dose.
However, because some bacteria can become resistant to these drugs, many doctors now choose other antibiotics as first-line treatment.
Additionally, some people may be allergic to these types of antibiotics. Anyone who has had an allergic reaction to such medications should tell their dentist before receiving treatment recommendations.
As noted in a 2015 study, some researchers recommend clindamycin as the drug of choice for treating dental infections because bacteria may be less resistant to the drug than penicillins.
The typical dose of clindamycin is 300 or 600 mg every 8 hours, depending on the effective dose.
It may be effective in treating some dental infections. However, dentists may only recommend it to people who are allergic to penicillins or who have not responded to penicillins or other drugs (such as clindamycin).
Although antibiotics can help clear up an infection or prevent it from developing after dental treatment, these medications have some possible side effects.
However, these side effects may vary depending on each antibiotic. Before starting a specific treatment, it is important to discuss any possible side effects from the medication with your doctor.
The time it takes for each antibiotic to work depends on many factors, such as the severity of the infection and how effectively the drug kills the infectious bacteria.
It is very important that people complete their antibiotic treatment and take all medications prescribed to them exactly as their dentist told them to.
Although a person may begin to notice symptoms disappear after taking a few doses, a full course of antibiotics can help prevent the infection from returning or getting worse.
Antibiotics can help get rid of active infections. However, the tooth needs restoration to prevent infection. This usually means performing one or more procedures in this area, such as:
Treating dental infections with antibiotics is only part of the solution. In fact, most dental infections require treatment of the tooth itself to completely clear it.
Adopting good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing your teeth daily and visiting your dentist regularly for checkups, can help prevent dental infections and their complications.
Although antibiotics can help clear up a tooth infection, they are only part of the solution. Most dental infections require dental surgery, such as root canal treatment or tooth extraction, to be completely cured.
It is important to start treatment promptly to prevent the infection from spreading. Some helpful home remedies can help quell swelling or relieve pain while taking antibiotics and preparing for dental surgery.
No antibiotic is the best treatment for dental infections. The type of antibiotics recommended by your dentist will vary depending on the bacteria causing the infection.
This is because different antibiotics work differently to kill different strains of bacteria. However, doctors usually choose amoxicillin as a first-line treatment.
Once a person starts taking antibiotics, the infection begins to clear up within 2-3 days. A person must complete the entire course of treatment prescribed by the doctor, even if he begins to feel better faster. The usual treatment cycle is 7 days.
Research shows that when a person starts taking antibiotics to treat a tooth infection, they begin to experience some pain relief within 24 hours. After 24 hours, the pain intensity may increase slightly. After 7 days, a slight decrease may be observed again.
While taking antibiotics, people can use over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen to control pain.
Post time: Sep-26-2023