Dental Abscess With Facial Cellulitis
A dental abscess is an infection at the base of a tooth. It means a pocket of fluid has formed at the tip of a tooth root in your jawbone. If the infection isnt treated, more serious infections may spread to the face . This makes your face swell. Facial cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying soft tissues. This is a very serious condition. Once the infection and swelling starts, it can spread quickly.
A dental abscess often starts with a crack or cavity in a tooth. The pain is often made worse by having hot or cold drinks, or biting on hard foods. The pain may spread from the tooth to your ear, or to the area of your jaw on the same side.
Can You Be Allergic To Clindamycin
Allergic reactions rarely happen after taking Clindamycin. If youre experiencing rashes, visit your doctor or dentist. You may have a drug allergy.Its out of common, but Clindamycin can also cause anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening reaction.If Clindamycin doesnt suit you, youll most probably experience allergic symptoms within 30 minutes following the drug intake.
- itchy hives
- swollen throat, making it difficult to breathe or swallow
- tightness in chest
- vomiting
- sense of impending doom
An anaphylactic reaction to Clindamycin will rarely occur, but you should know about the signs so you can call for a medical emergency.
When You Might Need Antibiotics After A Tooth Extraction
Dental extractions are usually straightforward and safe treatments. However, there are certain conditions that might put you at a higher risk of developing an infection. If you have a medical condition that increases your risk of infection, we will recommend antibiotics before and after your extraction. If you have one of the following conditions or a history of medical conditions or medications, make sure you let our dentist know before having a tooth pulled:
Damaged heart-valve or a heart-valve transplant
Congenital heart defects
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What Causes A Tooth Abscess
Anything that creates an opening for bacteria to get into the tooth or surrounding tissues can lead to a tooth infection. Causes include:
- Severe tooth decay: A cavity, or tooth decay, is the destruction of the hard surfaces of the tooth. This occurs when bacteria break down sugars in food and drink, creating acid that attacks enamel.
- Broken, chipped or cracked teeth: Bacteria can seep into any opening in a tooth and spread to the pulp.
- Gum disease : Gum disease is an infection and inflammation of the tissues around the teeth. As gum disease progresses, the bacteria gain access to deeper tissues.
- Injury to the tooth: Trauma to a tooth can injure the inner pulp even if theres no visible crack. The injury makes it susceptible to infection.
List Of Types And Dosages
Although antibiotics can help clear a tooth infection, it is important to use the appropriate antibiotic in each situation.
The type of antibiotic a dentist recommends will vary depending on the bacteria causing the infection. This is because different antibiotics work in different ways to eliminate different strains of bacteria.
As a study in the Dentistry Journal notes, there are over 150 different strains of bacteria that occur in the mouth. Many of these bacteria have the potential to grow and cause an infection.
Treatment may change depending on the bacteria causing the infection, though much of the time, dentists simply recommend an antibiotic that works against many types.
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What Is The Best Antibiotic For Tooth Infection Treatment
In many cases, antibiotics from the penicillin class, including penicillin and amoxicillin, are the best antibiotics for tooth infection. But that doesn’t mean these are the right choices for everyone! In fact, antibiotics may not be what you need even If you have a tooth infection.
You should never take an antibiotic without a prescription from your dentist or doctor. Many people take antibiotics without a prescription, and this is leading to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
That means that some bacterial infections can no longer be treated with antibiotics which is a scary thought!
Instead of antibiotics, your dentist may decide that the best course of action is to drain your abscess, perform a root canal, or possibly remove the infected tooth.
That being said, you are more likely to receive antibiotics for a tooth infection when your infection is severe and spreading or if you are an individual with a weakened immune system.
The best antibiotic for a tooth infection will depend on the type of bacteria that is causing your infection and the location of your infection. That’s because different classes of antibiotics work in different ways to fight bacteria.
This is one of the reasons why it’s essential to take the antibiotic exactly as prescribed by your dentist until you’ve finished your prescribed course of treatment. Your dentist or doctor will know which is the best drug to take for your infection based on your medical history and the type of infection.
How Long Does It Take For Amoxicillin To Work For A Tooth Infection
If you take the amoxicillin antibiotic for tooth infection, you may begin to feel better in just one to two days. However, that doesn’t mean that your infection is cured.
You must make sure to take your antibiotics for as many days as specified in your prescription, and even though you may feel better in a couple of days, your infection probably won’t be gone until a week to 10 days have passed.
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Antibiotic Coverage During The Endodontic Procedure
The most conventional therapy in case of dental abscess requires two different procedures. First the dentist has to drain the bump to allow the pus to come out. To do that, your doctor will puncture the boil containing the yellowish fluid and press it gently to get it all out. As soon as the pus starts to exit, you will feel immediately.
The second step has the scope to remove all the infected material from within the dental element. The clinician will use surgical instruments like files and reamers to clean and shape the root canal. At this point, antibiotics for abscess avoid that additional bacteria contaminate the surgical area.
Dangers Of An Unresolved Dental Abscesses
Leaving an abscess untreated will lead to serious medical complications in addition to severe pain. The infection will spread to other parts of your body, including your brain and nearby organs.
A dental abscess infection that travels to the brain is very difficult to treat because of the blood-brain barrier. Its also common for infections to spread into the sinuses.
An infection in your teeth or gums might indicate that you have heart health problems. Researchers believe gum disease is linked to heart disease and heart attack risk.
The infection can also spread to the surrounding bones. Facial bones are especially intolerant to infection. There is a high risk that bone removal will be needed to stop the further spread of the infection.
Even if you have a mild abscess, it can spread and weaken the bones, which creates problems in the future for your teeth.
An untreated abscess also poses a risk for tooth loss. Usually, a root canal and crown are enough to save the affected tooth. However, left untreated, theres a high likelihood your dentist will need to pull the tooth.
One of the most serious issues linked to untreated dental abscesses is . This is an infection in the bloodstream and it puts your entire body at risk.
If the abscess is not treated in time and it ruptures, the infection can spill into your blood and circulate throughout your body. and requires IV antibiotic treatment and long-term hospitalization.
Summary
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What Is An Abscessed Tooth
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection. Abscesses can occur in different places around a tooth for different reasons and affect the involved tooth, but also the surrounding bone and sometimes adjacent teeth. Three types of tooth infections can cause abscesses:
- Gingival: This infection develops in the gums. It does not usually affect the tooth or supporting structures.
- Periapical: A periapical abscess is an infection that forms at the tip of the root. This occurs because bacteria can spread to the inside of the tooth to the pulp through a fracture or cavity. The pulp is the innermost part of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. When bacteria invades the pulp, they can spread to the tip of the tooths root causing the infection to spread to the bone eventually leading to an abscess.
- Periodontal: This infection starts in bone and tissues that support the tooth. A periodontal abscess usually results from periodontitis or gum disease and is more common among adults.
What Is The Prognosis For A Dental Abscess
The prognosis is good for resolution of a small dental abscess once it has ruptured or been drained. If the symptoms are improving, it is unlikely that the infection is getting worse. Larger abscesses need immediate medical care, often requiring drainage and antibiotics. Proper follow-up care with a dentist is mandatory for the reassessment of the infection and for taking care of the problem tooth.
- Care might include pulling the tooth or having a root canal performed on it.
- Dental abscesses that have extended to the floor of the mouth or to the neck can threaten a person’s airway and ability to breathe and may be life-threatening unless they are properly drained.
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What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture . Do not refrigerate clindamycin liquid because it may thicken and become hard to pour. Dispose of any unused clindamycin liquid after 2 weeks.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
How To Prevent Antibiotic Resistance
Some dentists frequently prescribe antibiotics to their patients, even for diseases that can’t be treated with antibiotics.
To stop the spread of drug-resistant bacterial strains, dentists should only prescribe antibiotics to control known local infections, and not just when some inflammation is visible. Additionally, prophylactic use should be limited and only in cases when there are infections.
Patients also have a role to play to stop antibiotic resistance. A couple of things patients should do include:
- Ask questions: Ask your dentist or doctor about the antibiotics they are giving you and why you need it for your treatment.
- Don’t demand antibiotics: Never demand antibiotics from your doctor if they say they aren’t necessary.
- Don’t use old antibiotics: Don’t share or use old or leftover antibiotics only take them when prescribed by your doctor.
In the video below, Dr. Tamisha Denis talks all about the dental antibiotics for tooth infection and in dentistry, including when they should be prescribed, and when they shouldn’t.
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Tooth Infection Symptoms And When To Seek Treatment
While not always the case, dental infections are generally caused by poor dental hygiene, an injury like a chipped or cracked tooth, or poor dental care.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the location and extent of the infection, but generally speaking, the longer a person waits for treatment, the worse it gets. A person with a tooth infection might experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Lump or bulge around the infected tooth
- Throbbing or persistent pain around the infected tooth
- Throbbing or constant pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, ear, or face
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Tenderness or sensitivity to touch around the infected tooth
- A discolored or loose tooth
- Bad breath or a foul taste
- Difficulty opening the mouth
If you feel any combination of these symptoms, see a doctor right away to catch the infection before it worsens.
If you find a bump on your gums that is tender to the touch or leaks liquid when you press on it, you may already have a tooth abscess that requires urgent medical attention.
In rare instances, this untreated abscess can develop into a serious skin infection called cellulitis, or a potentially fatal blood infection known as sepsis. Symptoms of a tooth infection that is spreading throughout your body and becoming very serious include:
- Red, warm, or swollen skin
- Confusion, dizziness, or lightheadedness
- Feeling generally ill or unwell
What Are The Antibiotics Used In Dentistry
There’s an assortment of antibiotics that dentists regularly prescribe to their patients for this treatment. The most common include:
- Amoxicillin
- Clindamycin
- Penicillin
The most popular is likely penicillin or amoxicillin. It’s not uncommon for some patients to need something stronger or may be allergic to those two. In that case, cephalexin or clindamycin could be prescribed. Azithromycin is helpful when a sinus infection is causing tooth pain. If there’s an infection that’s severe or in a unique location, a combination of antibiotics may be required.
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When Are Antibiotics Recommended For A Tooth Infection
by Altima Dental | Nov 13, 2018 | Dental Services, Patient Education
If you have a tooth infection, seeing a dentist as soon as possible is important to prevent any sort of infection from spreading. Your dentist will likely prescribe an antibiotic to help kill the bacteria causing your tooth infection. The good news is that if the infection is caught early enough it can be treated.
Read on to learn more about when you should use antibiotics to treat tooth infections.
Antibiotics For Tooth Abscess Complication
A deep neck infection is a dangerous complication of tooth infection when it spreads into the space between neck muscles. An abscess forms inside the neck. The abscess may swell and block breathing or swallowing.
Deep neck infections are treated in the hospital with an intravenous antibiotic along with opening the space in the neck to drain the abscess. For this type of infection, the best antibiotic may be amoxicillin with clavulanate through an IV.
The antibiotic for a deep neck infection may change if a lab culture shows that bacteria are more sensitive to another antibiotic .
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Who Gets Tooth Infections
Youre more likely to develop tooth infections if you:
- Smoke: Smokers are about twice as likely to get tooth infections as nonsmokers.
- Have dry mouth: Bacteria thrive in a mouth with a low amount of saliva.
- Have poor dental hygiene: Regularly brushing, flossing and getting dental cleanings reduces bacteria.
- Have a weakened immune system: Diseases or medications can lower your immune response, making it harder to fight off germs.
Natural Antibiotics For Tooth Infections
The pain that comes with an infected tooth is some of the worst pain that you can experience. Due to the fact that there are hundreds of nerve endings in your mouth and gums, an infected tooth can sometimes lead to excruciating amounts of pain.
The pain can sometimes magnify and creep up to the head causing full-on, throbbing headaches in addition to the tooth and jaw pain. Aside from the fact that any infection, no matter where it occurs, should be looked at and tended to immediately, tooth infections are especially important. But the good news is, you don’t have to shell out a bunch of money on antibiotics and a dentist visit just to heal it.
Here are some of the top natural antibiotics for tooth infections.
1. ClovesYou can use fresh leaves or you can use the oil form of cloves in order to treat a tooth infection. Cloves contain one of the most potent anti-inflammatory agents within it, which makes it great for the swelling and puffiness that comes with an infected tooth. It also is high in antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which means that it helps to clean the infected area upon contact.
Clove has naturally occurring eugenol, which is a phenylpropene that helps to increase the helpful elements of the herb. Try grinding the leaves into a paste, add some coconut oil and put it directly on the infected tooth. If you are using clove oil, add two drops into warm water and gargle it twice a day, concentrating specifically on the area of your mouth that’s infected.
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What To Expect During Your Tooth Extraction
Our dental office is experienced in performing tooth extractions, and we will make it as pain-free and comfortable as possible. Before pulling your tooth, we will inject the area with an anesthetic to completely numb the extraction site. If youre having more than one tooth removed or if your tooth is impacted, we might recommend a stronger anesthetic or sedation dentistry to improve your comfort.
In cases where the tooth is impacted, we will need to cut away the gum tissue covering the tooth, then remove the tooth from the jawbone. In situations where the tooth is stubborn, we might have to remove the tooth in smaller pieces. Once the tooth is pulled, a blood clot will form in the socket, and we will pack the site down with gauze pads to help with bleeding. In some cases, we might need to stitch the area with self-dissolving stitches to promote healing.
