Friday, March 29, 2024

Do I Need Antibiotics For Tooth Abscess

Recommended Antibiotics For Tooth Infection

Tooth Abscess : What Antibiotics Do I Take for an Abscessed Tooth?

Your dentist will prescribe antibiotics based on the type of infection-causing bacteria. Antibiotics are classified according to their mode of action. And the dentist will select one that can completely eradicate the infection.

The most widely used class is erythromycin. It includes all three serotypes: enteric-coated, Gram-positive, and Gram-negative. Additionally, gentamicin-CASD and tetracycline are also included. Thus, if youre experiencing a runny nose or a headache, your dentist may recommend this.

Erythromycin is a penicillin substitute. Your dentist can prescribe it instead of penicillin. The local pharmacist will provide you with all the detailed instructions on the drug. And make sure you dont stop it earlier.

What Is A Dental Abscess

An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms within body tissues. Abscesses are the result of an infection, generally bacterial, localized in the area where the abscess forms. They are almost always accompanied by swelling and inflammation. Dental abscesses are abscesses affecting the teeth and adjacent jaw tissue.

Each tooth is made up of several layers. The outermost layer is the enamel, which covers a softer layer, the dentin. The dentin and enamel are the toothâs protective layers. Underneath the dentin is the pulp, where the toothâs nerves and blood vessels are situated. The pulp runs down the center of the root of the tooth, which connects the tooth to the underlying bone of the upper or lower jaw. Infections in the pulp can therefore easily spread into the bone of the jaw. Likewise, if the gum around the tooth becomes infected, the tooth is at risk of damage as well. Some abscesses affect the pulp first and spread to the bone, while others affect the surrounding tissues of the gum and do not start in the pulp.

Treatment for dental abscesses involves draining the pus from the tooth and filling or removing the tooth to prevent re-infection.

There are two major subtypes of dental abscess: periapical and periodontal.

Who Needs Antibiotics Before Dental Work

Most patients don’t require antibiotics before dental work. Immune systems are more than capable of handling these bacteria, but there are some people who may need antibiotics after oral surgery. This may include those have had or have:

  • Heart conditions, including congenital heart defects and disease
  • An artificial heart valve
  • Knee or hip replacement surgery
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Infective endocarditis

Always make sure to share your full medical history with your doctor before surgery or dental work, even if you think it’s not relevant, so they know if they need to prescribe antibiotics before or after dental work.

You May Like: Antibiotics For H Pylori Eradication

Why Arent Antibiotics Working

Oral infections are also called abscesses. The small pocketshold pus and dead tissue, which can appear as a pimple-like bump on the gum,usually near the root of a tooth. Often, they are the result of an untreatedcavity, failing dental work, trauma, or a cracked tooth.

If the tooth isnt treated, it can cause the bacteria toenter the roots. The bacteria will then feed on your nerve tissues and bloodvessels. This allows them to spread and multiply, wreaking havoc in your mouth.

At this point, antibiotics arent enough to solve theproblem because they wont treat the underlying cause of the infection, like acavity. To prevent the issues from worsening, youll need a root canal.

Dangers Of An Unresolved Dental Abscesses

How to Cure a Tooth Infection

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

Also Check: Do Ear Infections Require Antibiotics

Do I Need Antibiotics For A Tooth Infection

If the dentist recommends antibiotics for your infection, its best to take them. They wouldnt prescribe them if it wasnt absolutely necessary.

However, before you take your medicine, you should get to know the different types of antibiotics dentists usually prescribe. This will help you learn what you can expect from them.

What Happens If You Dont Treat Your Tooth Infection

Dental infections were once a common cause of death. Modern advancements in dentistry, improvements in oral health , and antibiotics have considerably improved the outlook for tooth infection patients.

If you suspect that you or someone you know has a tooth infection, seek dental care immediately. Most tooth infections do not resolve on their own and require medical intervention to treat properly.

Even if your abscess ruptures on its own, it may not empty completely, leaving bacteria to potentially develop into serious, sometimes life-threatening infections in other parts of your body. If your infection does resolve on its own, it is likely to recur unless the underlying gum or tooth disease is treated by your dentist.

Also Check: Antibiotics For Uti For Toddler

Common Toothache Causes And Treatments

When bacteria break down a tooth’s surface, forming a cavity, the inner chamber of the tooth becomes vulnerable. This inner chamber contains the nerves that supply your tooth with sensation. When bacteria reach this chamber, it can be painful and lead to more severe dental problems that may require antibiotic treatment.

There are many causes for a toothache, including cavities, inflamed pulp tissue and dental abscesses, according to Merck Manuals. Having a cavity in a tooth does not necessarily mean that you will need antibiotics. As the Mayo Clinic explains, cavities are often treated with fillings, or possibly crowns, based on how much of the tooth is infected. When a tooth infection reaches the nerve of the tooth, it may require a root canal and a protective cover to seal bacteria out of the tooth. Additionally, if a tooth is so broken down by a cavity that it can’t be repaired, the dentist may need to extract the tooth.

What Is The Best Antibiotic For Tooth Infection Treatment

Antibiotics for a Tooth Infection, Dental Implant, Bone Grafts

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.

Recommended Reading: Whats The Strongest Antibiotic For Uti

Will A Gum Abscess Go Away On Its Own

A tooth abscess can burst on its own but this doesn’t mean the infection is gone. An abscess might originate at the root of your tooth or deep inside your gum pocket.

If your abscess has already burst, it may heal on its own. However, it’s still a good idea to visit a dentist to ensure the infection has cleared. At the very least, be on the lookout for signs that your mouth infection has returned so you can get it looked at straight away.

Treatments For A Dental Abscess

Dental abscesses are treated by removing the source of the infection and draining away the pus.

Depending on the location of the abscess and how severe the infection is, possible treatments include:

  • root canal treatment a procedure to remove the abscess from the root of an affected tooth before filling and sealing it
  • removing the affected tooth this may be necessary if root canal treatment is not possible
  • incision and drainage where a small cut is made in the gum to drain the abscess

Local anaesthetic will usually be used to numb your mouth for these procedures.

More extensive operations may be carried out under general anaesthetic, where you’re asleep.

Antibiotics are not routinely prescribed for dental abscesses, but may be used if the infection spreads or is particularly severe.

Read Also: Can I Buy Antibiotics At The Store

Will A Tooth Infection Go Away On Its Own

A tooth infection will not go away on its own. Your toothache may stop if an infection causes the pulp inside your tooth to die. The pain stops because the nerve isnt functioning anymore, so you may not be able to feel it. However, the bacteria will continue to spread and destroy surrounding tissue. If you have tooth infection symptoms, see your dentist even if you no longer have pain.

What Are The Most Common Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection

If I Have a Heart Condition, Do I Need to Take Antibiotics ...

If youve never had an infected tooth before, you might be wondering how youd know if your tooth was infected. Pain is often the most common sign of a tooth infection. Unfortunately, this pain isnt always confined to the tooth itself. Because our teeth are connected to so many nerves, pain from an infected tooth can extend into the jaw, face, and neck. Talk about discomfort!

Other signs to look for include:

  • Tooth sensitivity to heat, cold, and/or pressure

  • Tenderness around the tooth

  • Swelling of the mouth, jaw, or face

If you have a dental abscess that bursts open on its own, you might taste a strong, salty fluid that could also smell bad.

Also Check: Strep Throat Antibiotics How Long

Some Things To Take Into The Consideration Are:

*What are the signs and symptoms?

*Is it a diagnoses that a dentist sees regularly, as some conditions that he/she sees do not need antibiotics, and then some others do need to be treated under the antibiotic coverage.

The dentist might simply drain the infected area, remove the infected area of the tooth, or simply fix it by the root canal treatment. Dentists generally avoid recommending antibiotics, unless the spreading nature of the infection is severe, or if the person suffering has a weakened immune system.

Some examples explaining the need for antibiotics in tooth infections:

In case of spontaneous pain, the diagnosis is often related to the pulpal inflammation. This pulpal inflammation does not necessarily have bacteria. Hence, antibiotics are of no use in such cases.

In the other cases, where the pain is of a chronic type and the sensitivity test comes back negative, there is a possibility that the pulp is dead, and this area of necrosis has become home to some bacteria. Here, even though the bacteria is present causing the infection in the pulp area, the source of infection in most cases is the tooth itself. As the pulp is dead, there is no blood supply, hence the infection is not systemic. In such cases too, the antibiotics are of no use, as the drug cant reach systemically to the area of infection where there is no blood supply.

So then question arises: When should someone use an antibiotic?

Diagnosis And Treatment Of An Abscessed Tooth

Besides examining your tooth and the surrounding area, your dentist may perform the following actions:

Lightly pat your teeth. If an abscess is found at the tooth root, its typically sensitive to touch or pressure.

Recommend an X-ray. An X-ray of the painful tooth can help identify an abscess. Your dentist may also use X-rays to verify whether the infection has spread, causing abscesses in other areas.

Recommend a CT scan. If the infection has expanded to other areas within the neck, a CT scan may be performed to evaluate how extensive the infection is.

The objective of treatment is to get rid of the infection. Your dentist may perform the following:

Open up and drain the abscess. The dentist will make a small incision into the abscess, so the pus can drain out, and then clean the area with salt water . In some cases, a small rubber drain is placed to keep the area open for drainage while the swelling diminishes.

Do a root canal. A root canal can effectively eliminate the infection and preserve your tooth. First, your dentist drills down into your tooth, takes out the diseased pulp and drains the abscess. The next step is filling and sealing the tooths pulp chamber and root canals. For stability, the tooth may be capped with a crown. If you take good care of your restored tooth properly, it can last for many years, if not a lifetime.

If you think you have a dental abscess, contact us straightaway.

Recommended Reading: Antibiotic Ointment For Diaper Rash

How Will My Dog Be Able To Chew If You Remove His Or Her Tooth

This is a very common concern for many dog parents, but please dont fear. Your dog will be able to eat just fine once your vet removes his or her sore tooth. In fact, many dogs actually eat better once their mouth no longer hurts. Your vet will also use nerve blocks during the procedure and post-op pain medication to ensure your dog is comfortable.

Ive seen some dogs who have such severe dental disease that they require most or even all of their teeth removed. A switch to a soft food diet is necessary for these dogs. However, they usually eat with great vigor and joy once their mouth is pain and infection-free.

The Usual Occasions For Antibiotics

What Antibiotics Do I Take for an Abscessed Tooth?

Antibiotics may be used in cases of an abscess or periodontaldisease . Its usually a necessary part of such procedures astooth extraction, root canal therapy or deep cleaning of the gums.

In other cases, antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent aninfection. This type of application is referred to as premedication.

You May Like: Antibiotic Ear Drops For Dogs Pets At Home

What’s The Best Home Remedy For A Tooth Abscess

You can take painkillers or use topical oral pain relief to lessen tooth abscess pain. Natural home remedies like clove oil and a saltwater rinse can also help. But the only way to be sure the infection is gone is to visit a dentist, who can prescribe antibiotics and check what treatment the infected tooth needs.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Dental Infection

Depending on the location and extent of the infection, dental infection symptoms can range from mild to severe. If you have a tooth infection, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

  • A lump or bulge around the infected tooth
  • Throbbing or persistent pain around the infected tooth
  • Throbbing or constant pain that radiates to your jaw, neck, or ear
  • Pain in your face
  • Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
  • A swollen mouth or face
  • 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 in your mouth
  • Difficulty opening your mouth

If a tooth infection goes untreated, bacteria can spread and infect areas of your jaw, face, head, or neck. In rare instances, your infection can develop into a serious skin infection or blood infection . Symptoms of a tooth infection spreading to body parts outside the mouth include:

  • Feeling generally ill or unwell

If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention from a healthcare provider immediately.

Recommended Reading: How To Treat Sore Throat Without Antibiotics

Dental Trauma And Infection

If your older child’s teeth become dislodged due to trauma, the dentist may prescribe tetracycline.

However, tetracycline can cause permanent tooth discoloring when a child’s dentin is still being formed, also called tetracycline teeth, so children under 12 will be prescribed something else in most cases, like penicillin V or amoxicillin. Topical antibiotics may also be used to help with gum healing.

How Is An Abscessed Tooth Diagnosed

Do I Need Antibiotics for Oral Surgery?

In addition to examining the tooth and surrounding tissue for signs of infection, your dentist may:

  • Recommend an X-ray. This can help identify sources of dental disease that may have led to the infection. Your dentist can also use X-rays to determine if the infection has spread and may be affecting other areas.
  • Recommend a CT scan. If the infection has spread to other areas within the neck, this will help to identify the extent of the infection.
  • Tap and press on your teeth. A tooth with an abscess is often sensitive to touch or pressure.
  • Thermal tests. These tests will help your dentist determine the health of your pulpal tissues.

Recommended Reading: Antibiotics With Lowest Risk Of C Diff

Popular Articles
Related news