Why Antibiotics Dont Cure Tooth Infections
Oral health is vitally important to your overall health. When you are suffering from a tooth infection, you may want an easy solution, such as a course of antibiotics. However, antibiotics wont cure your tooth infection.
Oral bacterial infections cause abscesses, which are small pockets of pus and dead tissue in the mouth. Often times they look like swollen tissue or a pimple on your gums. This usually occurs near the base of the tooth where the roots are. Tooth decay due to poor oral hygiene, failing dental work, trauma or a cracked tooth are ways bacteria can infect your tooth. When bacteria enter the roots, they use your nerve tissue and blood vessels as a food source. They begin to multiply and spread, and the result is a dental infection.
At this point, most patients believe antibiotics are necessary, however, your endodontist knows differently. Due to the anatomy of the tooth, bacteria become trapped in the roots. Without proper cleaning, such as through root canal therapy, the infection will remain and potentially spread to the jaw or even the brain. A draining, cleaning, or possibly even tooth extraction is needed to fully remove a bacterial tooth infection.
Why not antibiotics? There are several reasons antibiotics alone will not cure the infection. The blood vessels that once supplied the inside of the tooth with your bodys antibacterial defenses have been destroyed. Therefore, the antibiotics cannot reach the inside of the tooth to cure your infection.
Rinse Your Mouth With Saltwater
Rinse your mouth with salt water to find temporary relief from the discomfort. It is an affordable and easy home solution. A saltwater rinse also works effectively to heal wounds and promotes healthy gums.
Take ½ teaspoon of salt and pour it into a cup of warm water. Rinse your mouth with this salty remedy and swish the solution for 2 minutes at least. Do this thrice a day.
Important Care Tips For A Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is the result of an infection and can form inside the gums, teeth and even in the bone that holds the teeth in place. A dental abscess is the accumulation of infection and bacteria in a pocket of space and can cause you a lot of pain and discomfort. An abscess is the result of an infection that has either spread to the root tip or around the root of a tooth. When an abscess forms, it means that you have an active infection and need to treat it right away. It is very important that you seek treatment fast, as infections can be unpredictable and rapidly spread.
An abscess can either be a tooth abscess or an abscess located in the gum . This is determined by where the infection originated. A gum abscess differs in source and location since it starts in a pocket in the gum that is next to the root but outside of the tooth.
Anyone who currently has a dental abscess or has experienced one in the past knows that it is in a category of its own.
Also Check: What Antibiotics Do You Get For Strep Throat
Can You Get Rid Of A Tooth Abscess Without Going To The Dentist
It is not possible to get rid of a tooth abscess without going to the dentist because home remedies are unable to eliminate the source of the tooth infection. The source of the mouth infections usually come from the nerve of the tooth or tooth decay, which only a dentist can get rid of.
If you’re able to get rid of the source of the infection you may not even need antibiotics.
Can An Abscessed Tooth Be Prevented
You can reduce the risk of developing a tooth abscess by seeing your dentist routinely and getting regular dental exams and cleanings. Its also important to see your dentist if a tooth becomes loose or chipped. Oral hygiene is very important for dental health. At home, brush teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
Don’t Miss: Fighting A Uti Without Antibiotics
When To See A Doctor
If you delay the treatment for an abscessed tooth, it can affect your eyes and face. Schedule an appointment with your doctor or dentist right away. Its not possible to completely treat a tooth abscess without going to the dentist.
Schedule an appointment with the experts at Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics by calling one of our locations.
Recent Posts
Some Natural Remedies Can Help You Control Tooth Pain And Help Stop Tooth Infections From Getting Worse
The only way to truly get rid of an infection is with antibiotics. However, home remedies for tooth infection can help manage the symptoms and alleviate some of the pain. If you have a tooth infection you need to see a dentist to assess whether or not you need a root canal and to get prescription antibiotics to make sure that the infection goes away and doesnt cause any more pain or damage to your teeth.
There are some natural remedies that you can use to both help control the pain and help stop the infection from getting worse or spreading while you wait for the infection to die off. Not all of these remedies will work for every person but if youre in pain from an infected tooth they can bring you some relief.
Don’t Miss: Can You Get A Uti From An Antibiotic
How Is An Abscessed Tooth Treated
Goals of treatment are to eliminate the infection and prevent complications. Treatment options include:
- Incision and drainage: Your dentist makes a small incision in the abscess to drain the pus. Sometimes a small rubber drain is placed to keep the area open for drainage.
- Root canal: This option helps to eliminate the infection and save your tooth. This common procedure removes the tooths infected inner pulp, and fills the space with material to prevent another infection. The inner pulp is important when the tooth is growing but once its mature, the tooth can survive without the pulp. After the procedure, your tooth should be back to normal, though you may need a crown to protect the root canal. If you care for the restored tooth properly, it can last a lifetime.
- Tooth extraction: Sometimes the tooth cannot be saved, and your dentist may need to pull or extract the tooth allowing pus to drain from the socket.
- Antibiotics: If the infection is limited to the abscessed area, you many not require antibiotics, but sometimes your dentist may recommend them to assist with your dental treatment. It is important to know, that while this medication may help fight off remaining bacteria, it will not get rid of the cause of the infection, which is the affected tooth.
How Do You Treat A Tooth Abscess
A tooth abscess can arise from infections that develop inside the tooth. Bacteria can enter the tooth when its chipped, broken, or decaying.
Once the bacteria reach the center of the tooth and the tooth becomes infected, pus accumulates in the tooth. The pus in the tooth swells and results in a toothache.
If not treated, the infection could spread to the gums and bone of the mouth.
A tooth abscess should be treated by a dentist, but some home remedies can relieve the discomfort caused by the infection.
The following home remedies can be applied along with prescribed treatments.
Rinsing your mouth with salt water is an easy and affordable option for temporary relief of your abscessed tooth. It can also promote wound healing and healthy gums.
To use this remedy:
Baking soda is another affordable option for treating an abscessed tooth. You may even already have some in your kitchen cabinet.
Baking soda is excellent for removing plaque in the mouth. It also has antibacterial properties.
To use this remedy:
You can repeat this up to two times per day.
Read Also: Do Antibiotics Make You Hungry
Home Remedies To Treat Gum Infection
Any pain can be annoying and irritating. The workload of your teeth and gums are more than most of the other organs. With regular usage, aging, and dental trauma, the teeth and gums might start to lose its vitality. Although the dentist can guide you in treating gum diseases, you can try some home remedies too.
The Structure of Your Teeth
A tooth is made up of enamel, dentine, pulp, and cementum. The exposed portion of the tooth is what you see and is known as the dental crown. The tooth has a substantial part concealed by the jaws. The part below the dental crown is called the root.
The center of the tooth houses the pulp cavity and consists of delicate blood vessels and nerves. To counter the continuous impact of grinding and to alleviate the force on the jaws, the tooths cementum or surface area is connected by fibrous tissues called the periodontal ligament.
Enamel covers the outer surface or crown and is white. The soft tissues covering the alveolar bone houses the tooths root and is commonly known as gum.
What Causes Gum Infection?
Periodontal infection is an infection of the gums and can be attributed to several factors. Poor oral health is one of the major reasons. Poor brushing allows the deposition of tartar on the teeth, which serves as a thriving ground of bacteria.
Smoking can increase the chances of gum infection. Hormonal imbalance, diabetes, dry mouth, and certain genetic susceptibility can also increase gum infection chances.
#1: Saltwater Rinse
Gum Abscess Vs Dental Abscess
Strictly speaking, a gum abscess occurs in the gums, while a tooth abscess occurs in the tooth itself. However, there is some overlap. For instance, a periodontal abscess often affects both the tooth and the gum.
Also, sometimes, an infection in the tooth and pulp may lead to an infection in the gums. This may be a tooth that has a large cavity or decay in the root, which creates space within the tooth and surrounding tissue for bacteria to multiply.
At other times, a deep gum abscess may get worse and begin to affect the tooth and pulp.
Severe infections, such as those that involve both the tooth and the gum, often require extensive treatment.
A dentist may refer to several abscesses in the mouth as oral abscesses. They will identify and treat each type.
Recommended Reading: What Antibiotic Is Used To Treat Uti In Dogs
Antibiotics Will Not Solve A Tooth Infection
Posted on June 12, 2020 by writeradmin.
I have what I suspect is a tooth infection. Im not a big fan of dentists. I do have some antibiotics at my house that my doctor had prescribed for me in case I got sick during the quarantine. I tend to get a sinus infection about once a quarter. Can I just fill that antibiotic and deal with it that way? Its a Z-pack.
Fannie
Dear Fannie,
Im glad you wrote. Using antibiotics to treat a tooth infection is a common misconception. Dental infections work differently. Theyre considered a dental emergency. Heres why. When a tooth is infected, it doesnt take long for the pulp of the tooth to die. When that happens, there is no blood flow in the tooth. When this happens, there is no way for the antibiotic to get to the infection. The only way to solve it at that point is for a dentist to get in there and physically remove the infected tissue.
There are two ways to do this. The first is to get a root canal treatment and dental crown. This is ideal because it saves your tooth. Natural tooth structure is always best. However, if you dont get to the dentist in time, it is very likely your tooth wont be able to be saved. Instead, the tooth will have to be extracted. If this happens, youre then looking at the necessity to replace a tooth.
How To Get Rid Of A Tooth Abscess Without Going To The Dentist
by Pearl Modern Dentistry | Feb 28, 2021
If you have a broken, chipped, or decayed tooth, bacteria can penetrate the cracks. This leads to the growth of infections that can cause tooth abscess. If the bacteria manage to reach the tooths center, they can infect the tooth. As a result, pus can begin to accumulate in the tooth and give you a severe toothache. Early treatment for tooth infection is necessary otherwise, it can impact your gums and cause other severe oral issues.
The best treatment for a tooth abscess is going to the dentist, but many people dont like the idea of sitting in the dental chair. If youre one of those thinking about how to get rid of a tooth abscess without going to the dentist, we can help you find relief. Keep reading to explore some home remedies that can help you find relief from the pain and discomfort caused by a tooth abscess.
Recommended Reading: What Kind Of Antibiotics Are Used For Strep Throat
Signs And Symptoms Of An Infected Tooth
You may have an infected or abscessed tooth if youre experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Painful throbbing in your tooth, jawbone or near your neck
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Sensitivity to the pressure
- Swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or neck
- A salty fluid taste in your mouth
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Contact your dentist if you think you may have an infection, and consider the below home remedies to soothe your symptoms until then.
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.
Recommended Reading: Antibiotics To Treat An Ear Infection
Natural Antibiotics To Ward Off Any Dental Infection
Dental infections are characterized by intense pain, persistent and sharp, manifests abscesses in the area where the tooth, therefore, can be presented to dental or gingival level. Infections are usually due to a bacterial problem, and some of the causes can be :
Some symptoms that could be suspected are pain when chewing, sensitivity when chewing and with a temperature change, bleeding from the gums, earache or toothache, halitosis, bad taste, fever, sore throat, swollen glands, swollen jaw or cheek, among other much more serious complications. Faced with any of the possible causes associated with the symptoms, it is recommended that you contact your dentist.
Facial Swelling From A Tooth Infection
Swelling of the face may occur a few days after an untreated gum boil appears or it may take longer. It all depends on how well your body can naturally fight the infection and if you are using any home remedies to slow down the infection.
Treatment of facial swelling will require a visit to the dentist, which includes draining the abscess under local anesthesia and also taking prescribed antibiotics. There is no way to avoid antibiotics when your face swells up because home remedies are not potent enough to clear a tooth infection of that size.
Draining a tooth abscess of this size is usually a very painful procedure even with local anesthesia so our dentists in long island city do not recommend letting it get to this stage. Please see a dentist as soon as the gum boil stage of the abscess is reached!
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Yeast Infection After Antibiotics
