What You Need To Know About Cephalexin For Tooth Infection
by Adam Smith | Jul 7, 2021 | Dental Care
Medicines are one of the most important things for healing and being well. There are many medicines on the market to cure different diseases. Similarly, when we are facing tooth infection doctors recommend cephalexin for tooth infection. Toothache is highly common and anyone can face it easily. The problems like cavities and gum infections are spreading due to our food choices. So, this medicine is a great prescription around the world.
It was the most commonly prescribed by the doctor for infection in the USA. In CANADA it was ranked 5th most usable antibiotic in 2013. Its trade names are Keflex and ceporex. Before using cephalexin we should have knowledge of why we are using cephalexin for toothache or gum infection.
There are some side effects of this medicine as well. Just like penicillin that can come with skin rashes, infection, and even pain. This medicine is available in tablets, liquids, and capsules. You can check out the dosage information before you take it to ensure you are safe. A lot of people take medicine in pain without a prescription. It is also highly important that you take it at the same time as prescribed.
If you have missed a medicine, do not take 2 at a time. It can cause reactions that are not good for your health. If you feel any pain or irritation after that, go to a doctor immediately.
Common Antibiotics Used For A Tooth Infection
Penicillin-type drugs, such as amoxicillin and penicillin V potassium, are typically the first-line antibiotics that dentists prescribe to treat a tooth infection.
However, allergic reactions to penicillins are common. If you have a history of allergy symptoms after taking penicillin-type drugs, let your dentist know. They may prescribe a macrolide antibiotic, such as clindamycin, to clear up your infection.
In some cases, your dentist may prescribe another type of antibiotic, such as:
These drugs are typically prescribed if other antibiotics dont work to treat your symptoms or if your tooth infection begins to spread.
What Is A Tooth Infection
A tooth infection or dental abscess occurs when a bacterial infection enters a damaged tooth or gum tissue and begins to multiply.
As the immune system responds to fight the bacteria, white blood cells cause swelling and a natural byproduct called pus builds up at the infection site. If the pus is unable to drain naturally, a pocket of pus develops at the area.
Dental infections are polymicrobial, meaning theyre caused by multiple types of bacteria rather than by a single bacterium. You can develop three major types of dental infections:
- Periodontal abscess: When an injury or gum disease allows bacteria to enter and infect the bone and tissue structures that support a tooth.
- Periapical abscess: When an injury, previous dental work, or untreated tooth decay allows bacteria to enter and infect the soft pulp inside of a tooth.
- Gingival abscess: When an injury or sharp piece of food pierces the gum tissue and allows bacteria to enter and infect the gums.
Its essential to seek medical advice if you have a painful toothache or believe you have an abscess. If left untreated, your tooth infection can spread to other parts of the body, leading to life-threatening complications.
The best way to prevent dental infections is to maintain good oral hygiene, schedule regular checkups with a dentist, avoid high-sugar foods, and abstain from smoking.
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You Cant Buy Antibiotics Over The Counter Can You
In yesterdays post analyzing the Food and Drug Administrations report on sales of antibiotics for use on farms in 2014, I noted that almost 99 percent of the antibiotics sold for agricultural use are sold over the counter, that is, without a prescription.
The FDA is attempting to change this, via an updated rule called the Veterinary Feed Directive once that rule is finalized, livestock producers should only be able to obtain antibiotics once they have an order from a veterinarian. The goal here is to build more accountability into antibiotics purchase and use, because any misuse creates the possibility of resistance and there is more use of antibiotics in agriculture, by sheer volume, than in human medicine.
As often happens when I talk about this, I ran into some disbelief: people protesting that, come on, surely you cant just walk into a store and buy antibiotics, can you?
In response, I posted a picture of two pounds of aureomycin that I bought online without anyone asking me anything except my credit card number.
Up top, Ive put together a quick slideshow. The answer to the question, Is it really as easy as it seems to buy antibiotics over the counter, and to use them without anyone looking over your shoulder to make sure you use them correctly?, is: Yes, actually, it is. Click through to see what we found.
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The Best Options Of Antibiotics For Toothache Here Is Our Recommendation
Are you looking for the best options of antibiotics for a toothache? Here is our prescription of antibiotics for toothache as recommended by our dentists and experts
Toothache is always painful and it may disturb your day to day activities or ruin your sleep. The major problem is that there is no instant cure for a toothache. Over the counter, painkillers might relieve your pain temporary but it will re-occur again. Your best option is to use antibiotics to treat the pain for a few days if you want an instant cure for toothache.
Although, it is recommended to visit your dentist if your pain persists or ask your dentist before using any antibiotics listed in this article.
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Are There Effective Home Remedies That Treat Tooth Infections
While there are no home remedies for a tooth infection, your dentist or healthcare provider may suggest that you use home remedies such as the below in addition to their recommended treatment plan to ease your symptoms:
- Rinsing your mouth with saltwater, swishing with a baking soda solution, or using hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash may help kill bacteria and promote healthy gums.
- Applying a cold compress to the infected part of your face may reduce pain and swelling.
- Over-the-counter tooth pain gels, clove oil, and pain medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen may help relieve pain.
Tooth Infection Treatment: Whatre Your Options
To treat a tooth abscess, your dentist will perform an exam and often take an x-ray to locate your infection and determine its severity and whether it has spread. Based on these findings, treatment options may include:
- Draining the abscess:Your dentist or healthcare provider will administer a local anesthetic and then create an incision in the abscess to drain the pus.
- Performing a root canal treatment:Your dentist will administer an anesthetic and then drill into your infected tooth to remove the pus collected in its interior. After they clean the area, they will fill, seal, and cap the tooth to complete the root canal procedure and ensure that no more bacteria can enter.
- Extracting the tooth:Your dentist may recommend extracting a tooth if it is too damaged to save. Once they pull your tooth, they will drain the area of any remaining pus to treat the abscess and relieve your pain.
In most cases, the American Dental Association recommends that dentists treat abscesses and other causes of dental pain with appropriate dental procedures and pain relievers, not antibiotics.
To manage your pain, your dentist may suggest taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen , acetaminophen , or naproxen before or after your dental procedure.
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Which Tooth Infection Needs Antibiotics
A painful tooth infection is one of many other infections of the human body which require some kind of antibiotics for infection management. Without the use of antibiotics, it might be difficult to control the bacterial growth and a dental treatment may not yield the desired results, ultimately compromising the prognosis.
Before an infected tooth is treated with a dental procedure, it is necessary to have antibiotic coverage so as to keep the growth of bacteria in check and subsequently to stop the flaring up of infection.
A tooth which is painful, especially the one which has pus underneath, also known as periapical abscess, needs antibiotics. Also, a tooth which has suffered trauma, like fracture or avulsion also needs antibiotics as prophylaxis. A tooth with periapical abscess requires antibiotic coverage to reduce the quantity of pus underneath and to stop the infection from spreading.
With the use of antibiotics the inflammation and infection in the area will come down and the pain associated with it will also get better. This way the dental treatment will be more comfortable and the results will be better too.
Without antibiotics, performing a dental procedure increases the risk of spread of infection and also, local anesthesia to numb the infected tooth does not work. Therefore, it is necessary for an infected tooth to be treated with antibiotics and painkillers as an adjunct to the dental procedure.
Can A Tooth Abscess Go Away On Its Own
A tooth abscess is a specific type of dental abscess called a periapical abscess. It starts as an infection inside the tooth and moves into the area below the tooth. It will not go away on its own. If the abscess ruptures, youll feel immediate pain relief, but you should still seek dental treatment for the underlying infection.
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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 Causes A Tooth Infection
Tooth infections are caused by bacteria that makes its way inside the sensitive area under your tooth, called the pulp. This can happen because of tooth decay , gum disease or a cracked tooth. The pulp has soft tissue, nerves and blood vessels. Bacterial infection may cause pus to build in this sensitive area. Symptoms can include:
- Pain
- Fever
- Bad tastes in the mouth
A tooth infection should always be treated. A tooth abscess can spread into the soft tissues of your mouth or throat. This can cause a more serious infection and can even interfere with breathing or swallowing.
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Antibiotics For Tooth Infections
Antibiotics are used sparingly for dental abscesses because of the risk of generating drug-resistant bacteria. They will usually be used for abscesses with complications or if the patient has a fever or trouble breathing. Mostly, however, it will depend on the dentist or endodontist. The antibiotic prescribed will depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection. Amoxicillin is the most popular antibiotic for tooth infections. It’s often used with clavulanic acid to increase its effectiveness against bacteria. However, patients are just as likely to be prescribed penicillin, clindamycin, or azithromycin. Relief from pain and swelling will be noticeable in a day or two, but it takes three to seven days to treat the infection completely.
Four Of The Best Kinds Of Antibiotic For Tooth Infection
Antibiotics just kill bacteria, right? Well, its not as simple as that. In fact, each kind of antibiotic targets a different strain of bacteria. And because there are over 150 strains of bacteria in our mouths, thats a pretty wide variety of medicine.
Its important to use the right antibiotic that targets the cause of your infection. Learn about the four most common kinds of antibiotics that can help you if you have a tooth infection below.
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Related Resources For Dental Abscess And Tooth Infections
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This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.
What Is The Best Antibiotic For Tooth Infection
American Dental Association
- Penicillin
- Cephalexin
As mentioned earlier, the dose recommendations of each antibiotic is different and it is important to take the medication according to the dosage to have the best benefits out of it. The recommended dosage for Amoxicillin, if a person is not allergic to penicillin is 500mg thrice a day for 3 to 7 days. The recommended dosage for penicillin is 500 mg, four times a day for 3 to 7 days.
If a person has a history of allergic reactions to amoxicillin or penicillin like rashes and hives, azithromycin can be taken, with a dose of 500mg as the loading dose on day one and 250mg for the next 4 days. Similarly, clindamycin is to be taken in a dose of 300mg four times a day for 3 to 7 days.
In case these first line drugs fail to have an effect on the tooth infection, other antibiotics and their combinations can be taken in such a situation. Amoxicillin with a combination of clavulanate acid or metronidazole is one such extremely potent and popular combination. This combination is of the best broad spectrum antibiotics in the market as it is effective against both gram negative and gram positive bacteria. Augmentin is a popular combination of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid.
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Self Care Advice For A Dental Abscess
Food and Drink
You can reduce the pressure and pain of a dental abscess by avoiding food and drink that is too hot or too cold. We also recommend that you consume soft foods.
You should try eating on the side of your mouth not affected by the abscess.
Use of Analgesia
We would encourage the use of over the counter pain management medications but these should not be used to delay getting treatment. It is essential that you see a dentist as soon as possible. If you are having problems finding an emergency dentist then you can try the NHS 111 service.
When using any form of painkiller it is important not to exceed the recommended dosage. Please also bear in mind that many over the counter preparations contain the same active ingredients so it is better not to use combinations of painkillers without first checking with a healthcare professional.
Brushing
You should use a soft toothbrush and avoid flossing the affected tooth.
How Do I Get An Antibiotic For A Tooth Infection
You can request antibiotics for tooth infection by making a doctorâs appointment.
Here is how you can request tooth infection antibiotics online at PlushCare:
- First, book an appointment with a PlushCare doctor through your phone or computer.
- During your virtual appointment, discuss your tooth infection symptoms and medical history with your physician.
- If the doctor decides that antibiotics would be an appropriate treatment for your tooth infection, then a prescription will be sent to a pharmacy for pickup, where you can get the antibiotics needed for your tooth infection treatment.
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Precaution: Probiotics And Lactic Acid Bacteria
Antibiotics are serious drugs so when the dentist or the doctor prescribe them, it is not recommended to stop the round even if symptoms disappear. In addition, these type of medication are well known for causing changes within the intestinal flora. Clinicians often suggest to add probiotics while the antibiotic therapy and lactic acid bacteria after it. The scope is to restore the correct intestinal ecosystem.
How Long Can A Tooth Infection Go Untreated
Since you can’t get rid of a tooth infection without going to the dentist and home remedies can only help alleviate the pain, exactly how much time do you have before the tooth infection gets very bad? At most, a tooth infection can only go untreated for maybe 1-3 days.
The reason is because abscesses will cause facial swelling with each day that it goes untreated. After two to three days, the facial swelling will be incredibly painful and may need to be drained. So, at most you only have about 1-3 days for a tooth infection to be untreated. Our dentists do not recommend to leave a tooth infection untreated for an extended period of time because the tooth abscess can cause severe facial swelling that may be life threatening. There is also the fact that it is extremely painful so why would you leave it swollen?
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