What Antibiotics Treat Tooth Infections

What Is A Dental Abscess And Which Antibiotics Treat Tooth Abscess

A tooth abscess is a term used to refer to the accumulation of pus in your mouth, generally caused by a bacterial infection.

This type of infection cannot go away on its own unless it is well treated using antibiotics recommended by a qualified dentist.

There are two types of tooth abscess, namely Periapical abscess and Periodontal abscess .

The first sign of a tooth abscess is a severe and sharp throbbing pain.

But which antibiotics for tooth abscess are effective?

Recommended antibiotics are generally used to treat tooth abscess. However, unlike other tooth infections, antibiotics on their own cannot treat an abscess.

Generally, an abscess must be opened and drained by a dentist for it to improve and heal. Antibiotics are only used to reduce the symptoms of tooth abscess.

Antibiotics For Tooth Infection: What You Should Know

Edmund Khoo, DDS, is board-certified in orthodontics. He teaches full-time as a clinical associate professor at his alma mater, New York University College of Dentistry, is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, and serves on advisory boards for the American Dental Education Association.

• Prevention

A tooth infection is a pocket of pus caused by the proliferation of bacteria. Usually, an abscess appears in the pulpthe soft, living tissue inside a tooth.

A periapical abscess develops from an infection in the pulp that forms an abscess at the root of a tooth, while a periodontal abscess develops between the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue.

Symptoms of a tooth infection may include a severe toothache, sensitivity to heat and cold, swollen glands, swelling in the gums, foul-smelling breath, and pain while chewing. If the infection spreads to the surrounding bones, it may become life-threatening.

Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to clear up your tooth infection. Learn more about antibiotics for tooth infections, including why they are used and how fast they work.

Do Antibiotics Have Side Effects

Just like every other medicine, theres a possibility of experiencing side effects when you take antibiotics for tooth infections. What these may be depend on the kind of drug it is.

Make sure you discuss the possible side effects with the dentist, and you read the medicines informational leaflet. This will help you stay prepared and avoid any surprises during your treatment.

For example, diarrhea can be a common side effect of antibiotics. And that tid-bit of knowledge can be very helpful if you want to avoid any potentially embarrassing situations.

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How Long Does It Take For Antibiotics To Reduce Swelling From Tooth Infection

You can start feeling the effects of antibiotics on a tooth infection in as little as a day. But just because your pain and swelling have gone away doesn’t mean your infection is entirely cured!

Your antibiotics won’t completely take care of the infection until you’ve taken them over a course of 7 to 10 days, and always for the complete amount of time your dentist has prescribed.

It’s extremely important that you take all of the antibiotics that your dentist has prescribed, exactly as prescribed. If not, you could just make bacteria resistant to the antibiotics and make your infection ultimately more difficult to treat.

How Long Does It Take For Antibiotics To Work For A Tooth Infection

You can start feeling the effects of antibiotics on a tooth infection in as little as a day. But just because your pain and swelling have gone away doesn’t mean your infection is entirely cured!

Your antibiotics won’t completely take care of the infection until you’ve taken them over a course of 7 to 10 days, and always for the complete amount of time your dentist has prescribed.

It’s extremely important that you take all of the antibiotics that your dentist has prescribed, exactly as prescribed. If not, you could just make bacteria resistant to the antibiotics and make your infection ultimately more difficult to treat.

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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.

Antibiotics For Tooth Infections

• Amoxicillin, a type of penicillin, may be given with clavulanic acid, 500 to 2,000 mg every 8 to 12 hours.
• Amoxicillin with clavulanate, another antibiotic, may be taken in a dosage of 875 mg/125 mg twice a day.
• Clindamycin, an antibiotic able to treat more types of bacteria, may be prescribed in a dose of 300 or 600 mg every 8 hours.
• Azithromycin is given to patients who are allergic to penicillin, in a dose of 500 mg every 24 hours for 3 days.
• Clindamycin in a dose of 150 mg may be taken 4 times a day.

It is a good idea to take probiotics while taking antibiotics for dental infections. Probiotics help avoid antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Did you know? QuickMD can help you diagnose the cause of your dental pain via telemedicine and prescribe you antibiotics onlineif needed.

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Dosage For Skin And Skin Structure Infection

Adult dosage

14 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours, or a dose of 500 mg every 12 hours may be given. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage

14 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours, or a dose of 500 mg every 12 hours may be given. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage

2550 mg/kg of body weight per day taken in divided doses. Your doctor may double your dose for severe infections.

Child dosage

This medication hasnt been studied in children younger than 1 year for this condition.

Senior dosage

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

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Important Information About All Medicines

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Using Antibiotics To Treat A Dental Abscess

When are Antibiotics Needed for a Dental Abscess?

Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat dental abscesses that are causing pain symptoms or swelling. The goal is to get rid of the infection.

If it is only affecting the immediate area of the tooth, you might not need antibiotics. However, antibiotics are necessary if there is any risk of it spreading beyond the affected tooth. Or if you have a weakened immune system for any reason.

Your dentist will also cut and drain the abscess. Then they’ll wash it with saline, an antibacterial agent. A root canal can remove the diseased pulp from within the tooth and save it. Sometimes, you need a tooth extraction if it is unsalvageable.

Summary

Antibiotics are only necessary if the abscess is causing pain/swelling or if there is a risk of it spreading.

Which Antibiotics Work Best For a Tooth Infection?

The most effective antibiotic for a tooth infection varies. People are different and react differently to medications.

However, Amoxicillin is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for tooth abscesses and infections. It also relieves pain.

Penicillin is an option, but many people are allergic to it. A doctor might prescribe clindamycin for someone allergic to penicillin. Other antibiotics prescribed to people with tooth abscesses include:

• Ampicillin and sulbactam
• Ticarcillin and clavulanate

How Long to Take Antibiotics for an Abscess

The course of treatment for most antibiotics is 10 to 14 days.

Summary

Cephalexin Vs Amoxicillin For Tooth Abscess

Dental abscess represent localized collection of pus at the tooth root apex. Dental abscesses are best managed by operative intervention such as incisional drainage, root canal, or extraction.

Antibiotics are used as supportive measure for controlling the spread of infection and preventing further complications.

Amoxicillin is considered a first-line choice for dental infections1. Amoxicillin is bactericidal, has a fairly narrow antimicrobial spectrum, but cover most bacteria responsible for dental infections.

The addition of clavulanic acid makes amoxicillin active against most beta-lactamase-producing bacteria. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid can be used to treat severe dental infection with spreading cellulitis or dental infection that has not responded to first-line treatment.

Cephalexin is useful in the treatment of dental infections 2. The efficacy rate is about 92%. Cephalexin perfectly penetrates alveolar bone3.

However, unlike amoxicillin it is NOT a first-line treatment for abscessed tooth. Cephalexin is most effective against streptococci and staphylococci, but this antibiotic does not cover aerobic gram-negative bacteria.

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When Are Antibiotics Used For A Tooth Infection

Tooth infections dont always require antibiotics. In many cases, they may clear up on their own. Rinsing with warm saltwater or taking over-the-counter medicines, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , may help to reduce tooth pain and swelling.

The American Dental Association recommends that dentists avoid prescribing antibiotics for most tooth infections due to potential side effects. Dental treatments, such as drainage, deep cleaning, or a root canal , may sometimes be necessary.

However, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics if you are immunocompromised or if your tooth infection is spreading. Some of the signs that your tooth infection is getting worse may include:

• Fever
• Malaise
• Swelling in the jaw or neck
• Intense pain or swelling that does not go away

If left untreated, a tooth infection may spread to the surrounding bones and tissues. This can lead to serious health complications, including:

• Brain infection
• Endocarditis

If you have a severe tooth infection, your dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics to prevent it from spreading. Antibiotics may prevent tooth loss and other serious health complications.

Can You Treat A Tooth Infection Without Antibiotics

There are ways to relieve the pain and swelling associated with your infected tooth. Saltwater rinses with or without baking soda, hydrogen peroxide rinses, and cold compresses can all help with these symptoms. See a dentist right away if you have any symptoms, because an infection is unlikely to go away without treatment.

A cavity can be filled, and pulpitis can also be treated with a dental procedure. You may not need antibiotics. But depending on how bad the infection is, you might need a root canal or removal of the tooth.

If you have an abscess, it needs to be drained. Your dentist will probably also prescribe antibiotics to get rid of any bacteria that are still in the area.

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What Is A Tooth Abscess

Dental infections are caused by bacteria getting into the tooth and gum. A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that develops on or around a tooth. It is formed as the result of a bacterial infection.

There are three main types of dental abscess:

• Periapical abscess: This type of infection is when bacteria get inside the tooth through small holes. The bacteria cause the pulp in the centre of the tooth to die and the cavity left gets infected. The infection will eventually make its way to the bone that supports the tooth and an abscess filled with pus will form around that bone.
• Periodontal abscess: This type of infection is much rarer than the periapical abscess. These types of abscesses form when the gums get infected by the bacteria in plaque. The gums will become inflamed and a void can appear between the tooth and the gum that is very difficult to clean. An abscess will then form. The inflamed gums are known as periodontitis.

Overview Of Cephalexin For Canines And Felines

• Cephalexin, also known by the brand names Keflex® and Rilexine®, is an antibiotic used for dogs and cats. Cephalexin belongs to the cephalosporin class of drugs and is related to the penicillin drugs in how it kills bacteria. Cephalosporins have a much broader range of activity against bacteria than penicillins. Cephalexin is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics to dogs and cats.
• Cephalexin will prevent the bacteria from forming an adequate and protective cell wall. This results in instability and subsequent death of the bacteria.
• Cephalexin is a prescription drug and can only be obtained from a veterinarian or by prescription from a veterinarian.
• This drug is not approved for use in animals by the Food and Drug Administration but it is prescribed legally by veterinarians as an extra-label drug.

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Signs And Symptoms Of A Dental Abscess

Dental abscesses are usually painful. The pain may be situated in the tooth itself, the surrounding gum or be more generalized, including the jaw, cheeks, or even neck or face, depending on the location of the abscess. The affected tooth may:

• Feel tender
• Feel loose in the jaw
• Be sensitive to heat and/or cold in the mouth
• Be sensitive to pressure on the tooth, or to being tapped
• Be slightly raised

People with a dental abscess may experience pain in the affected area. If you are concerned that you may have a dental abscess, you can do a free symptom check with the Ada app or find out more about how it works.

Other symptoms of dental abscesses include:

• Swelling in the gums or face
• Redness of the skin over the affected part of the gum
• Bleeding in the gums
• Loss of appetite or inability to eat
• Fever

Dental examination may also reveal swelling and redness around the tooth in the mouth and a fluctuant mass in the area.Periodontal abscesses may also present with a gum boil. A gum boil, also known as a parulis, is a soft red papule that appears where a sinus or channel from an abscess reaches the outside of the gum, between the gum and the inside of the cheek. It is the result of an abscess, so it is a definite sign that an abscess is present, but it is not itself an abscess.

Rarely, in severe cases of dental abscess, the affected person may also experience:

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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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.