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.
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.
How Long Does It Take To Work
You have tooth infections. Youre in pain and you have swelling. You were responsible and went to your dentist and they recommended antibiotics. Now youre asking yourself: How long does it take for antibiotics to reduce swelling from a tooth infection? How long does it take for antibiotics to work?
That depends on a few factors, like the severity of the infection and how effective they are against that type of bacteria. It is important to take your medication according to your dentist recommendations. Do not take more in order to speed up the process. That will not help and might even make things worse. It might take a few days for you to start feeling better, so be patient. It is also important to take the whole round of antibiotics your dentist recommended. Dont stop before consulting with your dental professional just because you feel better or your infection might come back with a vengeance.
Warnings For Certain Groups
For people with kidney problems: If you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease, you may not be able to clear this drug from your body. This may increase the levels of this drug in your body and cause more side effects. Your doctor may adjust your dose if you have kidney disease. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.
For pregnant women: Cephalexin is a pregnancy category B drug. That means two things:
Tell your doctor if youre pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Cephalexin should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
For women who are breastfeeding: Cephalexin passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk with your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.
For seniors: 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 the drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.
For children: This drug hasnt been studied in children younger than 1 year of age with respiratory tract, middle ear, skin and skin structure, bone, and urinary tract infections.
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Antibiotic Therapy During Pregnancy
The physiological changes of pregnancy can affect the condition of the oral cavity such as increasing the risk of gingivitis and pyogenic granuloma . Preventive or therapeutic interventions during this period should be carried out to preserve the health of both mother and her neonate, enhance maternal oral health, and reduce children’s future oral problems . In this regard, it has been mentioned that the mothers with poor oral hygiene who have a higher number of microorganisms in their saliva, especially Streptococcus mutans, can easily transmit the infection to the infant causing several serious problems for them . It should be also noted that most of the dental procedures are not emergencies and can be postponed after delivery however, acute dental infections should be managed during pregnancy .
The drug prescription during the pregnancy should be done more cautiously, as the inappropriate prescription could irrecoverably harm the fetus. In dental practice, the main agents that are commonly used during pregnancy and are considered to be safe during this period are analgesics, anesthetic agents, and antibiotics . Food and Drug Administration has classified drugs into 5 groups based on their risk factors during pregnancy , and most of the antibiotics are classified to be in class B of FDA arrangement . Furthermore, the pregnant patients should receive a complete adult dose with the usual length of treatment .
Interactions That Increase Your Risk Of Side Effects
Side effects from cephalexin: Taking cephalexin with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from cephalexin. This is because the amount of cephalexin in your body is increased. An example of these drugs is probenecid.
Side effects from other drugs: Taking cephalexin with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from these drugs. An example of these drugs is metformin. Taking metformin and cephalexin together may cause kidney problems. Your doctor may adjust your dose of metformin to reduce this risk.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare professional about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.
This drug comes with several warnings.
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What Are Some Recommended Antibiotics For A Tooth Infection
The type of antibiotic youll need depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection. Different classes of antibiotics have different ways of attacking bacteria. Your dentist will want to choose an antibiotic that can effectively eliminate your infection. Antibiotics such as penicillin and amoxicillin are most commonly used to help treat tooth infections. If youre allergic to penicillin be sure to tell your dentist. Erythromycin is an alternative to penicillin and can be prescribed in its place. Information about dosage and how to take the medication will be given to you by your local pharmacist however youll typically need to take antibiotics for about a week.
Other Uses For This Medicine
Cephalexin is also sometimes used for certain penicillin allergic patients who have a heart condition and are having a dental or upper respiratory tract procedure, in order to prevent them from developing a heart valve infection.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
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Both cephalexin and amoxicillin have commonly been used off-label for endocarditis prophylaxis. Patients with congenital heart defects or prosthetic heart valves are at an increased risk of developing an infection in the lining of their heart after dental procedures. Prophylactic doses of antibiotics such as amoxicillin and cephalexin given prior to these procedures have been shown to of such infections.
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How To Prevent Antibiotic Resistance
Some dentists frequently prescribe antibiotics to their patients, even for diseases that cant 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.
- Dont demand antibiotics: Never demand antibiotics from your doctor if they say they arent necessary.
- Dont use old antibiotics: Dont 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 shouldnt.
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Tooth Abscess: Common Questions And Answers
Is a tooth abscess an emergency?
It is difficult to predict how a dental infection will spread, so it is best to assume that a tooth abscess is an emergency. Any visible swelling in the gums, whether it causes pain or not, could be dangerous, and you should seek urgent dental care.
Can a tooth abscess go away on its own?
A tooth abscess will not go away on its own. If the abscess is not drained by a dentist, it can spread to other areas of your body, including the jaw, head, or neck.
How do I know if my tooth abscess is spreading?
Symptoms that a tooth abscess has spread to other parts of your body include fever, swelling, dehydration, increased heart rate, increased breathing rate, and stomach pain.
Is a tooth abscess hard or soft?
Most abscesses are soft and warm to the touch. However, they can be firm in some cases.
Dosage For Bone Infections
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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How To Get Antibiotics For A Tooth Infection
You can get antibiotics for a tooth infection from your dentist or doctor, although dentists are preferable due to their experience with tooth infections. Antibiotics are not available over the counter you must have a doctors prescription.
Depending on your condition, you may be able to get prescriptions through an online dental consultation.
If you have antibiotics leftover in your medicine cabinet from an old infection, you should not use them. To properly dispose of your antibiotics, take them to your nearest pharmacy.
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Treatment Options For Urinary Tract Infections
Ladies, if you think you have a urinary tract infection, you are probably right. One study found that women who self-diagnose a UTI are right 84% of the time.
You can apply this know-how to partner with your health care provider to pick the right treatment The go-to treatment of a UTI, which is caused by a bacteria, is antibiotics. Your questions about treatment decisions can make a difference, especially since antibiotic recommendations have shifted and not all doctors have changed their practices.
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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.
What To Do If Antibiotics Don’t Fix Your Dental Abscess
If oral antibiotics do not fix your abscess, . In some cases, you’ll make an appointment to visit your dentist in the coming days.
For others, youll need to visit an emergency dentist for treatment of the infected tooth. This is when IV antibiotics or extraction are needed.
This is also the case when you first notice the abscess. An abscess might not seem severe, but it is a serious medical condition. You can ease the pain with over-the-counter pain relief, but you must see a dentist for immediate attention.
The infection causing the abscess can spread and is potentially fatal if not treated. This is true whether you are just experiencing the first symptoms of an abscess or if youve been taking antibiotics that have not worked.
In addition to seeking emergency dental treatment, youll want to:
- Avoid hot and cold beverages
- Avoid high-sugar and high acidity foods and beverages
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever that is safe for you
- Floss between the affected teeth to prevent food particles from further aggravating the problem
- Sleep with your head elevated
- Rinse with warm salt water two to three times a day
A visit to an emergency dentist is necessary if you have an abscess and cannot see your regular dentist. An abscess can be fatal if left untreated. It is a dental emergency, even if you think you can deal with the pain.
Alternative Treatment Options
Alternative treatments and home remedies for abscesses include:
Take Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers
Summary
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Oil Pulling As Treatment For Abscessed Tooth
Oil pulling is an additional effective home remedy to get rid of tooth abscess pain and infection. The procedure is very easy and it should be repeated several times along the day for 2 weeks.
You just need to put a half teaspoon of a good essential oil in your mouth and swish it around teeth and gums. There is a chemical attraction between the essential oil and the bacteria membrane so they remain trapped in the oil and removed from your oral cavity as soon as you spit it.
Which essential oil should you buy ? there are several types of oil you can use but the most used for pulling are: olive oil, sesame or coconut oil.
In order to calm down the sore spot. coconut oil can also be used to gently massage the painful gum tissue with your finger.
How Long Does It Take For Cephalexin To Work On A Tooth Infection
All medications take time to work. If you follow your providers instructions when taking cephalexin for a tooth infection, you can expect to start feeling better within a few days of starting the antibiotics.
If you arent improving after a few days, youre experiencing severe side effects, or youre starting to feel worse, seek medical advice from a healthcare provider or a K provider.
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Pain Gets Worse At Night
This happens because of the position of your body. When you lay in the bed, the blood pressure in your infected tooth increase pressing against the nerve located in the tissue pulp within the dental root canal. To relieve the pain caused by the periodontal abscess you should put a couple of pillows behind your head.
But What Antibiotics Are Used For Tooth Infections
The kind of antibiotic you need will depend on the type of bacterium causing the tooth infection. Your dentist will choose the most effective medicine that will help you get rid of your infection within the shortest time possible.
There are some classes of antibiotics that your dentist might prescribe you, including:
Penicillin Antibiotics for Tooth InfectionsPenicillin-type antibiotics are mostly used for tooth infections. They include both amoxicillin and penicillin.
However, many people are allergic to these drugs. Thus you need to first discuss with your dentist regarding any allergic reactions you had in your previous medications. This will help your dentist to choose a different antibiotic that will work best for you without any side effects.
MetronidazoleMetronidazole is generally used to treat tooth infections and easing the pain that comes with it. However, you should always avoid all alcohol-containing products when using this antibiotic.
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How Much Cephalexin Should I Take For A Tooth Infection
It depends on your age and how many infections you are facing in your teeth. Follow all directions of cephalexin prescribed by your doctor. If people feel no relief from pain even after 48 hours then the dosage can be high. It may be increased from 250mg to 500mg or 500 mg to 100mg. Skipping dosage can also cause high infection and this infection may lead to cold and common flu also.