Bitten Lips Or Cheeks
A lip or cheek can be bitten while eating, because of a fall, or after a local anaesthetic. The area may be very sore and swelling and infection can occur. If a numb lip or cheek is sucked, bitten or rubbed, it can be damaged without the patient realising it.
The area often looks like a chemical burn and may be misdiagnosed as such. Swelling and infection can occur because of a bitten lip or cheek.
You can treat a bitten lip or cheek with warm, saltwater mouth rinses to promote healing .
Seek treatment from a dental practitioner or GP if you are concerned an infection present.
How Are Tooth Infections Treated
To treat a tooth infection, a dentist will typically do one of the following: Open up and drain the abscess, perform a root canal, or pull the affected tooth. A doctor can also prescribe antibiotics to kill the infection before the tooth is dealt with by the dentist, to prevent the bacteria from spreading.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Antibiotics
Like any drug, antibiotics have their side effects too. Antibiotics kill both the good and bad bacteria in our body, this means that sling with the infection causing bacteria, the good bacteria get killed too. This can lead to other symptoms that may cause some discomfort. There following are some of the most commonly encountered side effects of oral antibiotics:
- Dizziness
- Yeast infection
- Oral ulcers
These side effects are temporary and usually subside in a few days. However, if you feel that you are experiencing any exacerbated form of these side effects, speak with your dentist immediately so that they may be able to decide if the medicine needs to be stopped and any other alternative medication is to be prescribed or not.
How To Prevent Antibiotic Resistance
Some dentists frequently prescribe antibiotics to their patients, even for diseases that can’t 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.
- Don’t demand antibiotics: Never demand antibiotics from your doctor if they say they aren’t necessary.
- Don’t use old antibiotics: Don’t 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 shouldn’t.
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Risk Factors That May Make Your Situation Worse
Poor dental hygiene, a high sugar intake, and a dry mouth can not only contribute to a dental infection but also make the situation a lot worse. Not taking adequate care of your gums and teeth, avoiding brushing and flossing twice a day can significantly increase your chances of getting tooth decay, gum diseases, and other mouth and dental issues. A high sugar diet also contributes to unhealthy teeth and gums, making them more susceptible to dental infections and other dental diseases. Tooth decay and infections can also become more common as you age and suffer from a dry mouth and other illnesses.
Let Our Expert Doctors At Telmdcare Help Resolve Your Dental Infection Issues
If youre suffering from any dental infection symptoms mentioned above, its best to seek professional help before the issue spirals out of control, affecting your diet, sleep, and everyday life. Fever and swelling around your face can also indicate the infection is spreading to other parts of your body and need immediate medical attention. At TelMDCare, we offer affordable, reliable, and convenient medical services to help you overcome health issues like dental infections. You can sign up for our services today, book an appointment, and a general practitioner will start by giving you an official diagnosis, quickly followed by consultation & prescription. For a mere $39, you take tak advantage of our quality consultation services with a free follow-up and an online chat with your doctor. So, whatre you waiting for? Sign up for our consultation services today and let us help you live a healthy, better, and pain-free life.
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Tooth Infection Treatment Options
Depending on the cause of the tooth infection, treatment may include:
Dental Abscess Treatment
During this procedure, your dentist will make a small incision into your gums and drain the abscess. They will drain all of the pus out before stitching it back up to ensure the bacteria is removed.
If your tooth is severely damaged or decayed, extraction will likely be necessary. Youll need a dental implant after the tooth is surgically removed, which can cost up to $4,000.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is necessary if you have a large cavity that has spread to the tooths pulp. This treatment can also involve abscess draining.
During the procedure, your dentist will remove the infected dental pulp and drain the abscess.
The root canal is cleaned, shaped, and sealed. Then a dental crown is placed on top of the root canal treated tooth.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to treat dental abscesses. After the abscess is drained, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to clear up the remaining infection. Antibiotics alone do not cure abscesses.
Depending on the severity of your abscess or infection, you may need oral antibiotics or IV antibiotics.
Apicoectomy
If you have a root canal-treated tooth but are still experiencing a toothache an apicoectomy may be necessary. This is a minor dental surgery that removes the apex .
If you develop sepsis, youll need to visit an ICU . Fluids and IV antibiotics will be used to treat this condition.
Summary
How Can I Tell If My Tooth Infection Has Spread
Untreated infections in your mouth can travel to other areas, including your face, jaw, and neck, which can be life-threatening. Very rarely, infection can travel to your brain. If you have any of the following signs or symptoms along with your tooth pain, get medical help right away:
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Fever
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Skin redness or swelling in your neck or face
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Pain with opening your mouth or touching your jaw or face
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Sore throat
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Changes in mood or vision
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Confusion and extreme drowsiness
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Severe pain and overall feeling of being unwell
Untreated tooth infections can also spread to your bloodstream. This can cause a life-threatening infection called sepsis or even travel to your heart.
If you have any symptoms that might indicate your tooth infection has spread, visit an emergency department immediately.
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Antibiotics For Tooth Pain: When Are They Needed
The most common cause of toothache or tooth pain is an infected tooth. The pulp of the tooth is found at the inner portion of a tooth, protected by the hard bony outer layers . The pulp contains the soft connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. When the enamel is damaged because of cavities, or a broken tooth, bacteria can enter into the pulp. This can lead to heat, cold, or pressure causing intense pain. Once the pulp gets infected, the pain can become constant and can even spread to the whole side of the face or cause headaches.
Symptoms Of Dental Infection
Not all toothaches and gum swelling are a sign of a dental infection, but if youre suffering from an intense, pulsating toothache that is slowly traveling to your jawbone, ear, or neck, you might need to get it checked. Other dental infection symptoms include sensitivity to extreme hot and cold temperatures, fever, pressure sensitivity when biting or chewing your food, swelling around your face, jaw, and cheeks, foul taste in your mouth, breathing and swallowing difficulties. Since not all dental infections are the same, you may also experience a foul breathing smell, sharp or shooting pains, loosening of your teeth, general uneasiness, discomfort, and lastly, swollen, red, and inflamed gums.
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What Are The Most Common Symptoms Of A Tooth Infection
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:
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Tooth sensitivity to heat, cold, and/or pressure
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Tenderness around the tooth
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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.
What Can I Do To Help With The Pain Until I Can See A Dentist
- Rinse your mouth with salty water at room temperature.
- Avoid food and drink that is sugary, spicy, too warm or too cold.
- Eat soft foods, to avoid pressure.
- Ask a pharmacist for advice on pain medication.
- Check any pain medication you have been prescribed, and follow the recommended dosage.
- Take care if you take non-prescription painkillers. Follow the instructions for use and dont take too often.
- Ask a healthcare professional about compatibility with other medications.
- Remember:
- a painkiller only disguises the problem.
- do not rely on them, and
- do not avoid treatment.
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Get Antibiotics For Tooth Infection Treatment Online
With our same-day tooth infection treatment service, you can meet with a top online doctor, get diagnosed, and receive the treatment you need. Our doctors can determine if you have a tooth infection and what kind and may also be able to prescribe antibiotics for tooth infection as part of your treatment.
A tooth infection is a dental condition when the nerve of the tooth gets infected. This is referred to as an abscess, which is a pocket of pus thats caused by a bacterial infection.
Note: While PlushCare does not currently have online dentists, our board-certified online doctors and primary care physicians can prescribe antibiotics for tooth infection as part of a treatment plan.
When Are Antibiotics Recommended For A Tooth Infection
by Altima Dental | Nov 13, 2018 | Dental Services, Patient Education
If you have a tooth infection, seeing a dentist as soon as possible is important to prevent any sort of infection from spreading. Your dentist will likely prescribe an antibiotic to help kill the bacteria causing your tooth infection. The good news is that if the infection is caught early enough it can be treated.
Read on to learn more about when you should use antibiotics to treat tooth infections.
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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.
Q: I Have Been Taking My Antibiotics For 5 Of The Prescribed 7 Days And I Feel Much Better Should I Stop Taking Them
A: It is common, and usually expected, to be free of symptoms from your tooth infection before your prescription runs out. However, you should always complete every round of antibiotics in full. Its likely that even though you arent experiencing any symptoms, there is still some lingering bacteria that will begin to grow once the medication has ended. Even if there isnt, think of the last few days as a preventative measure. You want to take your antibiotics correctly because it is best if they work the first time. The bacteria, if not depleted, will eventually begin to grow resistant to the antibiotic, so it may become less effective over time if the problem is not treated.
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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:
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.
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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Will Antibiotics Stop Tooth Infection Pain
You may need to take a painkiller along with antibiotics to ease the pain. However the painkiller and antibiotics will only suppress the infection temporarily and once the effects of the medicines wear off, theinfection will relapse. The only permanent solution to tooth infection is to get dental treatment done.
Q: How Long Do I Need To Take Them
A: Your dentist will be able to give you the most accurate information on this based on the type of antibiotic and severity of the infection, but dont be surprised if its a lengthy term. Most antibiotics are taken for at least one week, often twice a day, while other antibiotics may be prescribed for up to three weeks.
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Best Antibiotic For Tooth Infection
Which antibiotic is used for a tooth infection depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection and whether youre allergic to any antibiotics.
Common antibiotics prescribed for tooth infections include:
- Penicillin is the most common antibiotic for tooth infections. Depending on the type of bacteria and location of the infection, penicillin alone may not be effective. It is commonly prescribed alongside another antibiotic, such as Flagyl.
- Amoxicillin is often given to adult patients with mild tooth infections that dont display signs of sepsis.
- Clindamycin is usually given to penicillin allergic patients.
Remember, even if you start to feel better, you must always take the full course of antibiotic prescribed to you. Despite improved symptoms, failing to take all of your antibiotics could allow for the development of antibiotic resistance and the reemergence of a much worse infection.
In rare cases, complications do arise. These can include:
These conditions require very urgent medical attention and are best evaluated via a hospital emergency department.