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.
Some Natural Remedies Include:
- Salt water rinse: rinsing your mouth with salt water promotes wound healing, healthy gums and is an affordable alternative to seeing the dentist
- Baking soda: great for removing excess plaque, it also has antibacterial properties
- Oregano, clove and/or thyme oil: known to be antibacterial and anti-oxidizing, these oils all contain anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve pain
- Cold compress packs: reduce swelling and numbs the pain
- Garlic: rubbing a clove of garlic on the infected area will reduce the pain and kill bacteria
If youre having symptoms of a tooth infection, such as persistent throbbing pain, swelling and sensitivity to temperature or pressure, see a doctor or dentist as soon as possible. If your dentist prescribes antibiotics, follow the instructions carefully and finish the prescription. Even if the infection seems mild, it can quickly become serious without proper treatment.
Introduction To Dental Medications
There are several types of medications that are used to manage a variety of diseases involving the oral cavity that are part of good dental care. The medications discussed in this article have pharmacological properties that are used to treat conditions such as pain, anxiety, and infections, amongst others.
It is important to always communicate all dental signs and symptoms to your dentist, so that appropriate management and choice of medications can be made.
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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 Root Canal
A root canal is an endodontic treatment that extracts theinner layer of your tooth called the pulp. Your tooth is sterilized and sealedbefore a custom-made crown is bonded over it. Although they have a bad reputationfor being painful, new advancements in dentistry make them no worse than adental filling.
Dont wait until its too late to save your tooth. Contactyour dentist for immediate care.
About Exceptional Dentistry & Sedation Center
Are you asking, where is an emergency dentist near me?Look no further. Our team of dentists provides the exceptional dental care you deserveusing advanced services, like root canal therapy. If youre nervous about thetreatment, we offer sedation dentistry. If you have an infected tooth, contact our officetoday for an appointment.
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Whats The Dosage And For How Long
Normally antibiotics in these cases need to be taken for seven to ten days, and how many times a day depends on the antibiotics.
Its very important that you follow the instructions given to you by either the pharmacist or dentist on how to take the medication. Cutting it short, even if the symptoms disappear, will allow the surviving bacteria to restart the infection and it will become harder to treat again.
Which Antibiotics Are Used For These Infections
Some tooth infections can be solved just by draining the abscess and dont need an antibiotic to continue the healing process, other cases might require a root canal treatment or the extraction of the tooth. However, in some cases an antibiotic is needed when certain conditions are present:
- If the infection is severe and treatment of the tooth alone wont solve the problem.
- If the infection has already begun to spread to other areas of the head.
- If the person has a weakened immune system.
Depending on what type of bacteria is causing your tooth infection, your dentist will prescribe a certain antibiotic. There are several types of these medications that have different mechanisms to fight off and kill bacteria.
However, the most commonly used kind of antibiotics is those of the penicillin class, for example, penicillin or amoxicillin. Another antibiotic that is used often and prescribed with penicillin is metronidazole, which would cover a broader bacterial spectrum.
Although penicillin antibiotics are very widely used as the treatment for tooth infections, a lot of people are allergic to them. So if youve had any type of allergic reaction to any medication before, its very important that you tell your dentist about it.
For those that are allergic to penicillin, the most common options are clindamycin or erythromycin.
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Which Antibiotics For Tooth Infection
Tooth infection or abscessed tooth are common dental problems caused by tooth decay, bacterial infections, injuries to dental tissues, or as a result of certain dental procedures. Tooth infections or abscesses can cause severe pain, sensitivity, and intra or extraoral swellings. If left untreated, dental infections can spread to adjacent tissues increasing the severity of the dental problem.
In case you have a tooth infection or any signs of infected oral tissues, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible. At Channel Islands Family Dental Office, dentists in Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula and Port Hueneme, our dental professionals always suggest the patients follow their regular check-ups for early detection of any signs of tooth infections or decay. In case of tooth infection, your dentist is likely to prescribe antibiotics to help with the bacterial infections. Lets understand some more about the commonly used antibiotics in dental infections:
The type of antibiotic prescribed depends upon the nature of the microbe causing the infection. Different classes of antibiotics have been found effective in attacking the bacteria in different ways.
Clindamycin: It is widely used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. It is considered an effective option due to its low cost, availability as well as low bacterial resistance, especially in comparison to penicillin. A typical dose of clindamycin is either 300 mg or 600 mg every 8 hours.
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How Long Does Ciprofloxacin Take To Work
It may take one to one and a half hours to start the reaction after taking medicine orally. For infection, it will take a few days to go down. It depends on your response to the medicine.
Around 40 to 50% of medicine is excreted unchanged with the urine.
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What To Do If You Have A Dental Abscess
You should see a dentist as soon as possible if you think you have a dental abscess.
Avoid visiting a GP, as there’s little they can do to help.
You can get help from:
- your registered dentist if it’s out of hours, they should have an answerphone message with details of how to access out-of-hours dental treatment
- NHS 111 who can give you details of dental services in your area
- your local A& E if you’re having difficulty breathing or swallowing, or there’s swelling around your eye or neck
You may have to pay for emergency NHS dental treatment, depending on your circumstances.
Antibiotics Will Not Solve A Tooth Infection
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.
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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.
What Is The Best Antibiotic For Gum Infection
A gum infection left untreated can lead to all sorts of problems such as:
- Adult tooth loss
- Soft tissue damage
- Weakening of your jaw bone
Amoxicillin is the best antibiotic for a gum infection. However, if you have an allergy, other antibiotics for gum infection include erythromycin, tetracycline, or metronidazole.
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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.
What To Do If You Overdose
If you feel dizziness, restlessness, vomiting, or pain/swollen tendons throughout the dose, you may have overdosed yourself.
If these symptoms are shown up unnecessarily, call the doctor or poison control helpline. If a victim collapses, starts having problems breathing, or has a seizure, contact emergency services.
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The Difference Between Dental Abscess And Dental Infection
Tooth infection is usually called a dental abscess, though there is a slight difference between the two. In fact, an infection in the mouth can appear as a cavity, pulpitis, or a dental or periodontal abscess.
A cavity causes the tooth enamel, the hard surface of the teeth, to start to break down. If it happens rapidly, this can be painful. However, numerous cavities or dental caries do not cause immediate side effects.
If the infection affects the pulp, the middle part of the tooth, it causes pulpitis. This condition typically produces a toothache, which can be triggered by hot and cold foods and drinks.
Lastly, if left untreated, it can form a tooth abscess, also known as a periapical abscess. Once the infection has nowhere else to go, it creates a pocket of pus, an abscess. If it affects the deeper part of the gums, it is called periodontal or gum abscess.
Antibiotics For Tooth Infection
Tooth infection is one of the most painful and frustrating conditions to be in. Anyone who has suffered or is currently suffering from a tooth infection knows how frustrating and troublesome it can be to have a tooth infection. The pain and discomfort associated with a tooth infection can be highly excruciating, especially when this pain worsens at night when all you want to do is to hit the bed and have a good night sleep.
If you have ever visited your dentist for a tooth infection that is causing pain, chances are that your dentist must have prescribed antibiotics to you. With the use of those antibiotics, your infection would have subsided and the pain would have also stopped. This is how potent and effective antibiotics are for tooth infection.
Whenever you visit a dentist with an infected tooth, the dentist will surely prescribe antibiotics as they are the first line of treatment to control the infection. Not just a tooth infection, any bacterial or other microorganism caused infection requires antibiotics for management.
With the discovery of the first antibiotic, penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928, began the revolutionization of the world of medicine. Today, there are more than thousands of commercially available antibiotics for curing various kinds of infections. Research is still being done to discover newer antibiotics with less side effects and better anti microbial activities. Read this article to know more about the history of antibiotics.
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Why Dont Antibiotics Cure Toothache
A dentist needs to examine your mouth and decide the cause of the pain. Dental treatment may then be needed, such as fillings, root treatment or sometimes extraction of the tooth.Painkillers can help paracetamol and, if you can safely take it, ibuprofen. Both can be bought from pharmacies.Always read the patient information leaflet and check it is safe for you to take either medicine. You can ask your pharmacist for advice.
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.
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How Much Should I Take And For How Long
Most of the time, you will need to take antibiotics for about one week. Depending on the kind of antibiotic, you may require to take a portion two to four times each day.
Your doctor should give instructions on how to take the antibiotic. Or you can inquire the pharmacist if you are uncertain about how to take a medication.
Furthermore, keep in mind to always take the entire set of antibiotics given by your dentist, even if the issue seems to vanish. If you neglect to take the whole course, some bacteria might survive, making it difficult to treat the infection.
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.
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