Introduction
The best antibiotics for tooth infections fight the most common bacteria in your mouth. Amoxicillin is often the first choice because it is broad spectrum and has few gastrointestinal side effects. Tooth infections often involve bacteria, and the dentist may prescribe antibiotics. They need to make sure that the antibiotic is suitable for the bacteria. In some cases, other approaches may be better. Tooth infection or infected teeth are often caused by tooth decay. However, it can develop due to previous dental work or traumatic injury. Antibiotics are one of the first things your dentist will recommend to treat a tooth infection.
Antibiotics for dental abscess complications
Deep neck infection is a dangerous complication of tooth infection when it spreads to the space between the neck muscles. An abscess forms on the neck. Boils can swell and obstruct breathing or swallowing.
Deep neck infections are treated in the hospital with intravenous (IV) antibiotics and opening the neck cavity to drain the abscess. The best antibiotics for this type of infection are amoxicillin and clavulanate by IV.
Antibiotics for deep-seated infections can be changed if the laboratory culture shows that the bacteria are more sensitive to different antibiotics (called culture and sensitivity).
Take antibiotics
If you need antibiotics to treat a tooth infection, taking the full course as directed by your doctor will help the infection. Failure to do so can make it difficult to treat recurrent infections.
Antibiotics can have side effects such as:
- Rash (antibiotic allergy symptoms)
- worried
- Mold infection
- Do not have diarrhea
Antibiotic resistance
Sometimes the antibiotics used to treat the infection don’t work well. This may be due to antibiotic resistance. Tooth infections occur when bacteria are not killed by antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics in humans over time can cause this to happen. In this case, you should switch to another antibiotic.
If there is only pain and no swelling, your dentist can treat your tooth with a dental implant without the use of antibiotics. It may involve removing tissue from your tooth (pulpectomy) or a root canal.
Prevent tooth infection
The best way to prevent tooth infections is to see your dentist regularly and maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing. A dentist can help treat dental problems that may be infected or more serious:
- A broken tooth
- mouth or toothache and swelling or fever
When the infection occurs, an overgrowth of bacteria causes pockets of pus to form in the mouth. This infection often causes swelling, pain, and tenderness in the area.
Although some over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications can help with pain, antibiotics are needed to target the bacteria causing the infection. Without treatment, the infection can spread to other parts of the jaw or brain.
List the types of antibiotics and dosages
There are more than 150 reliable sources of different bacteria found on the face. This can cause more bacteria to grow and cause infection. Although antibiotics can help clear a tooth infection, it is important to use the appropriate antibiotic in each case. Treatment can vary depending on the bacteria causing the infection, and dentists often recommend antibiotics that work against different types.
Penicillin class
Penicillin-type drugs are a common type of antibiotic for dental infections. These include penicillin and amoxicillin.
Some dentists may recommend amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, which people can use under the brand name Augmentin. This combination can help kill more bacteria. The usual dose of amoxicillin for a tooth infection is 500 milligrams (mg) every 8 hours or 1000 mg every 12 hours.
However, because some bacteria can develop resistance to these drugs, many doctors choose other antibiotics as the first line of treatment.
Also, some people may be allergic to this antibiotic. Anyone with an allergic reaction to any of these medications should speak to their dentist before receiving treatment advice.
Clindamycin
Clindamycin is effective against a variety of infectious bacteria.
According to “Reliable Source” 2015, some researchers recommend clindamycin as the drug of choice for treating dental infections because bacteria are less resistant to this drug than penicillin class drugs.
The usual dose of clindamycin is 300 mg or 600 mg per dose, depending on which dose is most effective, Trusted Source.
Azithromycin
Azithromycin works against a variety of bacteria by stopping their growth.
It can be effective in treating some dental infections. However, dentists can recommend only those who are allergic or unresponsive to penicillin-grade medications or other medications such as clindamycin.
The usual dose of azithromycin is 500 mg every 24 hours for 3 consecutive days. A reliable source.
Metronidazole
Metronidazole is an antibiotic used by doctors and dentists to treat various infections.
However, this may not be suitable for everyone and is not usually the first line of treatment.
The dose of metronidazole is about 500-750 mg every 8 hours.
What causes tooth infection?
The main cause of tooth infection is dental caries or tooth decay. Your mouth is always full of bacteria, but usually the bacteria don’t get into your teeth where they can cause an infection. If decay causes cavities, cracks, or holes in your teeth, bacteria can enter your teeth and cause tooth infections. If your tooth has been injured, causing the tooth to crack or chip, infection can also occur. Keeping your teeth strong and healthy by brushing and flossing regularly can prevent decay and infection.
Infection can occur in different areas of the tooth. Sometimes the infection occurs at the tip of the tooth when there is an opening and can cause the infection to spread to the gums. A sac of pus, called an abscess, can form around the infection and must be irrigated by the dentist to help prevent infection.
The only way to really get rid of the infection is with antibiotics. However, home remedies for tooth infection can help manage the symptoms and relieve some of the pain. If you have a tooth infection, you need to see a dentist to assess whether or not you need a root canal and to get a prescription for antibiotics to make sure the infection clears up and doesn’t cause further pain or damage to the teeth.
What types of antibiotics are used for tooth infections?
The purpose of taking antibiotics for a tooth infection is to prevent tooth loss and other health problems.
Amoxicillin and penicillin V potassium are both in a group of antibiotics called penicillin-type drugs. They fight infection by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. Penicillin-type drugs will not work to treat viral infections.
If you are allergic to penicillin-type drugs, your dentist may prescribe one of these antibiotics:
- Oral azithromycin
- Dildar clindamycin
- Oral Cephalexin5
In some cases, your dentist may prescribe a different type of antibiotic:
- Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanate)
- Flag (metronidazole) 5
This medication is prescribed if other antibiotics do not work to treat your symptoms or if the tooth infection has spread.
It is important to take antibiotics as prescribed, even if you start to feel better. If you stop taking antibiotics too soon, your infection may last longer. You may also increase your risk of developing antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
How long does it take to take antibiotics to reduce swelling from a tooth infection?
You may experience increased pain at first, but most people feel better within seven days of starting antibiotics for tooth infection.
Seek urgent medical aid if any of these:
- Rash
- Difficulty breathing
- Peeling skin or blisters
- Stomach cramps
- Worsening signs of a tooth infection
- Fever
Over the counter antibiotics for tooth infection
Here are some tips that can do to get relief from the pain:
- For discomfort, take over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
- Try to chew on the side of your mouth away from the teeth.
- Place a cold compress on your chin where your tooth hurts.
- Use a teaspoon of water and salt or liquid hydrogen peroxide.
- Treatment of tooth infection
If you have a simple abscess, a dentist or a specialist called an endodontist can perform a root canal to remove the infection and hopefully save your tooth.
If the bud is large, it may need to be watered before the root canal is established. Your dentist or endodontist will make a small cut in the gum to release the pus, and then rinse it with saline (salt water). They may also insert a small rubber drain to keep the swollen area open and dry.
After the tooth is sealed with a retainer, your dentist may place a cap or crown as a top layer to protect the tooth and make sure there are no further abscesses.
If the tooth cannot be saved, your dentist may need to extract it, then irrigate the tooth to prevent infection.
Your dentist may give you antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading to the teeth or other parts of the body. The most common uses for acne are:
- Amoxicillin
- azithromycin
- Cefoxitin
- Clindomycin
- Metronidazole
- penicillin
How much you take and for how long depend on the type of antibiotic and your specific condition. But it is important to always take it as directed by your doctor.
Prevent tooth infection
- Do not rinse your mouth or rinse with water after brushing – this can remove the protective toothpaste from your teeth.
- Avoid sugary and starchy drinks and foods, especially between meals and before bed.
- Get a new toothbrush every 3 or 4 months, or when the bristles you’re using are worn out.
- Use antiseptic or fluoride mouthwash to prevent tooth decay.
- Drink fluoridated water.
- See your dentist for regular checkups.
Periodically
This type of infection occurs when bacteria enter the tooth through a small opening. Bacteria cause the pulp in the center of the tooth to die, and the remaining cavity becomes infected. Once infected, it eventually spreads to the bone that supports the tooth, and a pus-filled abscess forms around the bone.
Periodic boils
This type of infection is less common than a periapical abscess. This type of abscess forms when bacteria in the gums become infected. The gums will begin to swell and may form gaps between the teeth and gums that are difficult to clean. Then a boil forms. Loose gums are called periodontitis.
Pericoronitis
This type of infection is inflammation of the gums around the impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth.
Most dental infections do not require antibiotics. Any pharmacological intervention is only temporary. All dental symptoms should be checked by a dentist. If you’re having trouble seeing a dentist right away, an online clinic can do something to manage the pain and swelling. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to see a dentist as soon as possible.
Self-care treatments to reduce tooth ache
Food and drink
By avoiding very hot or cold foods and drinks, you can reduce periodontal pressure and pain. Try to eat on the side of your mouth that is not affected by the rash.
Use of analgesia
We will recommend over-the-counter pain medications, but they should not be used to delay treatment. If you are having trouble finding a dentist in an emergency, you can try the NHS 111 service.
When using any type of pain reliever, it is important not to exceed the recommended dosage. Remember that most over-the-counter preparations contain the same active ingredients, so it is best not to use painkillers without first checking with a healthcare professional.
Brush
You should use a soft toothbrush and avoid swelling in the affected tooth.
Treatment of dental infections
While an online clinic is happy to provide emergency treatment for tooth infections and abscesses, you should see a dentist to determine the type of disease and treat the root cause of the problem. It is not wise to continue to treat the symptoms with long-term antibiotics, because this can worsen the situation without treating the cause.
Antibiotic treatment
Online clinics can prescribe Metronidazole, Amoxicillin or Clarithromycin to treat dental abscesses. Medicines are prescribed by us and sent by the pharmacy for next day delivery or urgent care at your local pharmacy. If you order before 3.30pm Monday-Friday, your order will arrive the next day before 1pm.
Analgesia
Not all dental infections warrant an antibiotic prescription. If you are in pain but antibiotics are not clinically indicated, we can prescribe Diclofenac or Naproxen to help with pain and swelling until you see a dentist for specific treatment.
Antibiotic resistance
You may have heard of antibiotic resistance. Here, antibiotics lose their effectiveness over time due to overuse at the personal and community level. Antibiotic prescription should be limited if necessary. Antibiotics are not the best way to manage dental problems.
Natural Remedies to relief tooth infection
Not all of these remedies will work for everyone, but if you have pain from an infected tooth, they may provide some relief.
1. Rinse with salt water
One of the easiest things you can do to relieve the pain of a tooth infection and try to stop the infection from spreading is to rinse your mouth with a warm salt water solution. Rinsing with salt water will kill some of the bacteria in your mouth and rinse out your mouth.
2. Baking soda
A home remedy for a tooth abscess that you probably have in your kitchen is baking soda. The same baking soda you keep in the fridge to reduce odors has antibacterial properties. If the infection in your tooth is in another part of the tooth, use a rinse.
3. Essential oils
Essential oils are made from plants that are distilled with water or steam or cold pressed to extract the oil from the leaves and stems of the plants.
There are many different fine essential oils that have been shown to have some success in treating many dental problems including infections such as:
- Oregano oil
- Thyme oil
- Clove oil
- Tea tree oil
- Lavender oil
4. Herbal teas
You can make your own herbal teas by purchasing leaves and stems of various herbs and simply steeping them in hot water to make a tea. However, it will probably be more efficient to buy medicinal grade teas that are already made.
5. Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is something almost everyone has in their first aid kit or medicine cabinet. It has many household and first aid uses, but is best known for preventing infection in cuts and as an effective mouthwash. This simple first aid clip is one of the best remedies for an infected tooth. To make a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash, use a 1:1 ratio or mix equal parts peroxide and warm water and then rinse your mouth.
6. Garlic
A home remedy for tooth abscess that is easy to find and cheap to buy is garlic. If you suspect you have a tooth infection and can’t get to the dentist right away, peeling a clove of garlic and biting it gently on the infected tooth can help. You will need to leave a piece of garlic on your tooth for a few minutes for it to be effective.
7. Over-the-counter pain relievers
You can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, naproxen, or aspirin to control the pain and any radiating pain caused by the tooth infection. Just make sure you don’t take more than the recommended dose and make sure they don’t interact badly with the medications you’re taking.
8. Coconut oil pulling
Oil pulling is a rather controversial practice. Some people say it helps maintain good dental hygiene and recommend doing it daily. Coconut oil has some powerful antibacterial properties, so it’s possible that oil pulling with liquid coconut oil could help in relieving the pain.
Conclusion
A dental infection is a pocket of pus that develops inside the pulp of a tooth due to an overgrowth of bacteria. Tooth infections are often caused by tooth decay, dental failure, or broken or chipped teeth.
Not all dental infections require treatment with antibiotics. However, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics to save the tooth and prevent the spread of infection. The most common antibiotics used to treat dental infections are penicillin-type drugs.
Side effects of antibiotics for dental infections include nausea, diarrhea, yeast infections, taste changes, and headaches. More serious side effects, such as hives, hives, swelling, joint pain, fever, requires immediate medical attention.
When bacteria enter the root of a tooth, it can cause pus. This infection is called a swollen tooth or periapical abscess. If left u
ntreated, it can spread to your chin or other areas of your head or neck.
