Which antibiotic for abcessed tooth

Dentists will typically only recommend antibiotics in dentistry for tooth infections. However, not all infected teeth require antibiotics. In some cases, a dentist may simply be able to drain the infected area, remove the infected tooth, or perform a root canal to fix the issue.

They tend to avoid recommending antibiotics unless they are absolutely necessary, such as when the infection is severe or spreading, or if a person has a weakened immune system. Although antibiotics can help clear a tooth infection, it is important to use the appropriate antibiotic in each situation.

The type of antibiotic a dentist recommends will vary depending on the bacteria causing the infection. This is because different antibiotics work in different ways to eliminate different strains of bacteria. As a study in the Dentistry Journal notes, there are over different strains of bacteria that occur in the mouth.

Many of these bacteria have the potential to grow and cause an infection. Treatment may change depending on the bacteria causing the infection, though much of the time, dentists simply recommend an antibiotic that works against many types. Penicillin-type drugs are common forms of antibiotics for tooth infections.

This includes penicillin and amoxicillin. Some dentists may also recommend amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, as the combination may help eliminate more stubborn bacteria. Typical dosages of amoxicillin for a tooth infection are either milligrams mg every 8 hours or 1, mg every 12 hours. Typical dosages of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid are around —2, mg every 8 hours or 2, mg every 12 hours, depending on the minimum effective dosage.

However, some bacteria may resist these drugs, making them less effective. In fact, many doctors now choose other antibiotics as their first line of treatment. Also, some people are allergic to these drugs. Anyone who has had an allergic reaction to similar medications should tell their dentist before receiving their treatment recommendation. Clindamycin is effective against a wide range of infectious bacteria.

As a study in the International Dental Journal notes, some researchers recommend clindamycin as the drug of choice to treat dental infections, as bacteria may be less likely to resist this drug than penicillin-class drugs. This pulpal inflammation does not necessarily have bacteria. Hence, antibiotics are of no use in such cases.

In the other cases, where the pain is of a chronic type and the sensitivity test comes back negative, there is a possibility that the pulp is dead, and this area of necrosis has become home to some bacteria. Here, even though the bacteria is present causing the infection in the pulp area, the source of infection in most cases is the tooth itself. As the pulp is dead, there is no blood supply, hence the infection is not systemic.

An antibiotic should only be used when the source of infection is systemic. Mostly, acute infections are severe, which presents extreme swelling and the spread of which mostly occurs to the outer regions of the tooth. Such cases need to be treated under antibiotic coverage. One study has revealed that the patients who had systemic involvement and presented some cardinal signs of infection, recovered more quickly when treated with antibiotics than those who were not treated with antibiotics.

Whereas, the patients whose infection was limited to the tooth structure when treated properly, without any use of the antibiotic, recovered more quickly than those who were treated only with an antibiotic. Hence, the key take away here is that in both cases the proper treatment was rendered depending upon the source of the attack. The sugars in soda can lead to cavities and poor dental health.

Here's why it happens and how you can prevent it. Scientists are developing methods using stem cells that may allow humans to regrow teeth someday. However, there is currently no way to regrow missing…. Mouthwash can have some unpleasant side effects. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Which Antibiotics Treat Tooth Infections? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.

Best antibiotics Dosage and duration Over-the-counter remedies Takeaway Overview A tooth infection, sometimes called an abscessed tooth , causes a pocket of pus to form in your mouth due to a bacterial infection. Which antibiotics work best for a tooth infection? How much should I take and for how long?

Are there any over-the-counter remedies? Sign up now. Search Box Clear. Want more tips and offers sent directly to your inbox? Products Categories Goals Brands. Our Commitment Our Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program brings oral health education to more than half a billion children around the world.

Learn more about our commitment to oral health education. Badge field New. Published date field. Top Articles. Types of Dental Infections According to the American Association of Endodontists , you may have an abscessed tooth if you experience pain when chewing, an aching jaw or swollen gums.

There are several types of dental infections that could possibly require antibiotic therapy, as the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario outlines: Periapical abscess A periapical abscess is an infection around the tip of a tooth's root, originating from an infected nerve chamber in the tooth. This is the most common dental emergency, and typical symptoms may include visible swelling, sensitivity to hot and cold and a bad taste in the mouth. Periodontal abscess A periodontal abscess is a bacterial infection in the gum tissue that can occur if a person is unable to properly clean the pockets in the collar of gum tissue surrounding their teeth.

This condition is often associated with periodontal disease and loss of the bone that forms the sockets that support the teeth.

Typical symptoms include swelling of the gum tissue and accumulation of pus.