TREATING TOOTH INFECTIONS

• Sources of Tooth Infections
• Infections after Tooth Extractions
• Antibiotic Treatment
• Antbiotic Premedication
• Research Any Particular Drug Here

ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT:

Dental infections often will need to be treated with ANTIBIOTICS.

Common antibiotics include,

• Penicillin
• Amoxicillin
• Erythromycin
• Clindamycin
• Clarithromycin

There are indications for ANTIBIOTICS in the dental field, but there is a risk to its OVERUSE!

OVERUSE: If antibiotics are overused, the bacteria it is intended to fight, can develop a RESISTANCE, which can cause antibiotics to be INEFFECTIVE.

WHEN TO USE:

SWELLING: If you are SWOLLEN, you will likely need antibiotic therapy.

INFECTIONS: Some dental infections DO NOT require antibiotics. For example, if your tooth is infected and a ROOT CANAL is started or the tooth is EXTRACTED, you may not need antibiotics.

Sometimes REMOVING THE SOURCE of the infection, will allow the infection to clear up on its own.

DURATION: Antibiotics are usually given for 7-10 days. It often takes 1-2 days for the antibiotics to START working, so do not give up on them after only 1 day. On the other hand, it may take 7-10 days for all the bugs to be killed, therefore, if your swelling goes down after 3 days, CONTINUE to take the antibiotics for as long as it was ORDERED.

ANTIBIOTIC PREMEDICATION:

There are certain medical conditions which require the patient to take a dose of antibiotics prior to their dental appointment. This is done to help prevent any bacteria introduced from the dental procedure, from causing an infection in another part of the body.

CONDITIONS WHICH REQUIRE PREMEDICATION: (This list is not all inclusive, so check with your provider if you have any concerns)

• Heart Murmur
• History of Rheumatic Fever
• Joint Replacement
• Kidney Dialysis
• Mitral Valve Prolapse with Valvular Regurgitation
• History of taking Phen Fen or other Diet Drugs
• History of Bacterial Endocarditis

DENTAL PROCEDURES WHICH REQUIRE PREMEDICATION: (This list is not all inclusive, so check with your provider if you have any concerns)

If significant bleeding is not going to occur, it is not necessary to take antibiotics prophylactically before your dental appointment.

YES, ANTIBIOTICS ARE NEEDED:

• Extractions
• Periodontal Surgery
• Endodontic Surgery
• Root Canal Therapy
• Periodontal Cleanings

NO, ANTIBIOTICS ARE NOT NEEDED:

• Routine Fillings
• Routine Crown Preparations
• Routine Dental Cleanings
• Orthodontic Placement of Bands or Brackets
• Dental Xrays or Radiographs

DOSAGE:

AMOXICILLIN, usually administered as 500mg x 4 tablets (2.0 grams), taken 1 hour before dental appointment.

CLINDAMYCIN, usually administered as 150mg x 4 tablets (600mg), taken 1 hour before dental appointment. tooth infections, tooth abscess, tooth abcess tooth infections, tooth abscess, tooth abcess