Use of Antibiotics for Dental Infections
Dental infections can be painful and challenging to treat. Knowing when antibiotics are appropriate is essential for effective care and recovery.
What Don’t Antibiotics Treat?
Antibiotics are not effective for:
- Viral Infections: They do not work for infections caused by viruses.
- Cold Sores: These are viral and require different treatment.
- Fungal Infections: Antibiotics do not combat fungal causes.
- Toothaches Alone: A toothache isn’t cured by antibiotics unless it’s due to a bacterial infection.
Your dentist must examine your mouth, identify the cause of pain, and determine if antibiotics are necessary. Learn more about managing dental pain on our Emergency Dentistry page.
Which Antibiotics Work Best for Tooth Infections?
Not every tooth infection requires antibiotics. Sometimes, your dentist may drain an abscess, perform a root canal, or remove the infected tooth.
Antibiotics are typically used when:
- The Infection Is Severe: Particularly if it has spread.
- The Infection Has Spread: Beyond the initial area.
- Your Immune System Is Weakened: Making it harder for your body to fight the infection.
The choice of antibiotic depends on the bacteria causing the infection. Different classes target bacteria in distinct ways.
Common Antibiotics for Dental Infections:
- Penicillin Class: Penicillin and amoxicillin are most commonly prescribed.
- Metronidazole: Often used alongside penicillin to target a broader range of bacteria.
- Alternatives for Allergies: If you’re allergic to penicillin, your dentist might prescribe clindamycin or erythromycin. Always inform your dentist about any allergies.
Spotting Sepsis: A Serious Dental Complication
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that occurs when your immune system overreacts, damaging your body’s own tissues and organs. Although its symptoms can be vague—often resembling flu or chest infections—early recognition is vital. Learn more about sepsis warning signs on our Sepsis Awareness page.
What is Sepsis?
- Definition: A severe, systemic response to an infection, also known as septicaemia or blood poisoning.
- Transmission: It cannot be caught from another person.
Urgent Advice: Call 111 if You or Someone in Your Care:
- Feels very unwell or senses something is seriously wrong.
- Has not urinated in a day (adults and older children) or in the last 12 hours (babies and young children).
- Continues vomiting and cannot retain food or liquids (especially for babies and young children).
- Experiences swelling, redness, or pain around a wound.
- Has a very high or low temperature, feels extremely hot or cold, or is shivering.
If you’re unsure whether it’s sepsis, it’s best to call 111 for advice. They can arrange guidance from a nurse or doctor, or dispatch an ambulance if needed.
For urgent care or to discuss your dental infection, book an appointment with us today.
This updated guide helps you understand when antibiotics are necessary for dental infections, what they cannot treat, and how to recognize serious complications like sepsis. For more personalized advice or immediate treatment, don’t hesitate to Related