Antibiotics Used for a Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is also known by the names of tooth dentoalveolar or root abscess. The condition is characterized by the local accumulation of pus in the adjoining area of the infected tooth. The most commonly occurring abscess is the periapical abscess, followed closely by the periodontal abscess.
The aetiology of the disease starts from the centre of the tooth which is often dead. The reason for this may be tooth decay or broken teeth. Many a times, failed root canal procedures also give rise to dental abscess.
What are the different kinds of dental abscesses?
- Periapical abscess
- Periodontal abscess
- Gingival abscess
- Pericoronal abscess
- Combined periodontic-endodontic abscess
What are the definitive signs and symptoms of dental abscess?
- Continuous pain in the jaw
- Pain is shooting, extreme, sharp and growing
- Pressure increases the pain
- Tooth is sensitive to touch
- Swelling is pronounced
- Facial swelling because of bone perforation
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
You can find our more about the signs and symptoms at this private medical website.
What are the antibiotics for treating dental abscess?
Dental abscesses are somewhat difficult to treat. It is for this purpose that antibiotics are prescribed for the resolution of a tooth abscess. Some of the widely used antibiotics for dentoalveolar abscesses are:
- Amoxicillin
- Clindamycin
- Erythromycin
- Metronidazole
- Penicillin
A full list is provided here.
How do these antibiotics work?
The primary function of antibiotics is to kill bacteria. These are popular and the most effective way of fighting several infections. For an abscessed tooth, antibiotics are prescribed in the form of a pill or in liquid form. The treatment lasts for around 7 to 10 days.
Antibiotics inhibit the further growth of any bacteria and help prevent serious medical conditions such as cellulitis. These antibiotics are used ancillary to procedures such as root canal treatment to drain the abscess and extract the affected tooth.
The success rate of this therapy is extremely high. The combined efforts prevent the spread of bacteria to the deeper levels of the bones. The only time that these antibiotics will not yield proper results is when they have not been taken as prescribed.
You can find out more about how antibiotics work here.
Are there any side effects?
Understandably, a wide majority of the medicines have side effects. But these are minimal when compared to the advantages rendered by the medicinal drugs. Moreover, these side effects do not last for long. You may talk to your doctor if you are experiencing unbearable discomfort as a result of any kind of medicine.
Some of the side effects experienced in a few cases are:
- Light headedness
- Skin rash
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting
Things to be careful about
- What many people do not realize is that they need to follow their proper prescription in order to derive benefits from an antibiotic. Carelessness in this regard will only make the infection come back, stronger than before.
- Women who are pregnant, planning a family or breast feeding, should consult their doctor before taking any antibiotics.
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