Antibiotic for tooth infection
If you have a tooth infection,
or a tooth abscess,
you may be given a prescription
for an antibiotic. These tooth infections are important to treat, because
uncontrolled, they can spread to close off breathing passages
or spread to the brain. There are various types of antibiotics.
Here are some sample instructions for a patient if you have a prescription
for erythromycin, cephalosporins (such as cephalexin), or tetracycline.
1. Please take all of the antibiotic for the prescribed length of time.
2. If you accidentally miss a dose, double up on the next dose.
3. Some of these powerful antibiotics, because they kill the bacteria in
your digestive tract, may cause digestive disturbances. There may not be
any way to avoid this and still accomplish the objective of eradicating
the infection. However, if digestive problems become hard to endure, let
your dentist know, and it may be desirable to switch to a different
medication.
4. VERY IMPORTANT—If your symptoms have not been gone for three whole days
when your medication has run out, be sure to let your dentist know, so that
he or she can extend the prescription and thus avoid a relapse.
5. Women taking birth control medications need to realize that taking
antibiotics makes the birth control medication less reliable for the
duration of your current period.
6. These antibiotics can also cause allergic reactions in some people.
Advise your dental office and discontinue taking it if you
have any itching or rash develop from taking it.
Other related topics:
Read about root canal treatment.
Read about what to do for an infected wisdom tooth.
An oral yeast infection requires a completely different type of antibiotic. For that you will be given a prescription for an anti-fungal agent such
as nystatin.
A gum infection may not respond to medication at all, if it is from chronic
gum disease, especially if it not accompanied by thorough mechanical cleaning of the root
surface, where the tartar and other irritants that cause the gum disease are located.
