Last Updated on November 4, 2022 by Shabnam Sengupta
Antibiotics are frequently prescribed by dentists for the management of dental infections. Antibiotics have been known to address the source of infection, which is the primary factor in the successful management of dental infection. Therefore, this review discusses the significance, specificity, types, and limitations of antibiotics used in the treatment of tooth infections.
What are the possible causes of a tooth infection?
Tooth infections are serious because infections of the teeth or the structures that support them can spread to the surrounding tissues. As a result, determining the root cause becomes critical. These infections are primarily caused by bacteria. However, the inflammatory response and risk factors ultimately determine the clinical presentation and outcome of different types of tooth infections. Furthermore, environmental and genetic factors that are unique to each patient appear to influence disease progression.
Is it possible to use antibiotics to treat tooth infections?
Not always. The primary goal of treating these infections is to address the source of the infection through local dental treatment. This would help to establish soft tissue drainage, whether through root canal therapy or extraction of the offending tooth. On the other hand, antibiotics are only used as a last resort when the infection has spread beyond the confines of the tooth and cannot be managed surgically. Antibiotic therapy is also important when the bacterial insult exceeds the capacity of the body’s defense mechanisms. These mainly include extra-oral facial swelling and cellulitis.
Which antibiotic is the most effective for treating tooth infections?
Odontogenic infections are polymicrobial in nature. These could be aerobes, facultative anaerobes, or strict anaerobes. Thus, according to dental guidelines, antibiotics for their treatment should be selected depending on antimicrobial susceptibility, cultured bacteria from pus samples, and antibiotic recommendations based on resistance rates.
Please keep in mind that antibiotic therapy guidelines differ from country to country. However, penicillins are the most commonly prescribed drug class for dental infections. Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid is the most common recommendation worldwide. Also, it is worth noting that recently published Australian guidelines recommend Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid -metronidazole combination as a treatment therapy for tooth infections.
Is there a natural antibiotic for tooth infections?
No. Remember that while antibiotics may help relieve some of the symptoms of tooth infection, they cannot replace professional dental care. Thus, a tooth infection can only be treated by a dentist. However, there is an active discussion among healthcare experts that dental antibiotic prescriptions have significantly contributed to the global public health problem of antibiotic resistance development. Thus, natural remedies could be temporarily employed. These mainly include turmeric, garlic, oil pulling, and cloves.
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