Tooth Infection Antibiotics

A tooth infection caused by bacteria can occur due to a number of reasons. Some of the causes include the formation of cavities, damage to the enamel, gum diseases, or even an injury to the tooth. Tooth abscess is a severe form of infection that attacks the root of the tooth, causing accumulation of pus and swelling of the gum tissue.

Antibiotics for Tooth Infection
Generally, a tooth infection, particularly the abscess, requires medical treatment to halt the growth of bacteria and prevent tooth decay. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to kill the bacteria and contain the spread of infection. Unfortunately, antibiotics alone cannot cure a tooth infection. However, the use of antibiotics is very important so that the bacteria does not affect other parts of the body. It has been observed that a severe infection can get to the jaw, lungs, and the brain, if timely treatment is not taken. The antibiotics that assist in beating tooth infection are as follows:

• amoxicillin
• Clindamycin
• Erythromycin (E-Mycin)
• Metronidazole
• Penicillin

These antibiotics destroy the bacteria, thereby reducing the pain and discomfort. Antibiotics given for the treatment of tooth infection is available in the pill form. These oral medicines are usually taken for approximately 7 - 10 days.

Wisdom Tooth Infection
People who require wisdom tooth removal surgery are advised to take antibiotics so as to clear up or weaken the infection. The surgery is often postponed until the bacterial infection is brought under control. Taking antibiotics before surgery often helps to prevent recurrence of infection after surgery.

As mentioned earlier, one cannot completely depend upon the medicines to cure or stop the spread of infection. An effective form of treatment for tooth infection involves the use of antibiotics accompanied by tooth extraction or root canal treatment as recommended by the doctor. Painkillers can also be taken to reduce the pain experienced.

Side Effects
Although antibiotics play a major role to subside pain and stop bacterial growth, these medicines can bring about a few health problems too. However, serious side effects caused by these oral medications are rare, some of which are given below:

• Liver damage
• Diarrhea that lasts for several days
• Allergic reaction

In most cases, people taking antibiotics to treat tooth infections suffer from mild effects which are temporary and not a cause of worry. Usually, medical treatment is not necessary as the side effects given below, go away on their own. During the course of treatment, intake of yogurt will certainly help to minimize these side effects.

• Stomach upset
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Vaginal yeast infection

A point to note is that these antibiotics should not be stopped suddenly without consulting a dentist. Inform the doctor of the side effects if any. He may advice to reduce the dose or prescribe some other medicines. To prevent recurrent bacterial infections, one may have to take antibiotics (for a short period), even after the infection has cleared up. The aforementioned antibiotics, no doubt are effective, but when used in combination with other forms of treatment. In order to prevent tooth infections, practicing oral hygiene is essential. People are under the wrong impression that brushing twice a day is sufficient to keep teeth healthy. Flossing is equally important, but unfortunately many people underestimate the necessity of this practice. Regular flossing can prevent the formation of cavities, thereby keeping tooth infections at bay.