Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen Are Antibiotics Used for a Tooth Infection?What Kind of Antibiotics are Used For Tooth Infections?Are There Side Effects of Antibiotics?How to Prevent Tooth InfectionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When Are Antibiotics Used for a Tooth Infection?
What Kind of Antibiotics are Used For Tooth Infections?
Are There Side Effects of Antibiotics?
How to Prevent Tooth Infections
Frequently Asked Questions
It may take a few days after starting antibiotics for tooth pain to go away. Pain relief is just one reason why your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to treat atooth infection, which occurs when bacteria lead to an abscess (pocket of pus) most often located in the soft, living tissue inside a tooth, called thepulp.
This article explains how a tooth infection is diagnosed and why antibiotics may be used in treating tooth infections. It offers information about prevention and common home remedies for a tooth infection.
Athima Tongloom / Moment / Getty Images
Tooth infections don’t always require antibiotics. In many cases, they may clear up on their own. Rinsing with warm saltwater or taking over-the-counter medicines, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may help to reducetooth painand swelling.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that dentists avoid prescribing antibiotics for most tooth infections due to potential side effects.Dental treatments, such as drainage, deep cleaning, or aroot canal(removing the infected pulp from the tooth), may sometimes be necessary.
However, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics if you are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) or if your tooth infection is spreading.Some of the signs that your tooth infection is getting worse may include:
If left untreated, a tooth infection may spread to the surrounding bones and tissues. This can lead to serious health complications, including:
If you have a severe tooth infection, your dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics to prevent it from spreading.Antibiotics may prevent tooth loss and other serious health complications.
When to See a DentistIt’s important to seek dental treatment right away if you suspect you might have a tooth infection.Make an appointment if you have a toothache that doesn’t go away, if gums are red and inflamed, or if you noticea pimple-like bubble along your gum line.
When to See a Dentist
It’s important to seek dental treatment right away if you suspect you might have a tooth infection.Make an appointment if you have a toothache that doesn’t go away, if gums are red and inflamed, or if you noticea pimple-like bubble along your gum line.
The goals of taking antibiotics for a tooth infection are to prevent tooth loss and other serious health complications. Your dentist can determine the need for antibiotics after diagnosing a tooth infection through a physical examination, pain assessment, and imaging tests, such asdental X-rays.
According to the ADA, the first-line antibiotics for a tooth infection include:
If you are allergic to penicillin-type drugs, your dentist may prescribe one of the following antibiotics instead:
Azithromycin, clindamycin, and cephalexin are all commonly used to treatbacterial infections.
Dosages depend on the type of antibiotic used. Oral azithromycin doses begin at 500 milligrams (mg) per day, while oral cephalexin doses typically are at 500 milligrams, four times per day.A full course runs from five to seven days, sometimes up to 14 days.
In some cases, your dentist may prescribe another type of antibiotic, such as:
These drugs are typically prescribed if other antibiotics don’t work to treat your symptoms or if your tooth infection begins to spread.
It’s important to take antibiotics exactly as prescribed, even if you start feeling better quickly. If you stop taking antibiotics too early, your infection may linger. You could also raise your risk of developing a bacterial infection that is resistant to antibiotics.
How Long Does it Take For Antibiotics To Reduce Swelling From Tooth Infection?You may experience an increase in pain at first but most people start feeling better within seven days after starting antibiotics for a tooth infection.A dentist will typically reassess your pain after three days and discontinue antibiotic treatment 24 hours after your symptoms are fully resolved. Be sure to take the antibiotics as prescribed.
How Long Does it Take For Antibiotics To Reduce Swelling From Tooth Infection?
You may experience an increase in pain at first but most people start feeling better within seven days after starting antibiotics for a tooth infection.A dentist will typically reassess your pain after three days and discontinue antibiotic treatment 24 hours after your symptoms are fully resolved. Be sure to take the antibiotics as prescribed.
Cephalexin vs. Amoxicillin: Similarities and Differences
Some of the most commonside effects of antibioticsmay include:
Seek immediate medical help if you experience any serious side effects while taking antibiotics, such as:
Allergic reactionsto penicillin drugs are common. If you have a history of allergy symptoms (such as hives, swelling, or low blood pressure) after taking penicillin-type drugs, let your dentist know. They may prescribe amacrolideantibiotic, such as clindamycin, to clear up your infection.
Should I Go to a Hospital or a Dentist for My Dental Emergency?
The best way to prevent a tooth infection is to practice goodoral hygiene. Here are some ways to protect your teeth from cavities and gum disease:
Natural Treatments for Tooth InfectionsHome remedies for infection treatment and prevention can include garlic, green tea, antimicrobial elements found in cranberry or citrus, black cumin spices, or polyphenols like those found in tea tree oil.The most popular natural treatment for a tooth infection is a warm saltwater rinse. Studies have yet to prove these remedies are effective so if you have a tooth infection, you should still seek professional care.
Natural Treatments for Tooth Infections
Home remedies for infection treatment and prevention can include garlic, green tea, antimicrobial elements found in cranberry or citrus, black cumin spices, or polyphenols like those found in tea tree oil.The most popular natural treatment for a tooth infection is a warm saltwater rinse. Studies have yet to prove these remedies are effective so if you have a tooth infection, you should still seek professional care.
What Are Polyphenols?
Summary
Not all tooth infections require treatment with antibiotics. However, a dentist may sometimes prescribe antibiotics to save the tooth and prevent the infection from spreading. The most common antibiotics used to treat tooth infections are penicillin-type drugs.
Possible side effects of antibiotics for tooth infections may include nausea, diarrhea, yeast infection, changes in taste, and headache. More serious side effects, such as rash, hives, swelling, joint pain, and fever, require immediate medical attention.
If your antibiotics are working, the symptoms of your tooth infection will begin to subside. Your fever, fatigue, pain, and/or swelling will decrease. If your symptoms persist or get worse, contact your dentist right away.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Dental Association.Abscess tooth.MedlinePlus.Tooth abscess.American Dental Association.Antibiotics for dental pain and swelling guideline.Ahmadi H, Ebrahimi A, Ahmadi F.Antibiotic therapy in dentistry.Int J Dent. 2021;2021:6667624. doi:10.1155/2021/6667624Lockhart PB, Tampi MP, Abt E, et al.Evidence-based clinical practice guideline on antibiotic use for the urgent management of pulpal- and periapical-related dental pain and intraoral swelling: a report from the American Dental Association.J Am Dent Assoc. 2019;150(11):906-921.e12. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2019.08.020MedlinePlus.Amoxicillin.University of Michigan Health.Penicillin V potassium (oral).MedlinePlus.Penicillin V potassium.Oral Health Foundation.Preventing tooth decay.Moghaddam A, Ranjbar R, Yazdanian M, Tahmasebi E, Alam M, Abbasi K,et al.The current antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of synthetic/herbal/biomaterials in dental application.Biomed Res Int. 2022;2022:8856025. doi:10.1155/2022/8856025
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Dental Association.Abscess tooth.MedlinePlus.Tooth abscess.American Dental Association.Antibiotics for dental pain and swelling guideline.Ahmadi H, Ebrahimi A, Ahmadi F.Antibiotic therapy in dentistry.Int J Dent. 2021;2021:6667624. doi:10.1155/2021/6667624Lockhart PB, Tampi MP, Abt E, et al.Evidence-based clinical practice guideline on antibiotic use for the urgent management of pulpal- and periapical-related dental pain and intraoral swelling: a report from the American Dental Association.J Am Dent Assoc. 2019;150(11):906-921.e12. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2019.08.020MedlinePlus.Amoxicillin.University of Michigan Health.Penicillin V potassium (oral).MedlinePlus.Penicillin V potassium.Oral Health Foundation.Preventing tooth decay.Moghaddam A, Ranjbar R, Yazdanian M, Tahmasebi E, Alam M, Abbasi K,et al.The current antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of synthetic/herbal/biomaterials in dental application.Biomed Res Int. 2022;2022:8856025. doi:10.1155/2022/8856025
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Dental Association.Abscess tooth.MedlinePlus.Tooth abscess.American Dental Association.Antibiotics for dental pain and swelling guideline.Ahmadi H, Ebrahimi A, Ahmadi F.Antibiotic therapy in dentistry.Int J Dent. 2021;2021:6667624. doi:10.1155/2021/6667624Lockhart PB, Tampi MP, Abt E, et al.Evidence-based clinical practice guideline on antibiotic use for the urgent management of pulpal- and periapical-related dental pain and intraoral swelling: a report from the American Dental Association.J Am Dent Assoc. 2019;150(11):906-921.e12. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2019.08.020MedlinePlus.Amoxicillin.University of Michigan Health.Penicillin V potassium (oral).MedlinePlus.Penicillin V potassium.Oral Health Foundation.Preventing tooth decay.Moghaddam A, Ranjbar R, Yazdanian M, Tahmasebi E, Alam M, Abbasi K,et al.The current antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of synthetic/herbal/biomaterials in dental application.Biomed Res Int. 2022;2022:8856025. doi:10.1155/2022/8856025
American Dental Association.Abscess tooth.
MedlinePlus.Tooth abscess.
American Dental Association.Antibiotics for dental pain and swelling guideline.
Ahmadi H, Ebrahimi A, Ahmadi F.Antibiotic therapy in dentistry.Int J Dent. 2021;2021:6667624. doi:10.1155/2021/6667624
Lockhart PB, Tampi MP, Abt E, et al.Evidence-based clinical practice guideline on antibiotic use for the urgent management of pulpal- and periapical-related dental pain and intraoral swelling: a report from the American Dental Association.J Am Dent Assoc. 2019;150(11):906-921.e12. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2019.08.020
MedlinePlus.Amoxicillin.
University of Michigan Health.Penicillin V potassium (oral).
MedlinePlus.Penicillin V potassium.
Oral Health Foundation.Preventing tooth decay.
Moghaddam A, Ranjbar R, Yazdanian M, Tahmasebi E, Alam M, Abbasi K,et al.The current antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of synthetic/herbal/biomaterials in dental application.Biomed Res Int. 2022;2022:8856025. doi:10.1155/2022/8856025
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