One way dentists treat a tooth infection is with antibiotics, a type of medication that stops bacterial growth. Amoxicillin, a penicillin class antibiotic, treats many types of bacterial infections, including tooth infections.
There are many varieties of antibiotics, but according to an article in the International Dental Journal (IDJ), amoxicillin is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic in the world for dental infections.
Metronidazole (Flagyl): This antibiotic may be prescribed to those patients suffering from severe periodontitis. Metronidazole works best when used in a combination with amoxicillin or tetracycline.
Usually, within 2-3 days, you'll start feeling better and see an improvement in the infection. On average, a full course of antibiotics takes 7 to 14 days to complete depending on the type used.
Gum disease like periodontitis or gingivitis can be treated with antibiotics, although they are not recommended as the sole treatment.
How long does it take to treat gingivitis? Patients who comply with their dentist's recommendations will often see their condition reduce dramatically within two or three weeks. More serious stages of gingivitis may take longer to see results.
How can I tell if the antibiotics are working for tooth infection? 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.
If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw, throat or neck or even to other areas of your body.
Leaving an infection to spread to your facial bones may eventually necessitate surgical removal to stop it. Even in minor cases, a tooth infection can cause the bone structures of your jaw to weaken, making it hard to support your teeth.
Saltwater. Saltwater is a natural disinfectant that can eliminate bacteria that causes gum disease and help heal inflamed mouth tissue. Salt causes fluids to move away from the swelling. If you need a gum abscess home remedy, warm saltwater is a good place to start.
Antibiotics. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or insertion of gels containing antibiotics in the space between your teeth and gums or into pockets after deep cleaning.
If the infection spreads, you may also develop a high temperature (fever) and feel generally unwell. In severe cases, you may find it hard to fully open your mouth and have difficulty swallowing or breathing.
Tooth abscesses don't form overnight—there are multiple stages to formation, starting with enamel erosion and progressing to dentin decay, pulp decay, and finally abscess formation.
Time Span of an Untreated Abscess
In case a person does not treat a dental abscess in its initial stage, then the infection may last anywhere between 5 months to 12 months or even more. Moreover, if no treatment is meted out to the condition, the precious dental pulp will die away and may get another abscess.
What dose of amoxicillin should I prescribe? For dental abscess, prescribe a course of amoxicillin for up to 5 days (review after 3 days): Adults: 500 mg to 1000 mg three times a day.
Antibiotics are only useful as a temporary measure. They will not heal the infection the way you get with a typical bacterial infection. Eventually, the pulp of the tooth which has been infected dies. This no longer has blood flow so the antibiotic doesn't get to that part of the infected tooth structure.
This class of antibiotics is the most commonly prescribed for tooth infections. The typical dosage of amoxicillin is 500mg every 8 hours or 1000mg every 12 hours.
One of the primary symptoms is that gums will be red and swollen. They will also be tender to the touch. While gingivitis may result in some minor swelling or darkening of the color of the gums, an infection will result in even more swelling and deeper redness. Bleeding gums is another sign of infection.
As soon as you notice a gum infection, you should consult with a dentist. Once gum infection is diagnosed, you will have numerous treatment options that will vary based on the severity of the gum infection.
Typically sore gums will go away with time, but if additional symptoms do appear, then it may be best to consult with a dentist. Knowing what the best ways are to relieve the gums of discomfort can be extremely beneficial.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, usually caused by a bacterial infection. If left untreated, it can become a more serious infection known as periodontitis. Gingivitis and periodontitis are major causes of tooth loss in adults, according to the American Dental Association.
Gum abscesses are slightly different from tooth abscesses, though they may share some of the same symptoms and treatments. A gum abscess is an infected pocket of tissue in the gums. There are two main types of gum abscess: gingival and periodontal. Gingival abscesses only occur in the gum tissue.
Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include: Swollen or puffy gums. Dusky red or dark red gums. Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss.