If the infection is limited to the abscessed area, you may not need antibiotics. But if the infection has spread to nearby teeth, your jaw or other areas, your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics to stop it from spreading further. Your dentist may also recommend antibiotics if you have a weakened immune system.
Tooth infections that have traveled to the jawbone can lead to severe dental abscesses and jawbone infections. Osteomyelitis in the jaw causes persistent pain, jaw stiffness, swelling, and tenderness. Additionally, bacterial infections of the teeth can also spread to the bloodstream and cause sepsis.
Dental abscesses are treated by removing the source of the infection and draining away the pus. Depending on the location of the abscess and how severe the infection is, possible treatments include: removing the affected tooth (extraction) – this may be necessary if root canal treatment isn't possible.
When you are suffering from a tooth infection, you may want an easy solution, such as a course of antibiotics. However, antibiotics won't cure your tooth infection. Oral bacterial infections cause abscesses, which are small pockets of pus and dead tissue in the mouth.
The patient should seek emergency help if the infection has become so painful and cannot be managed with over-the-counter medication. If the patient has developed a fever, has chills, is vomiting, or exhibiting other symptoms of having a dental abscess.
Untreated jaw infections can lead to cellulitis (spread of bacterial infection to the skin), Ludwig's angina (spread of bacterial infection to the floor of the mouth), the spread of infection to other parts of the head, and neck, etc. The condition can become life-threatening if ignored.
If they are not treated, they can last for several months or years. There are two types of dental abscess – one can form under the tooth (periapical) and the other in the supporting gum and bone (periodontal).
Amoxicillin is usually the first choice for tooth infection treatment. If your tooth infection is more serious, your dentist may prescribe a combination of amoxicillin and another drug called Clavulanate. This combination is stronger and more effective against tooth infections.
Although you might not notice it right away, antibiotics begin working as soon as you start taking them. Usually, within 2-3 days, you'll start feeling better and see an improvement in the infection.
In conclusion, the maximum period that an untreated tooth abscess can sustain is 12 months or more. But, such longevity is associated with dangerous complications such as sepsis or even death. Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!
An antibiotic alone will not heal an infected tooth. This is just one of the reasons it is considered a dental emergency. A dentist has to physically get in there and remove the infected pulp. Generally, there are two ways to do that: a root canal treatment or, if that is not possible, a tooth extraction.
Should an abscess rupture, the pain may significantly decrease but treatment is still necessary. If an abscess does not drain, the infection can spread to the jaw and to other parts of the neck and head. It is also possible that a life-threatening infection called sepsis could develop and spread throughout the body.
Amoxicillin. Amoxicillin is usually prescribed for dental infections. In some cases, it is used together with other antibiotics. Amoxicillin may be prescribed for an abscessed tooth to help prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth and other parts of the body including the jaw and other facial structures.
Infections:
X-rays can also help dentists detect infections that may be present in the gums, jawbone, and other areas of the mouth. This is important for identifying and treating problems like abscesses before they become severe.
When treated in a timely fashion, dental infections or “abscesses” can normally be managed in the an office setting. Unfortunately if left untreated, dental abscesses can have serious consequences requiring hospitalization. This is why its so critical to see your dentist if you have a dental infection.
Although it is not very clear, according to the literature in most cases, 2-3 days of medication is adequate. However, when the treatment is not done properly, the antibiotic coverage may be needed for up to 7 days. According to the International Dental Journal study notes, most acute infections resolve in 3-7 days.
Rinsing with salt water creates a saline mixture to safely begin sterilizing the infection. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of table salt with 1/2 cup of warm tap water. Swish in your mouth for a few minutes before spitting. Repeat every few hours if needed.
Saltwater rinse
A saltwater rinse will kill off some of the bacteria in your mouth and irrigate your mouth. It can rinse some of the debris out of your mouth and if you have an abscess it can help break up the pus surrounding the tooth. You can use regular table salt and warm tap water to make a basic saltwater rinse.
Osteomyelitis is an inflammation of bone cortex and marrow that develops in the jaw usually after a chronic infection.