Whenever we experience toothaches, we immediately associate the pain with infection. Our initial thought is to alleviate the pain with pain killers and antibiotics. However, there is a big misconception of what an antibiotic can do to ease tooth pain. There are tons of different reasons why your tooth is aching, and not all of them requires the administration of antibiotics. Antibiotics may control the spread of the infection, only if the infection is indeed the reason for the toothache.

You may experience tooth pain because of other oral health conditions like teeth sensitivity, receding gums, or damaged teeth. Another factor to consider is dental work complications, like a dislodged dental crown, faulty dentures, or deteriorated fillings. In these cases, antibiotics are not needed. Instead, painkillers would suffice.

You can view more at www.sandstonepointdental.com.au/dental-implants-facts, to learn about toothache remedies. 

 

Understanding Antibiotics

To understand when to use antibiotics for tooth pain, we must first learn its definition. Only then we can understand its functions. Keep in mind that antibiotics may kill a bacterial infection, but they are not necessarily made to reduce pain and discomfort. We’ll talk about the definition of antibiotics in this article and their functions and how they work. We will also outline the possible side-effect of incorrect antibiotic use. So, let’s begin with the definition.

ANTIBIOTICS DEFINITION: Antibiotics are medicines that are created to prevent the spreading of infections caused by bacteria. Their primary function is to kill and eliminate bacteria by suppressing their reproduction or thwarting their attempts to make a copy of themselves. The meaning behind the word “antibiotic” means “against life”. Any medicine that is capable of killing germs or bacteria inside the body is considered as an antibiotic. As you may have noticed, they are not intended to reduce pain, at least, not directly. They are created to eliminate the possible causes of pain.

ANTIBIOTICS FUNCTION: The majority of the bacteria found inside a human body are mostly harmless. Some of them are even helpful, like the ones that help our immune system. However, bacteria are potentially dangerous and can infect any organ, including oral health. Fortunately, antibiotics are effective against almost all types of germs and bacteria. That is their main function.

 

Antibiotics for Tooth Infections

Now that you know the meaning of what an antibiotic is and its function, you can now understand why it’s not recommended for treating tooth pain. But as we mentioned earlier, they are used to treat the possible causes of tooth pain, especially for those caused by an infection. Your dentist will provide the best antibiotics for any teeth and gum diseases that require them. Here’s a summary of the most effective antibiotics to treat oral health problems:

  • Penicillin: These include amoxicillin and penicillin. They are typically the most common types that your dentist will prescribe for treating oral infections. In severe infection cases, and amoxicillin with clavulanate is recommended because it is more potent than the regular amoxicillin. These medicines do not provide pain relief, but effective against the spread of infection.

 

  • Metronidazole: Metronidazole is one of the most potent antibiotic types that can kill a wide range of germs and bacteria classes. Dentists usually recommend metronidazole as an additional step to increase the efficiency of the treatment. Of course, it depends on the severity of the infection. Your dentist can determine which method will be best.

 

  • Clindamycin: Clindamycin is often used as an alternative form of medication if amoxicillin is not enough to suppress the bacterial infection. It is also the perfect substitute to penicillin if you have allergic reactions to the drug. Although clindamycin is highly effective, they are still not used to treat tooth pain in any way. 

 

The Risks of Taking Antibiotics 

Taking antibiotics without medical supervision can have mild to severe complications. Antibiotics are powerful drugs that are highly potent against microbial infection. However, they can also be dangerous to people with allergic reactions to them. Another factor to consider is that the stomach of a human being is full of different bacteria. Therefore, antibiotics may affect the digestive system. Here are some of the side-effects that you may encounter if you take antibiotics unsupervised:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Indigestion
  • Bloating
  • Abdominal pain and discomfort
  • Appetite loss
  • Rashes, hives, itchy skin
  • Coughs
  • Wheezing
  • Trouble breathing

Some of the side-effects mentioned above can be lethal. So, it is always important to take them only if prescribed by your physician. 

 

Treatment for Tooth Pain

The best way to treat tooth pain is to go to your dentist and have the tooth examined. They can identify the root cause and provide the best treatment for the condition. Pain killers are often prescribed for mild cases, but antibiotics are recommended if the cause is abscess or infection. The clinical approach includes x-rays, physical examination, cleaning, or in some cases, tooth extraction. However, your dentist will try to save the tooth initially, but removal is the best option if it’s beyond saving.

Home Treatment Tips:

  • OTC painkillers
  • Warm water with salt rinse
  • Flossing gently
  • Rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash
  • Using toothpaste with fluoride
  • Cold compress
  • Rinse with hydrogen peroxide
  • Cayenne powder
  • Peppermint teabag
  • Clove oil
  • Fresh garlic paste

Most of these ingredients can be found in the kitchen or at the groceries. However, they only provide temporary pain relief. The clinical approach is still your best option. But then, relieving the pain, even if temporary, can make a significant difference. So, don’t be afraid to try home remedies if you’re unable to go to the dentist yet.

 

Takeaway

Antibiotics will not stop tooth pain; rather, the cause of it. It is part of the treatment process that can eliminate tooth pain and infection. It is also crucial to think about the risks involved in taking antibiotics on your own. Self-medication may provide relief for some individuals. However, there is an increased risk of experiencing adverse health effects. Not to mention that some of them can be life-threatening. If you experience tooth pain, we recommend consulting your dentist ASAP. However, if you don’t have time to visit your dentist yet, please try the home remedies instead.