Antibiotics for a Tooth Infection

I had a tooth infection. My dentist gave me some penicillin to take three times a day. I was fine while I had that, but since I finished it things seem to have gotten worse. Now my cheek is starting to swell. Should I get a refill on my antibiotic?

Elaine

Dear Elaine,

I am very glad that you wrote. At the same time, I am hoping that there was some type of misunderstanding. Antibiotics alone are not enough to solve a tooth infection. Your dentist should have scheduled you a second appointment so that he could have completed the treatment. The antibiotic should have been just to get the infection under control. You would have had either a root canal treatment or a tooth extraction while you were still taking the antibiotics.

If he didn’t do that or inform you of the need for it, then I have serious doubts about his competence. It also sounds to me like he’s made your situation worse. When and infection starts to improve and then returns because the proper treatment wasn’t done, then the tooth infection comes back stronger. This can put you in the position of ending up in a dental emergency.

Add that to the fact that I’m not crazy about the antibiotic he gave you. It isn’t the most ideal for tooth infections. My suggestion is that you contact him. Let him know the infection is back. Ask him to prescribe clindamycin and schedule the root canal. Make sure he provides you enough antibiotic to get you through the treatment as well as a few days after.

If he is uncomfortable with doing a root canal treatment, then ask for a referral to see an endodontist. If you are uncomfortable with your dentist, there is no shame in finding another dentist and explaining your situation. Just make sure that they can see you quickly.

This blog is brought to you by Holistic Naples Dentist Dr. Andrea Cameron.