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Suggest Remedies For Tooth Abscess
Question: I have had a tooth abscess for 10 days now. I had a root canal done and the endodontist couldn't et to the abscess because it's in the bone. I've been on amoxicillin for 10 days but it's still there. What would be the next antibiotic to use? I was in pain but haven't been since the root canal but it's causing a lot of anxiety. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
if pain has subsided, then infection must have settled
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I read your question and understand your anxiety about it.
Usually the response to any antibiotics is decided upon clinical response. Reduction in fever, swelling, pain or any symptom with which patient is in difficulty when subsides, it is assumed that antibiotic have worked and it can be stopped.
I guess in your case as the pain has subsided, then infection must have settled too.
But abscess even if localised should be drained out. It cannot stay there even if not infective. If it is very small one then it will get absorbed and go away.
But overall I feel that as your pain has subsided, its a positive sign. If you are worried you can continue amoxicillin for another 5 days as it worked in 1st place. No need to switch to another antibiotic.
I hope I have answered your query well.
If you have any questions kindly ask me back.
Thank you
if pain has subsided, then infection must have settled
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I read your question and understand your anxiety about it.
Usually the response to any antibiotics is decided upon clinical response. Reduction in fever, swelling, pain or any symptom with which patient is in difficulty when subsides, it is assumed that antibiotic have worked and it can be stopped.
I guess in your case as the pain has subsided, then infection must have settled too.
But abscess even if localised should be drained out. It cannot stay there even if not infective. If it is very small one then it will get absorbed and go away.
But overall I feel that as your pain has subsided, its a positive sign. If you are worried you can continue amoxicillin for another 5 days as it worked in 1st place. No need to switch to another antibiotic.
I hope I have answered your query well.
If you have any questions kindly ask me back.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you very much for your response. I appreciate it. I went back to the Endodontist today for a recheck. He does not want to drain/surgically remove it yet because it's above the root almost to or possibly in the bone (at the top of my gum line at the top of my mouth). I am finished with he 10 day course of amoxicillin like I mentioned so he gave me 300mg of clindamycin to take QID for 7 days. I haven't started that antibiotic yet because I'm a tad hesitant. I don't want the infection to spread or get worse. It is small.....smaller than my pinky nail and the pain has gone away (thankfully) but it is still there and that has me worried. Thank you again for your response earlier. It helps.
Brief Answer:
better to start the antibiotic.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for following up with me.
Its good that you visited your doctor and got it checked. Because sometimes even if antibiotic course is over, the expected or desired effect is not achieved.
For abscess to be fully treated it should be collected in very small space and then it is drained from there.
As you mentioned here that the pain is still there and not completely subsided, your infection is not totally gone and still needs more antibiotic therapy.
I will also support taking clindamycin for 1 week duration.
You are almost near to killing the infection totally. Do not stop now and start the antibiotic right away and complete the course. The place of abscess is also very small and crowded and important. If it would had been anywhere else other than face, it could have been dealt surgically immediately but as the place is small and crowded and most importantly it is responding to antibiotic therapy so I feel that you should complete the course of antibiotic asap.
Do not worry. You have seen that antibiotics are working. Another 7 days and you will be done mostly with it.
I would surely advice you to start the antibiotic and complete the course of treatment.
If you have any questions kindly ask me back will be happy to answer them.
Thank you
better to start the antibiotic.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for following up with me.
Its good that you visited your doctor and got it checked. Because sometimes even if antibiotic course is over, the expected or desired effect is not achieved.
For abscess to be fully treated it should be collected in very small space and then it is drained from there.
As you mentioned here that the pain is still there and not completely subsided, your infection is not totally gone and still needs more antibiotic therapy.
I will also support taking clindamycin for 1 week duration.
You are almost near to killing the infection totally. Do not stop now and start the antibiotic right away and complete the course. The place of abscess is also very small and crowded and important. If it would had been anywhere else other than face, it could have been dealt surgically immediately but as the place is small and crowded and most importantly it is responding to antibiotic therapy so I feel that you should complete the course of antibiotic asap.
Do not worry. You have seen that antibiotics are working. Another 7 days and you will be done mostly with it.
I would surely advice you to start the antibiotic and complete the course of treatment.
If you have any questions kindly ask me back will be happy to answer them.
Thank you
Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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