"Can you just give me antibiotics?" is one of the most common questions we hear from patients in pain. There is a widespread misconception that antibiotics cure toothaches. The reality is more complex. While antibiotics are powerful drugs, they are rarely the solution for dental pain and are prescribed strictly according to guidelines.
How Dental Infections Work
A tooth infection typically exists inside the tooth (in the nerve canal). Once the nerve dies, there is no blood supply entering the tooth. Antibiotics travel through your bloodstream. Therefore, antibiotics cannot reach the bacteria inside the dead tooth.
Taking antibiotics might temporarily reduce the swelling in the surrounding gum tissue, but the source of the infection remains untouched. As soon as you stop the course, the infection (and pain) will return, often worse than before.
Experiencing these symptoms?
Delaying treatment can lead to tooth loss. We have slots available today.
The Only Cure: Physical Intervention
To cure a tooth infection, we must physically remove the bacteria. This is done via:
- Root Canal Treatment: Cleaning out the inside of the tooth.
- Extraction: Removing the tooth entirely.
- Drainage: Lancing an abscess to let pus out.
Once the pressure is relieved and the bacteria are removed, the body heals very quickly without the need for drugs.
When Do We Prescribe Antibiotics?
We do prescribe them, but only when the infection is spreading systematically. Signs include:
Meet Dr. Yasha Shirazi
Principal Dentist at Emergency Dentist London
"We treat hundreds of dental emergencies every month. The sooner you come in, the easier the fix usually is."
Book an appointment with our team →- Facial Swelling: Visible swelling of the cheek or jaw.
- Lymph Node Involvement: Tender lumps under the jaw.
- Fever: Body temperature over 38°C.
- Trismus: Inability to open the mouth.
- Compromised Immunity: If the patient has a weakened immune system (e.g., diabetes, chemotherapy).
Antibiotic Resistance
Over-prescribing antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance, a global health crisis where bacteria evolve to survive drugs. Dentists have a duty to prescribe responsibly. If we refuse to give you antibiotics for a simple toothache, it is because they won't help you, and avoiding them protects your future health.
If you are in pain, you need a dentist's hand, not a prescription pad. Book an appointment for definitive treatment today.