Antibiotics are not recommended for treating most toothaches, according to a new American Dental Association guideline announced Oct. 25. The new guideline and accompanying review found routine dental care to be the best treatment for healthy adults with toothaches, along with over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary. Resistant strains have developed from antibiotic overuse and the medication can cause serious side effects.
The ADA also explained situations when antibiotics should be used for toothaches.
"When dental treatment is not immediately available and the patient has signs and symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, or extreme tiredness, antibiotics may need to be prescribed," Peter Lockhart, DDS, ADA liaison and research professor at Charlotte, N.C.-based Carolinas Medical Center Atrium Health, said in the news release. "But in most cases when adults have a toothache and access to dental treatment, antibiotics may actually do more harm than good."
The guidelines will be published in the November issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association.
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The ADA also explained situations when antibiotics should be used for toothaches.
"When dental treatment is not immediately available and the patient has signs and symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, or extreme tiredness, antibiotics may need to be prescribed," Peter Lockhart, DDS, ADA liaison and research professor at Charlotte, N.C.-based Carolinas Medical Center Atrium Health, said in the news release. "But in most cases when adults have a toothache and access to dental treatment, antibiotics may actually do more harm than good."
The guidelines will be published in the November issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association.
More articles on dental:
Colorado dentist abruptly closes office, patients unable to get refunds, records
How the Georgia Dental Association is fighting the opioid crisis
Texas dentist office to pay $20K to settle pregnancy discrimination suit