Antibiotics are medications that treat infections caused by bacteria.
In dentistry most commonly used antibiotics are Amoxicillin and Clindamycin.
Amoxicillin is prescribed to treat variety of bacterial infections. Dental abscess, Sinusitis, and Acute Necrotising Ulcerative Gingivitis and Pericoronitis are bacterial infections that are treated with amoxicillin.
USES
Take amoxicillin by mouth, usually every 8 hours or as directed by your dentist, with food or after you have eaten. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. For best results take this medication evenly spaced out. Continue taking amoxicillin until the prescribed amount is finish. By stopping taking the medication it will cause bacteria to continue its growth and the infection will return.
Dental abscess
An appropriate 5-day regimen is:
Adults
Amoxicillin Capsules, 500 mg
Children
Amoxicillin Capsules, 250 mg, or Oral Suspension, 125 mg/5 ml or 250 mg/5ml
6 months – 1 year 125 mg
1–5 years 250 mg
5–12 years 500 mg
12–18 years 500 mg
Sinusitis
An appropriate 7-day regimen is:
Adults
Amoxicillin Capsules, 500 mg
Children
Amoxicillin Capsules, 250 mg, or Oral Suspension, 125 mg/5 ml or 250 mg/5ml
6 months – 1 year 125 mg
1–5 years 250 mg
5–12 years 500 mg
12–18 years 500 mg
Acute Necrotising Ulcerative Gingivitis and Pericoronitis
An appropriate 3-day regimen is:
Adults
Amoxicillin Capsules, 500 mg
Children
Amoxicillin Capsules, 250 mg, or Oral Suspension, 125 mg/5 ml or 250 mg/5ml
6 months – 1 year 125 mg
1–5 years 250 mg
5–12 years 500 mg
12–18 years 500 mg
SIDE EFFECTS
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection (oral or vaginal fungal infection). Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge or other new symptoms, contact our Sugar Land Dentist right away!
Tell your doctor right away if any of these rare but serious dark urine, persistent nausea or vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes or skin, easy bruising or bleeding, persistent sore throat or fever.
This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a type of resistant bacteria. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcoticpain medications if you have the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell your doctor right away if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Amoxicillin can commonly cause a mild rash that is usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a rare rash that could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction. Therefore, get medical help right away if you develop any rash.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your dentist.
PRECAUTIONS
Before taking amoxicillin, tell your dentist if you are allergic to it; or to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your dentist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, a certain type of viral infection (infectious mononucleosis).
Amoxicillin may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work as well. Do not have any immunizations/vaccinations while using this medication unless your doctor tells you to.
Clindamycin is usually prescribed in the event of penicillin allergy. It is a great substitute for penicillin resistant bacteria.
USES
Take Clindamycin by mouth as prescribed by your dentist. Take the capsules by mouth with a full glass of water. Keep using the medication until the prescribed dose is finished. If you missed a dose take it as soon as possible.
For oral dosage forms (capsules and solution):
Adults
150 to 300 milligrams (mg)
Children
Children under 12 years: 10-25 mg/kg/day
SIDE EFFECTS
Many antibiotics, including clindamycin, may cause overgrowth of dangerous bacteria in the large intestine. This may cause mild diarrhea or may cause a life-threatening condition called colitis (inflammation of the large intestine). Clindamycin is more likely to cause this type of infection than many other antibiotics, so it should only be used to treat serious infections that cannot be treated by other antibiotics. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had colitis or other conditions that affect your stomach or intestines. You may develop these problems during your treatment or up to several months after your treatment has ended. Call your dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms during your treatment with clindamycin or during the first several months after your treatment has finished: watery or bloody stools, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or fever. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking clindamycin.
PRECAUTIONS
Before taking clindamycin, tell your dentist if you are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin (Lincocin), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in clindamycin capsules or solution. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. If you will be taking clindamycin capsules, tell your doctor if you are allergic to aspirin or tartrazine (a yellow dye found in some medications).
Tell your dentist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention clarithromycin (Biaxin, in PrevPac), erythromycin (E.E.S, E-Mycin, Erythrocin, others), indinavir (Crixivan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), nefazodone, nelfinavir (Viracept), rifampin (Rifadin, in Rifamate, in Rifater, Rimactane), and ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with clindamycin, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
Tell your dentist if you have or have ever had asthma, allergies, eczema (sensitive skin that often becomes itchy or irritated) or kidney or liver disease.
Tell your dentist if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking clindamycin, call your dentist.
If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your dentist that you are taking clindamycin.
Call our office at Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry at (281)937-7530 if you have any questions regarding antibiotics prescribed by Dr. Jafferally
Sources:
http://www.sdcep.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/SDCEP-Drug-Prescribing-for-Dentistry-Update-Sept-2014.pdf
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1531-3295/amoxicillin-oral/amoxicillin-oral/details
https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/professional-education/ce-courses/ce336/clindamycin
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/clindamycin-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20110243
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682399.html