A tooth infection or Abscess is the result of bacteria entering the pulp chamber of the tooth and causing inflammation of the pulp tissue leading to the formation of pus in the periapical area which is called an abscess. A tooth which is infected should be treated endodontically (Root Canal) or extracted if it is at a stage where it cannot be saved with a Root canal.
In case of tooth infections or abscess, the dentist prescribes Antibiotics to decrease the concentration of the bacteria in the site of infection. There are two types of Antibiotics which are given in case of infections – Bacteriostatic (controls the growth of bacteria) and Bactericidal (kills the bacteria).
How much time does an Antibiotic take to decrease tooth abscess or infection?
The time taken for the Antibiotic to start acting on your tooth infection depends on many factors. Will be listing out all the factors and you need to keep in mind that Antibiotics are used to decrease the bacteria population and not pain which is done by NSAID’s.
The normal or average time taken for the effect of Antibiotics on a tooth abscess or infection is “24 to 48 hours”.
- Type of Antibiotic prescribed – Bacteriostatic or Bacteriocidal
- Bioavailability of the drug,
- Route of administration (orally or I.V or I.M), IV has the fastest action and oral the slowest.
- Type and spread of infection (local or systemic)
In case of a tooth infection with swelling the time taken for the Antibiotic to act is delayed as there will be two types of bacteria in the infection – Aerobic and Aneorobic (grows without the need for oxygen).
In some cases where there is an infection caused due to both Aerobic and Anaerobic bacteria, two types of Antibiotics are required. Along with Antibiotics, painkillers are prescribed to help in reducing the pain during the healing process. The effect of painkillers is in some cases seen for a very short duration of time due to the presence of infection, the duration of action of the painkiller is seen once the infection starts to decrease.
About The Author
Varun Pandula
I am Varun, a Dentist from Hyderabad, India trying my bit to help everyone understand Dental problems and treatments and to make Dental Education simplified for Dental Students and Dental fraternity. If you have any doubts feel free to contact me or comment in the post, thanks for visiting.
I had to redo root canal of a molar ( second from the last) on my lower jaw due to infected root canal . Completed course of augmeten duo 625/ 5 days / twice daily before the dentist filled the permanent filling and posting. One day after the procedure developed throbbing pain and swollen gums / lower jaw . Took combiflam and was able to manage the pain . Today is day 2 since the procedure and there is no pain however there is swelling in the gum and the lower jaw .
Dentist wasn’t around so assistant took X-ray and said no issue with the root canal and prescribed another 5 days of augmentin duo and flagyl . Says the swelling is not an infection and rather the body’s immune response to the procedure .
Then why was more antibiotics given?? Why do i have swollen face and gums and no pain ?
I am in extreme pain for 2 days. Infection under crown. Dentist prescribed clindamycin 300 (4x a day) mg and acetaminophen-COD #3 for the pain. Seeing endodontist Monday afternoon to try to save tooth.
Pain is excruciating. Don’t know if I can stand it for 2 1/2 more days. No swelling or fever. Can you give me any suggestions??
I can relate, dealing with same issue. Unbelievable pain. Yesterday I finally had the root canal done. I was terrified due to the amount of pain I was still in after 2 days of antibiotics. I searched for a good dentist that offered sedation, just in case. Luckily just the gas and numbing was sufficient. Very sore but able to get through the root canal. Severe infection in my crowned tooth, salivary glands, chin, neck and jaw pain and swelling. Just used ice to survive those 48 hours of antibiotics so I could get to the procedure. I was also living off of Motrin and Tylenol. Now each day seems to bring improvement. Still hurting but it’s going to take time. Good luck to you!
I have just been diagnosed with a gum infection placed on metraconozole and Duraphat toothpaste. The stabbing pain has eased after being on antibiotic for 2 days, I feel slightly nauseous and a dull ache remains. I feel weak and heavy. I have Diabetes 2 and just take a statin for lowering cholesterol. I hope I will feel better soon.
Yes, you will feel better. Did your Dentist suggest you to go for Scaling or Cleaning ? In most cases Gingival infection is caused due to Plaque or Calculus deposits below the gums. So as your a type 2 Diabetic, after the medication you will need to get your teeth cleaned to remove the source of infection.
I started amox-clav 875 mg two days ago for an abcess tooth on my lower jaw but the swelling is getting worse. Yesterday, it was a knot about the size of a golf ball. Today, it’s more leveled out but goes 1 inch from ear lobe over to the middle of my mouth. Root canal appt on the 14th to allow enough time for the infection to go away. But my question is why is the swelling increasing? I have taken way too much ibuprofen, tylenol, poured liquid advil on the area for numbing, angel, prescription lidocaine and saltwater swishes to no avail.
You can wait one more day if the pain in under control. It usually takes around 3 – 5 days for the Swelling to subside. In case it is not subsiding and the swelling is turning hard and extending towards your neck, you need to consult your Dentist immediately as it might be turning into a Space infection – https://www.juniordentist.com/teeth-involved-in-various-types-of-space-infections-and-space-infection-caused-by-nerve-blocks.html
I had an abscess reappear on a failed root canal. Was in a lot of pain and face very swollen. Been to see dentist and he drained all he could, drilled and put disinfectant inside tooth and given me 5 days worth of antibiotics. Just finished course now, all pain has gone and most swelling, but there is still a hard lump above tooth; should I be worried?
Also, it is one of my front teeth so I am just wondering what the likelihood is I’ll need it taken out when I revisit in a months time?
Many thanks
Recurrent abscess are usually slow to heal and mostly the hard lump which you are seeing will subside in a week’s time. On your second visit, the dentist will evaluate whether the tooth needs a Re-RCT or Apicoectomy
ive had an absess for a while now and 2 days ago i woke with swelling on my face were the absessed tooth is i went to the dentist yesturday but they couldnt touch it with the infection my pain pretty much went with the first antibiotic which was bad for about 2 weeks even with paracetimol but today it seems like the swelling has gotten bigger still no pain but swelling is still boldly there xray tomorrrow and tooth being pulled out when they can get me in help
Antibiotics in Tooth infection just help you get temporary relief from the Abscess and Infection, as the tooth is a closed cavity the bacteria tend to return back once the Antibiotic effect and your immunity have calmed down. On repeated usage the Abscess comes back with double the effect and will lead to Resistance of the Antibiotics towards the bacteria.
I had a cavity that occurred in the side tooth just before my molars, basically right where teeth meet the side of the jaw. This had swelled up weeks prior but went away, an then I woke up one morning to see that it had gotten severely swollen. Went to dentist and found out that I had a cavity on and infection under one of the teeth (the front one) under a bridge I had gotten years back. In which the dentist shaved the 2 supporting teeth far too low and did not fully cement the bridge on correctly. The cavity and gum had become infected, they attempted to drain the abscess and gave me antibiotics that I took for a week. The night I finished my last dose, the swelling returned completely. I went in and they cut the bridge off, an extracted the tooth. Extremely painful, made an extra incision and drained puss/abscess and gave me another week of antibiotics. I have 2 days left of antibiotics, the swelling has basically all gone away. An was immediately better after extracting the tooth. There IS however still a small hardish lump on the jaw where the abscess infection was. Should this be gone already by now ? Should it take over a week ? Seeing that I’ve removed the problematic tooth.. I’m worried there may sum be some infection, that might return if any remaining. Or that if I smoke at all, this may cause the infection or abscess to remain or come back ? I know I obviously shouldn’t be smoking AT ALL, but I have.. Will this mess up the healing, an if I stop now can it still completely heal once the antibiotics are finished ?
In cases of Chronic Tooth abscess which is your case, the hard lump after draining the pus is likely the result of healing process. It takes time for the body (supporting tooth structures) to get back to normal after having the abscess for a long time. If there is no pain or redness it is healing and it usually takes 5-7 days for the Gums to heal after an abscess completely.
Few days ago, I woke up in the morning with a sore right molar tooth (2nd from the end). There is no swelling or blood coming out of the tooth or the surrounding gums, however, the tooth is very painful, even to a tiniest amount of pressure (cannot eat solid food). Now, there is also a constant pain, even, the pain killer does not seems to work for more than an hour or two. Due to the COVID-19, the dental surgeries are closed and does not see the patient face-to-face. Hence, I spoke to a dentist over a phone, he suggested that, the root of the tooth might have died or dying (based on symptoms). He prescribed me for a 5 day antibiotic (Amoxicillin 500 mg, 3 times a day) course.
Now, it is the end of the 2nd day of the 5 day antibiotic course, the pain has not been relived, moreover, it is getting worse by each passing day. There still is no swelling, but I can feel a slight discomfort under the jaw along with the constant throbbing pain in the from the tooth.
It will be very helpful, if you could provide some advise to handle my toothache!
Thank you.
If it is an infected tooth, it usually take a three day course of Antibiotics to start showing effect. So you will start to feel better by the end of day 3 of the course, but by what you have mentioned, it might also be a Tooth Fracture by looking at the lack of Swelling and the lack of caries. Dental Clinics are starting to see patients now, if possible try to get it checked to get diagnosed properly.
Hi. Four days ago I felt a hard lump, almost like a pimple under the skin, located in the crease to the side of my nostril. The next day I went to the urgent treatment center where I was DX’ed with possible cellulitis and given bactrim oral and an ointment. The day after that, my teeth on the affected side all hurt and my gum is red and swollen In that side. Today, an ulcer/abscess showed up where the gum meets the lip. I see my dentist in the morning and he called in Amoxicillin for me to take as the bactrim has not done anything to calm down the inflammation and infection. My question is this: do you often see a dental bacterial abcsess that is resistant to antibiotics? Although the physician at urgent care misdiagnosed the condition, shouldn’t Bactrim help? Question 2: this condition came out of nowhere. I had no symptoms at all until the abcsess formed 4 days ago. I’ve never had anything like this pop up before. I thought maybe there would be signs or symptoms that something was wrong before an abcsess formed. Thank you in advance for explaining this to me.
The Mode of Action of Bactrim is narrow, while the mode of action of Amoxicillin is broad which is the most commonly used Antibiotic in Dental Infections.
Did your Dentist take an X-ray to narrow down the site of Infection?
Peri Apical abscess in Anterior teeth can lead to similar symptoms which you have mentioned. Is any of your Upper Front tooth either fractured or has caries?
I recently had a root canal treatment done on my lower right, second molar. The Endodontist suggested that, the molar tooth has a facture, but it is not very deep, so, the tooth might be worth saving, rather than, exaction to relief the pain.
The endodontist completed the full root canal treatment in a single visit, in about 1 and half hour, using the local anaesthetic. He did brief me that, the roots were dead and there was a bit of an infection. He also said that, he had removed the infection and sealed the roots. However, he did not prescribe any anti-biotic. He explained to me that, the purpose of the procedure was to remove the infection, hence, he recon that, the 97 to 98 percent of the infection was removed by the procedure and whatever is left behind, the body’s immune system should be able to heal it. Currently, there is a temporary filling, and he recon that the tooth needs a partial crown, rather than, a full crown.
He asked me to take Paracetamol and Ibuprofen for few days to relief any discomfort or pain. It has now been 4 days; the pain is manageable with a pain relief tablets. However, the root canal tooth is still sore, in a sense, that when I apply any kind of pressure to the tooth, it pains, just like, it did before the treatment.
Could you please suggest, it is normal to have some pain for few days or week after the root canal treatment? Or, should I request an anti-biotic? There has never been any swelling pre- and post the root canal treatment. However, the tooth is still painful when pressure is applied to it. 1st night after the treatment was painful enough to wake me awake. I would really appreciate your advice.
Thank you!
I recently went to the dentist for pain in my mouth, he decided upon extractions. When I went in for the surgery, he said that I had an infection in my tooth and that was causing the pain. He pulled it and put me on pain killers and antibiotics. It’s been draining since it was pulled 6 days ago. When will it fully heal?
Draining as in ? Is there blood oozing out of the socket ?