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.
Hello, 6 days ago I went to the emergency dentist for severe tooth pain from my crowned tooth. They said that I had an abscess and needed specialist root canal. I’ve been taking antibiotics since then, but the main is still just as bad and it seems to of made no difference. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks with my normal dentist and can’t get seen sooner.
If it was a Crowned tooth, it might have got Root Canal treatment done prior to it ? What are the Antibiotics which were prescribed?
Hi, as you have already got your Wisdom teeth removed it would be best to Save the tooth by getting Root Canal Treatment done and then going for Braces. The tooth seems to have been affected Periodontally Earlier.
I just had a tooth pulled and bone graft done on #19. I was prescribed Augmentin. I’m on day 7 of a 7 day rx. The pain is still there and a small amount of swelling. I went to my dentist but she didn’t seem concerned. She took an x-ray. And could see the infection. But said it was healing fine. Is it normal for the pain to be like it is?
As a Bone graft was placed it heals a little different as compared to a normal healing socket. Until there is no severe pain and a huge swelling it will be fine. Just apply an ice pack to relieve the symptoms. Make sure there is no food stuck in the healing socket and you will be alright.
I have extreme tooth pain, i have had it before , took amoxiciilan and it got better. no money for dentist
now taking amoxiciallan again, 6 hours in and the pain is still excruciting, could i ahve become resistant to amoxicillan 2 months later?
Not just that you became resistant to Amoxicillin, it will be because of the infection coming back worse than it was the previous time. In Tooth infection the bacteria which cause the infection do not get completely removed the Peri Apical region of the tooth. The Antibiotics given are just for Temporarily reducing the concentration of Bacteria thus helping in going for Root canal treatment or Extraction of the tooth.
As you have mentioned that it has only been 6 hours since taking Ammox you have to wait for 3-4 doses as it takes affect on the bacteria and you will find relief. But visiting a Dentist and rectifying the course of the problem is the best and permanent solution.
hello. i’ve an infection in my tooth and abscess from it i’ve been on amoxicillin for two days and the swelling isn’t going down or the pain can i put hot or cold compress on it? always my tooth has been filed down and it’s open for the infection to come out of i have an appointment for the 1st of february next year to get root canal. is this ok to leave the tooth this long? i’m panicking thinking what if i get another infection later on my dentist said this is the earliest appointment he has.
I had root canal and crown put in more than 10 years ago. This past week, I had lots of pain on the tooth where crown is. Went to dentist on Friday. He says root canal did not come down far enough. Gave me antibiotics. Today is day 3 and the pain is just as bad. It seems unusual it’s taking this long for antibiotic to work. Could it be something else?
I had 2 teeth ground down thinking we were doing fillings then ended up needing a root canal but my insurance coverage was all used up by then so i had to wait until January when my insurance renews. Now i have major pain througout my upper jaw. lower jaw, left side of my nose and left ear. I went to see dentist but he would not prescribe antibiotics without more xrays and exam so i went to ER and got perscription for amoxicillin. next day pain was so bad i went in to my PCP and got vicodin to help with the pain but it barely takes the edge off and that’s taking 1.5 pills instead of just 1. i just started my 2nd day of antibiotics and can barely stand the pain it seems now that it’s also causing pain in my neck and the back of my head. is it possible the antibiotics are not working? is there a different pain killer that would work better?
Usually it takes 2-3 days for the Antibiotics to take effect and the infection depending on the tooth involved and the structures it is close to. The pain reduces once there is reduction in the Infection. So it might be a day or two when the pain is relieved.
In some Re-Infection cases it takes longer than usual as the bacteria present in Re-Infected Root Canals are usually very resistant. It also helps if GP removal is done and dressing given to relieve the pain.
Is the cavity of the tooth open without a filling in it? You can have Cold Compression but not Hot for Swelling or Abscess. If the cavity is open just make sure that there is no food particles getting stuck in the cavity. Usually we cannot leave the cavity un filled as it is a magnet for the food we eat to get stuck and leads to further infections.
hello Dr. I am 4 months pregnant. i’ve an infection in my tooth. i’ve been on novamox 500 (amoxicillin) and paracetamol for five days and the swelling isn’t going down or the pain can i put hot or cold compress on it? Dentist told me that root canal treatment will be performed after delivery. is this ok to leave the tooth this long? I don’t know weather abscess or not in tooth. Is there any other treatment in pregnancy because the swelling is not go away till 4th day of taking novamox 500+Parcetamol 500.
If the infection is not subsiding even after the use of Antibiotics, the first step of Root canal Treatment – (Access opening) can be done and the remaining steps can be performed after delivery. The time on the Dental Chair should be limited and also doing it in the mornings is preferable.
I’ve been taking amoxicillin for 3 days and pain killers consistently. I still feel pain if not using painkillers. I’ve got to wait 3 months for hospital referral to fill root canal at the top. Should antibiotics have tsken affect by now
Some times it takes close to 5 days for the Antibiotics to take effect and for your pain to subside, if some rare cases when even the Antibiotics do not help. Here in India we start with the 1st step of Root Canal – Access Opening and removal of the infected tissue and give a temporary Filling to help relieve the pain and complete the Root canal on a later date.