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.
I woke up with swelling due to an abscess on my lower left side. I have been given antibiotics. My face looks awful. Should I have asked the dentist to Drain it? I have several things to attend over the next few days and the left side of my face is huge.
My decayed wisdom tooth has caused Jaw Swelling. I went to a Dentist & pain wisdom tooth has gone but jaw swelling is still there.. I’ve been through this pain for 3 days. I’m 21 yrs old boy. What should i do? Root Canal Treatment or Extraction
I got my problem tooth pulled out, where the abscess are.
My dentist prescribed me antibiotics, today is my 3rd day drinking it, I don’t have pain anymore but still very uncomfortable, and my face is still very swollen.
Do I get the abscessed drained, or will it drain by itself?
How long will it take for my swollen face to decrease?
If you are not feeling any pain, the infection will decrease but for the swelling (inflammation) to come down it will take a couple more days. In case the extraction was Surgical it will take anywhere from 5-7 days for the complete swelling to come down.
Yes, if the abscess gets drained it would be healing faster and the swelling will come down faster as well. If you do not have time make sure to take the Antibioitcs regularly and apply ice pack regularly and strictly no heat application.
I had extraction 4 days ago from abscess. Pain and throbbing in ear and neck area with lots of popping still. I’m also still having a draining type of taste in area. Is this common? I’m starting to get worried. I was on 2 antibiotic types prior to extraction. I still feel it’s infected.
Hi Jama, if there is pain in the ear and neck region even after Antibiotics and Pain killers, it is better to get it checked as it might turn into a dry socket.
Dry Socket Symptoms – http://www.juniordentist.com/dry-socket-pictures.html
It is important to get it checked and get immediate attention.
I’m being treated for a abscess I have a bubble right side at the roof of my mouth I’m on zpack I have 2 days left I have no pain but I still have a bubble it comes and goes how long does it take to go away and should I be worried
I got a tooth infection and my left cheek is bit swollen and my dentist prescribed amoxicillin. I have pain and slight temperature as well ,after how many days to wait till getting better. Antibiotic is for 5 days.
The Antibiotic starts taking effect after a couple of days of use, the swelling starts decreasing after 3 days of Antibiotic use.
For the Bubble (Sinus opening) to disappear you need to fix the source of infection which is infected tooth – Root Canal treatment. The antibiotic just decreases the extent of infection and hence you are not able to feel any pain.
Hello,
I had a root canal done 2 weeks ago, at that time I had a very small abscess above the treated tooth. Right after the root canal the abscess nearly disappeared. But, it slowly started coming back. I went to my dentist this past Tuesday to show him my concern with the abscess returning. He prescribed Clindamycin 300mg 4xday. It is now Saturday and I still have the abscess in fact I feel it is getting bigger. I have been draining it daily. Is this normal? Why is the abscess getting bigger? When will the Clindamycin kick in?
7 days ago, I started having sensitivity in a tooth on my lower jaw. The tooth was next to the molar. I woke up the next morning with a swollen jaw and waited a couple of days before the pain finally sent me to the emergency room at the VA Clinic. The VA Clinic said they couldn’t do anything about the abscess tooth because I wasn’t 100% disabled. I came out of Vietnam, after 4 tours, in one piece, but had some health issues that created 20% disability. I called and advice nurse and was told to call the oral surgeon that was at the VA Clinic. I talked with him and he said it was very important that I go back to the emergency room and tell them to give him a call and that he would approve me seeing him. I did as requested and even though I live over an hour away from the VA hospital, I drove myself in extreme pain. I was told to report to the oral surgeon the next day at this address. I arrived the next morning I was put in a waiting room in a very nice facility. After an hour’s wait I was taken to an x-ray lab and had one x-ray taken to which a doctor finally arrived and told me that I had a tooth abscess. He said as a courtesy to me that they took an x-ray but he told me that that’s all they could do for me and suggested that I find me a dentist. This was after 5 days of pain. the emergency room had given me some pain pills and some antibiotics, amoxicillin, to start the healing process. But they said that that’s all that they could do. Now it’s Friday evening and I have to endure the entire weekend before I can start trying to find someone that could help me on Monday morning. The pain pills that they gave me were very few and was not strong narcotics because they said that they weren’t allowed to issue me anything stronger. The swelling has now fill the whole side of my face and it feels like there’s a lot of liquid and swelling in the loose skin below my chin. I have had off and on fever, chills, sore throat, ear ache and continuous pain. I do not have an open abscess there is no drainage but sometimes my jaw and neck feels like it’s going to explode. The antibiotics seem to help because the swelling has gone down a little but only a small amount. I have been reading up on the Internet about how and abscess affect seven major organs of the body, what I would like to know is, and I in a serious condition that would require me to seek help at any cost right now or can I have a few more days to locate a proper dentist? It’s been over a week now. I would appreciate any advice. Unappreciated veteran
It is important that you either get the tooth extracted (if it is in bad conditions) or get a root canal done if it can be saved. As the swelling is going down its a good sign. I am really sorry that you had to endure such pain for so many days. Are you a diabetic ? if yes, it can slow down the healing process and it takes time for the healing to occur.
It is a typical case of Irreversitible pulpitis with abscess which needs to be treated asap. The abscess keeps coming back until the source of infection is treated either by Extraction or a Root Canal Treatment is performed on the affected tooth.
I woke up the other day with facial swelling and soreness in my tooth. I guessed it was an abcessed tooth by the symptoms. I had amoxicillin from a recent trip to the doctor that I didn’t end up needing to take. So I started taking those. Along with ibuprofen and Tylenol for pain and swelling. I have to make a dentist appointment tomorrow because all dentists where I live are closed on the weekends. My face is still extremely swollen. My question is, will the swelling subside with the antibiotics? Or do I need to get the abcessed drained and a root canal done before I see any improvement?
It is best to get a Root Canal done, draining of the abscess is done when there is pus pooled up in the abscess. Visiting a dentist will clear things out, if the abscess is chronic the antibiotics will take time to subscide the infection.
I have a root canal that has failed. It’s has become a abscess and I’ve only been on antibiotics for 1 day. I get the tooth pulled in two days, is there a problem with pulling it that fast after starting antibiotics?
No that won’t be an issue, once the affected tooth is removed the source of infection has been permanently removed and hence there will not be any problem. The sole purpose of Antibiotic therapy is to bring down the bacterial colonization in the affected tooth.
I had root canal on my last molar 2weeks ago. Before the treatment my tooth a bit tender n some swelling end of root. After root canal, swelling goes away…
I went back second visit for permanent filling. After permanent filling, swelling end of root returning.
Doctor gave me antibiotic Metronidazole 200mg for 5days.
Now swelling go down agains.
My question is why is this happen? Swelling(abscess) go away after RC but come back after permanent filling?
Is antibiotic really work for my case?
Im worried the swelling will come back agains after I finished my antibiotic. I’m now second day of antibiotic.
Many thanks
Do you have another appointment of Root Canal left ? Antibitic helps in decreasing the infection and hence the swelling decreases, but if there are remnants of the bacteria left in the Root canal the swelling and infection can return.
Doctor ady put permanent filling on my root canal tooth. It considered complete treatment.
U mean to say that antibiotic only temporary cure my problem? My swelling go away now after antibiotic.
I’m wonder why after first treatment of root canal swelling go away, n me n doctor expect it ady ok; but swelling only returning when doctor put on permanent filling on second visit.
Now my swelling go away agains after antibiotics.
U mean my swelling will come back after antibiotic finish?
I had an abscessed tooth pulled out on july 20 which had lead to a sinus infection. I had been prescribed antibiotics today it has been 9 days but im still noticing a bit of a discharge is this normal or should I be concerned ?
What is the color of the discharge which you are noticing? and from where is the discharge seen? from the extraction socket or from the side of the gums above the socket?
Hi there, I have a rotten tooth that started aching a week ago. It started swelling on day 2. After 5 days, I went the dentist, and he advised I had an infection. He gave me a filling and some antibiotics. After 2 days, the pus drained out of the swollen gum. All pain is gone, and I have 2 more days of antibiotics. However, I am still swollen. How long will it take for the swelling to go down? I have a second appointment in a week’s time.
The Swelling usually takes around 1 weeks time to completely subside, make sure that you do not apply hot pack to the swelling site which might increase the swelling. As you are not having any pain and there is no Pus just wait it out and you can apply cold packs to the swelling region which helps in decreasing it.
My left side of my face is swollen from an infected tooth, so I went to the dentist which he gave me some antibiotics- Curam and diclofenac to take every 8 hrs n cold pack on swollen area. How long it’s gonna take the swelling to go down because am getting married Saturday
The swelling willcome down in a couple of days, follow the protocol and keep applying cold pack on the affected area. Make sure you avoid any hot stuff as it can increase swelling.
Happy Married life btw.