Top 10 antibiotics for dental infection

November 27, 2021

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10. Rodogyl

 

Rodogyl is a trade mark of antibiotic used for dental infections. Rodogyl works better for soft tissue gum infections caused by debris retention and subsequent gingivitis and initial stages of gum disease. It is often prescribed by dentists after tartar removal and full mouth debridement. Rodogyl is not a generic antibiotic but a trade mark which combines two generic antibiotics - Metronidazole and Spiramycin. This combination proves to be extremely effective in fighting gum tissue infections and gum abscess. Rodogyl is not available in every country across and world because there are other alternatives. Let’s have a look at the rest of antibiotics, which best work for dental infections and tooth/gum abscesses.

 

9. Levofloxacin

 

Levofloxacin is the generic name of the brand Levaquin. It is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, meaning that it can be used against unwanted or harmful bacteria in your body. Besides treating tooth infections, Levofloxacin can also be used to treat other bacterial infections, such as different types of plague, which although rare these days, still sometimes shows up.

 

This antibiotic is at the bottom of our list because it can cause serious or even disabling side effects. It should only be used for infections in cases where a safer antibiotic cannot be used to treat the infection.

 

Levofloxacin can cause serious side effects such as mood changes, behavioral changes, problems with tendons, damage to nerves and low blood sugar. You should stop using Levofloxacin for your tooth infection if you experience memory problems, suicidal thoughts, joint pain, numbness, extreme hunger, headache, confusion or tingling.

 

As mentioned above, one of the side effects is tendon problems. So if you experience pain, stiffness, tenderness, swelling or bruising of any tendons or joints, make sure to stop taking this antibiotic and contact a medical professional for help.

 

How to take Levofloxacin

 

Only take this antibiotic as prescribed by your doctor. As long as it doesn’t contradict what your doctor says, you should also follow these guidelines:

 

• Take with water
• Take at the same time each day
• Drink more water than you normally wood
• It may be taken with or without food
• Liquid levofloxacin should be taken on an empty stomach
• Measure liquid carefully
• Use this medicine for the entire prescribed time, even if your symptoms go away

 

8. Erythromycin

 

Erythromycin is part of the drug group macrolide antibiotics. These antibiotics slow the growth of bacteria, and are sometimes able to kill bacteria. They do this by inhibiting the production of proteins that bacteria need in order to survive.

This drug is not at the top of our antibiotic list for dental infections, as it has some dangerous side effects, and is only prescribed when the more common antibiotics for tooth infections aren’t a treatment possibility. Some side effects include:

 

• Persistent diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Fainting

 

You shouldn’t take Erythromycin if you also take ergotamine or cisapride. And you should tell your doctor if you have low levels of potassium, Long QT syndrome or liver disease before taking this drug.

 

How to take Erythromycin

If your dental infection is quite severe, this drug may be administered via veins. However, for less severe infections, it may come as a liquid or a tablet. If it is a liquid, make sure to shake the solution before measuring your dose.

7. Azithromycin

 

Azithromycin is effective against many different types of bacteria, and helps to stop the growth of these bacteria. For this reason, it can be successful in fighting and treating certain tooth infections. However, it is normally only used to treat dental infections when penicillin and clindamycin can’t be taken.

 

Some of the side effects you may experience from taking this medicine include:

 

• Upset stomach
• Eye problems
• Muscle weakness
• Jaundice

As with all medicines, contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects.

 

How to take Azithromycin

 

This drug is normally taken orally, once a day. You can take it with or without food, but follow your doctor’s instructions. While taking this drug, don’t take antacids with aluminum or magnesium, as these may decrease absorption.

 

6. Metronidazole

 

This antibiotic may be prescribed to treat your dental infection, but it isn’t generally a doctor’s first choice.

 

This drug may have serious side effects including:

• Fever
• Bruising
• Painful urination
• Seizures

• Vision changes

 

How to take Metronidazole

 

This drug should be taken by mouth with or without food. Take it with food if you find you have an upset stomach after taking it. Even if your symptoms go away quickly, keep taking this drug until treatment time is completed.

 

5. Ciprofloxacin

 

Ciprofloxacin is a very commonly prescribed antibiotic for endodontic infections. It has been proved effective against aerobic organisms, such as those that are found in staph infections, and oral anaerobes. This drug is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, and besides tooth infections, can be used to treat sinus infections and STDs.

 

Some side effects of this drug include but are not limited to:

 

• Headache
• Increased hunger
• Paranoia
• Confusion

 

How to take Ciprofloxacin

 

This medication can be taken with or without food, so follow the instructions from your doctor. It is normally taken twice a day, and normally in a liquid form. As it is in a liquid form, make sure to shake the solution before pouring a dose. Additionally, foods with a high content of calcium may decrease the effects of this drug. Ask your doctor if you should avoid dairy products while taking this medication.

 

4. Cephalexin

 

Cephalexin is part of a class of drugs called cephalosporins. These drugs are used to get rid of infections caused by bacteria, and cephalexin can be prescribed to treat tooth abscess and gum infections. If you are allergic to penicillin or other antibiotics, you may also be allergic to this antibiotic, and will need to take another one for your dental infection.

 

Before taking this drug for a dental infection, let your physician know if you have an allergy to penicillin or cephalosporins, kidney disease, intestinal problems or are taking blood thinners.

 

Some side effects include but are not limited to:

 

• Stomach pain
• Jaundice
• Bruising
• Fever

 

If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking this drug and call your physician.

 

How to take Cephalexin

 

If you are taking a liquid form of cephalexin, you should shake before measuring. Don’t skip any doses and take for the prescribed amount of time. If you miss a dose, take the missed dose when you remember.

 

3. Doxycycline

 

In the world of dental infections, doxycycline is most often used to treat periodontitis, or gum disease. Outside of your mouth, it can also be used to treat acne, UT infections, eye infections and some STDs as well.

 

This antibiotic shouldn’t be taken for a tooth infection if you have allergies to antibiotics in the tetracycline class. It also shouldn’t be administered to children under eight years of age, unless it is a life or death situation and no other antibiotic is available, for it may turn your child’s teeth a severe shade of grey or yellow.

 

Before you take doxycycline, you should let your doctor know if you have or have had asthma, liver or kidney disease, pressure inside your skull or are also taking blood thinners, seizure medicines or isotretinoin.

 

How to take doxycycline

 

When taking doxycycline for a dental infection, take it with a glass of water, and make sure to keep hydrated through the course of treatment. If you find that you get an upset stomach upon taking it, you can also take it with food or milk, unless the label says otherwise.

 

2. Clindamycin

 

This is another drug commonly prescribed for odontogenic (dental) infections. In fact, it is generally considered the second option if a drug from the penicillin class isn’t appropriate for a patient, usually due to allergies.

 

Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you have Crohn’s disease, eczema, liver disease or asthma. Side effects of this drug include nausea vomiting and diarrhea. You may also experience heartburn, jaundice and joint pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure to tell your doctor immediately.

 

How to take Clindamycin

 

This medication is normally taken by mouth every 6 hours, but of course, first you should follow your doctor’s instructions.

 

1. Amoxicillin

 

Amoxicillin is number one on our list for the best antibiotics to use for a dental infection. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic from the penicillin class, which are the most commonly used antibiotics for tooth infections. Besides just treating dental infections, it is used to treat other oral and throat infections as well, such as tonsillitis and bronchitis.

 

You should not use Amoxicillin if you are allergic to any of the penicillin class antibiotics. This includes amoxicillin, ampicillin, dicloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin and actually many more.

 

One of the main side effects of Amoxicillin is diarrhea. If there is blood in your diarrhea, stop taking amoxicillin for your dental infection and call your doctor immediately.

 

You should also let your doctor know if you have asthma, mono, or liver or kidney disease before being prescribed this antibiotic.

 

How to take Amoxicillin

 

As with all of the antibiotics on this list, or off this list for that matter, you should only take Amoxicillin for your tooth infection as prescribed by your doctor.

 

In addition to following your doctor’s instructions, and as long as it doesn’t contradict your doctor’s instructions, you should also follow these guidelines:

 

• Take amoxicillin at the same time every day
• Take it with food, or soon after eating
• If it’s in liquid form, you may be instructed on the label to shake it before measuring a dosage
• Do not crush an extended-release tablet
• Chew chewable tablets before swallowing

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