Can Cefdinir treat a tooth infection? 

In this concise article, we will discuss the potential efficacy of Cefdinir in treating tooth infections. Additionally, we will address the duration of Cefdinir treatment for tooth infections, as well as appropriate treatments and commonly used over-the-counter medications for this condition.

Cefdinir is an antibiotic that may treat your tooth infection if it’s prescribed by your healthcare provider, however, it is not the drug normally chosen.

For infections in general, the duration of treatment with this medication varies between 5 – 10 days (1,2).

The appropriate treatment should take into account the type of bacteria causing the infection (gram-positive, gram-negative, or anaerobic), with Amoxicillin being the most commonly prescribed medication for tooth infections (2,3).

Some over-the-counter medications can be used to manage pain and inflammation associated with a tooth infection, but they cannot address the underlying cause of the problem (4).

Tooth infections are commonly associated with symptoms such as fever, pain, foul taste or smell in the mouth, and others (5).

You should reach out to your dentist if you suspect you have a tooth infection, who will prescribe the most appropriate antibiotic to resolve your infection.

Can Cefdinir treat a tooth infection? 

Cefdinir is an antibiotic that may treat your infection if it’s prescribed by your healthcare provider. 

However, it is not the drug normally chosen for tooth infections (1,2).

If you think you have a tooth infection, talk to your dentist, who will know the best treatment for you based on the type of bacteria that caused the infection. Don’t start taking medications on your own.

How long does Cefdinir take to treat a tooth infection? 

There are no studies specifically evaluating the treatment with Cefdinir for tooth infections. 

However, for infections in general, the literature indicates that the duration of treatment with this medication varies between 5 – 10 days,  depending on the severity of your symptoms. So, you may begin to feel a little better in approximately 3 days. 

However, properly taking your antibiotic is the key to treating your infection effectively (1).

This is why you need to take your meds for as long as your doctor has advised. You also need to make sure that you don’t pair Cefdinir with anything that affects its efficacy or causes unwanted adverse effects, like some medications Cefdinir is not compatible with or excessive use of alcohol.

Remember, the safe and effective use of medications is the key to achieving your desired therapeutic outcome. So, make sure you use Cefdinir only when prescribed by your doctor for infections it can treat effectively.

Always stick to the recommended dose and do not take the antibiotic more often. It is also important to check for the expiry date before you take this medication, as expired meds may not be potent enough to help you with your symptoms and can lead to therapeutic failure.

How to properly treat a tooth infection? 

Tooth infections are treated by antibiotics or antibacterial medications. There are tons of antibiotics and not all of them are effective against tooth infections. 

The appropriate treatment should take into account the type of bacteria causing the infection (gram-positive, gram-negative, or anaerobic).

Most tooth infections are caused by gram-positive bacteria. In such cases, only the antibiotics which are active against these types of bacteria can be used. 

In general, Amoxicillin is widely used in the management and treatment of tooth infections. Other antibiotics such as Doxycycline, Clindamycin, etc are also commonly utilized (2,3). 

You should reach out to your dentist if you suspect you have a tooth infection, who will prescribe the most appropriate antibiotic to  resolve your infection. 

Don’t start taking any medication without first consulting your dentist. 

What over-the-counter medications are used for a tooth infection?

Other medications can also be used along with an antibiotic to control the symptoms associated with a tooth infection, like pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like Naproxen, are widely used to manage pain and inflammation associated with a tooth infection. 

Your doctor may also recommend some dental gels containing Lidocaine or Benzocaine to numb the affected tooth and provide pain relief (4).

However, it is important to note that while these medications can help manage dental pain and inflammation, they cannot treat the infection, which is the root cause of the problem.

This is why you need to talk to your dentist to get a proper treatment. 

How to know you have a tooth infection? 

Tooth infections are commonly associated with symptoms like (5):

• Throbbing pain in your tooth 
• Swelling or redness in your gums, jaw, neck, or face. 
• Radiating pain in your jaw, neck, temples, and ears
• Fever
• Pain while chewing 
• Foul taste or smell in the mouth
• Others

If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, reach out to your dentist. A tooth infection should never be neglected and proper antibiotic treatment is necessary to protect your infected tooth from permanent damage. 

Conclusion

In this concise article, we have discussed the potential efficacy of Cefdinir in treating tooth infections. Additionally, we have addressed the duration of Cefdinir treatment for tooth infections, as well as appropriate treatments and commonly used over-the-counter medications for this condition.

References