Baton Rouge Dentist

Archives for August 2025

How Long Does It Take Antibiotics to Improve a Toothache?

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Last week, I began taking antibiotics for a toothache. My dentist looked at my X-ray from May and said she didn’t see any signs of an infection or damage to my tooth. She recommended the antibiotics as a precaution. When should I expect to see improvement? My dentist didn’t recommend a follow-up appointment. What should I expect? Thanks. Edwin from IN

Edwin,

A new X-ray is necessary because your current symptoms indicate a change in your dental health since your last checkup. The previous X-rays, which were likely bitewings showing only the upper portions of your teeth, don’t provide a complete picture. A periapical X-ray shows the entire tooth, especially the root tip, where an infection would be visible.

What Diagnostic Procedures Should a Dentist Follow?

A thorough diagnosis involves more than just a visual check for a cracked filling. A dentist should perform several tests to identify the cause of the pain and determine the correct treatment plan.

  • Is the pain aggravated by tapping on the tooth? This simple test can indicate inflammation around the tooth’s root.
  • Does the tooth respond to thermal changes? A dentist should apply cold and heat to the tooth to assess its reaction. Increased or lingering sensitivity to temperature can signal a problem with the tooth pulp.
  • Is the pulp alive? An electric pulp tester is a common tool used to determine if the nerve inside the tooth is active.

Will Antibiotics Alone Eliminate a Toothache?

Root canal emergency diagram of five procedure steps
Root canal treatment (not antibiotics) removes infection from the tooth

Using antibiotics to treat dental pain only addresses the symptoms, not the cause. Antibiotics can help reduce an infection that has spread into the bone, but they cannot reach the bacteria inside the tooth itself.

Once the antibiotic course is finished, the infection will return, often with greater severity. Any remaining bacteria can develop antibiotic resistance, making the infection much harder to treat in the future. Therefore, root canal therapy to eliminate the infection, rather than just a prescription for antibiotics, is essential.

You can ask your dentist about a treatment plan or get a second opinion.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.

Too Much Bleeding During My Dental Hygiene Appointment

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I switched to a new dentist in 2024. The first two hygienists who cleaned my teeth were gentle. However, my dental cleaning last week was so aggressive that it hurt, and my gums were bleeding way too much. The hygienist said I had tartar buildup that needed to be removed to prevent the progression of gum disease. Why hadn’t anyone else mentioned this to me? Could I have gum damage from the aggressive cleaning? Thanks. Kirk from Dayton, OH

Kirk,

A quality cleaning primarily focuses on removing calculus (hardened plaque) below the gumline, which can’t be cleaned away in just a few minutes. Ideally, this process should take at least 40 minutes, with many skilled hygienists needing an hour to do the job properly.

While some dental offices might offer brief cleanings that leave teeth looking clean, these rush jobs don’t address the critical buildup beneath the gums, which can lead to long-term oral health issues if neglected.

Why Is Thorough Cleaning Sometimes Painful?

If past hygienists didn’t address the tartar buildup, it’s likely that a thorough cleaning will cause some discomfort and possibly bleeding. The accumulation of hardened deposits irritates the gums, leading to inflammation. Cleaning below the gumline to remove this buildup can trigger bleeding.

Though this can be uncomfortable, it’s a sign that the cleaning is working to remove the buildup and restore your gum health. After a hygienist removes the tartar, the inflammation will subside, and the gums will begin to heal.

Can a Hygienist Damage Your Gums?

A diagram of lower teeth and gums, and areas of early, moderate, and advanced gum disease
Image courtesy of Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, Thousand Oaks, CA

If plaque buildup hasn’t been properly removed for years by hygienists, it lead to gum disease, which may cause permanent damage to your gums and teeth. Chronic inflammation from plaque buildup can eventually lead to the destruction of the bone that supports your teeth.

Here’s what can happen if the buildup is left untreated:

  • Your gums may bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.
  • Over time, untreated tartar can lead to bone loss, compromising tooth stability.
  • Persistent gum inflammation caused by tartar buildup can lead to receding gums, leaving teeth exposed and vulnerable.

Was Your Last Hygienist Too Aggressive?

It’s unlikely that your hygienist caused permanent damage, but if she was too aggressive, the bleeding you experienced could be the result of soft tissue trauma. This kind of damage heals on its own without leaving permanent marks.

Your current hygienist has done a thorough job, so consider the value of letting her do your future cleanings.

 

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.