Baton Rouge Dentist

How Long Does It Take Antibiotics to Improve a Toothache?

Posted on by .

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.

Why Does Cool Water Relieve My Toothache Temporarily?

Posted on by .

I got four fillings 12 years ago, and two fell out. The fills that fell out don’t hurt, but one of the remaining fillings causes severe pain when I chew on that side of my mouth. Swishing my mouth with cool water relieves the pain but only briefly. Why would a stable filling hurt? Thanks. Braxton from OK

 

Braxton,

The tooth with the filling that hurts when you chew has symptoms of dying tooth pulp. You will need root canal treatment to save the tooth. Bacteria may have seeped beneath the filling, causing decay. As the tooth pulp dies, gases from bacteria increase pressure inside the tooth and cause a toothache.

Why Does Cool Water Decrease Tooth Pain?

Cool water decreases the gases released from bacteria inside a tooth and temporarily eases tooth pain. It is like the relief from applying an ice pack to reduce swelling in a sprained wrist or ankle.

You can get relief from root canal treatment to remove the infected tissue inside your tooth. After the root canal, your dentist will seal the tooth after replacing the diseased pulp with dental filler material. A dental crown will protect the tooth from further weakening.

Your dentist will recommend replacing the fillings that fell out. Checking the remaining fillings can prevent future concerns.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post.  Read how Dr. Perry strives to provide some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.