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How Long Does It Take for Amoxicillin To Work on a Toothache?

Contributors:  Simon Frers

Your dentist prescribed an antibiotic to treat your tooth infection, and now you're wondering how long does it take for amoxicillin to work on a toothache.

Depending on your symptoms, you may be suffering from a tooth infection, often known as a dental abscess. When bacteria affects the gum tissue or the area around the tooth's root, it causes a tooth infection.

An abscessed tooth can happen after dental work or because of poor oral hygiene. Toothache pain may vary from merely irritating to severe pain.

Tooth infections may be treated in a variety of ways depending on their severity, so it's crucial to get treatment from a dentist or specialist who can advise you on the best course of action.

Antibiotics, a type of drug that prevents bacterial development, are one method dentists use to treat tooth infections. The antibiotic amoxicillin, which belongs to the penicillin family, is used to treat a variety of bacterial diseases, including tooth infections.

Since you want to get rid of the toothache as quickly as possible, you may be wondering:

How long does it take amoxicillin to work on a toothache?

We'll address this, as well as other questions, in this article:

  • What is amoxicillin?
  • Is amoxicillin good for toothaches?
  • Does amoxicillin take away tooth pain?
  • How long does it take antibiotics to stop tooth pain?

We hope this article will clear up any questions you have about treating your toothache with amoxicillin.

What is amoxicillin?

Antibiotics are frequently prescribed to treat bacterial infections. Amoxicillin belongs to the penicillin family of antibiotics, which are very efficient in inhibiting bacterial development.

amoxicillin toothache
How long does it take amoxicillin to work on a toothache?

Amoxicillin is a medication that must be taken orally and comes in three different forms: instant release, extended-release, and chewable tablets.

It's commonly taken with or without meals every 12 hours (twice a day) or every 8 hours (three times a day), according to medlineplus.gov. Always take antibiotics as instructed by your dentist.

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Is amoxicillin good for toothaches?

Yes, amoxicillin will help in the treatment of your tooth infection. One of the first antibiotics advised for the treatment of a tooth infection is often amoxicillin.

how long does it take for antibiotics to work for toothache
How long does it take for amoxicillin to work on a toothache?

Let's take a look at the various damaging concerns before we talk about how long it takes amoxicillin to work on a toothache.

If it's only a small abscess, the dentist may perform a root canal to totally remove the infection and preserve the tooth. However, if the infection is very bad, the dentist or a doctor might say that the infection should be treated first before the root canal. This is accomplished by cutting a tiny slit in the gums and allowing the pus to drain. After that, the affected area is cleansed with saline.

How long does it take amoxicillin to work on a toothache?

Antibiotics work rather quickly to treat tooth infections and alleviate discomfort. If you follow your healthcare provider's advice, amoxicillin should take effect within a few days. However, even if the pain and swelling are gone, you have to finish your course of antibiotics as prescribed.

While you wait for the amoxicillin to take effect, your dentist may advise you to use painkillers such as ibuprofen to alleviate the symptoms. If a tooth is infected, a dentist may also tell patients that saltwater mouthwash can help.

If somehow the antibiotic medicine doesn't work, a dentist may suggest a root canal, tooth extraction, or removal of the affected tissue. Should you not feel better after a week or your symptoms are getting worse, get medical help from a medical professional.

How to use amoxicillin

Watch this video to learn how to use the antibiotic amoxicillin.

This is an informational overview video on Amoxicillin. It is available as a powder for oral suspension, a tablet and an injection. When to use it? Amoxicillin is a wide-spectrum antibiotic. Which means it can be used to treat thousands different types of bacteria. Therefore amoxicillin is mostly used to treat infections caused by unknown microorganisms, such as: An upper respiratory tract infection (like a sinusitis) An lower respiratory tract infection (pneumonia) An urogenital tract infection (Chlamydia) An gastrointestinal infection (H. pylori bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers); Infections in your bones (e.g., osteomyelitis, prosthetic joint infections); And lastly severe skin and soft tissue infections. How to use it? Swallow it tablet whole, with a glass of water. Do not chew on it or crush it. Or resolve the powder in half a glass of water and drink it. Always take it at fixed times: preferably in the morning and in the evening. This lowers your chances on forgetting a dose. Furthermore, do not interrupt or stop the treatment and finish it completely. What is the correct dosage? It is important to always follow the precise prescription your doctor gave you. Dose for adults and children 40kg: 250-500 mg every 8 hours 750-1000 mg every 12 hours In serious infections 750–1000 mg every 8 hours Did you forget to take a dose? And does it take less than 4 hours till your next dose? Than skip the dose you missed and take the forgotten dose at the end of your treatment. What are the side-effects? (10%): diarrhea. (1-10%): nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, skin reactions (such as exanthema and itching). (0.1-1%): Dizziness, headache, super infections. (0.01-0.1%): anaphylactic shock, convulsions, drug fever. Safety: You can combine amoxicillin with any type of food and even with alcohol. Don’t use amoxicillin if you are hypersensitivity to penicillin. Pregnancy and Lactation: You can safely use amoxicillin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. However, you should stop with breastfeeding, if you are using amoxicillin and you child gets diarrhea, candidiasis and / or a skin rash. – Disclaimer: this video is meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor. – Thanks for watching, and make sure to subscribe for future videos on medication and medical topics! Literature: 1: Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas. (2020). Amoxicilline. 2: Apotheek.nl. (2020). Amoxicilline. 3. Durbin K. (2020). Amoxicillin. * The images in this video are used for educational purposes only. Follow me on instagram: @HowtoMedicate Follow me on twitter: @HowtoMedicate Books I used In Medical School: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, https://amzn.to/2PFGidh Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, https://amzn.to/3inL6jM Human Anatomy & Physiology, https://amzn.to/2DHlHCT Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialties, https://amzn.to/3fU854s Oxford Handbook of Emergency Medicine, https://amzn.to/31LfMVg Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine, https://amzn.to/3ky73hZ Janeway's Immunobiology, https://amzn.to/3gLZW3e Atlas of Human Anatomy, https://amzn.to/3afFe9c Netter's Anatomy Flash Cards, https://amzn.to/2XSAMIN The House of God, S. Shem, https://amzn.to/31I7HAU Gear I use: Camera: Canon EOS M50: https://amzn.to/33SNMSn Microphone: Boya Lavalier Microphone: https://amzn.to/3aggLkc Microphone: Rode VideoMicPro: https://amzn.to/3amCmrh Computer: Apple Macbook Pro: https://amzn.to/33PDEtu

Can you buy amoxicillin for tooth infection online?

If you are unable to get to a dentist right now for a prescription, try using an online dentist service. Via text chat or video call, a licensed dentist can assess your condition and prescribe antibiotics or pain medication, if needed.

Denteractive is one such service, and their plans start from $14.99 if you wish to receive a prescription for amoxicillin for tooth pain online. Of course, they will only prescribe this if they deem it to be the most suitable treatment for your situation.

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Do be aware that antibiotics of any kind are only a temporary solution to tooth pain. If you do not visit a dentist to get the root cause treated, the tooth pain is likely to return.

Conclusion

Dental hygiene is an excellent way to avoid tooth problems. Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, have nevertheless become the first line of defense in the fight against infections.

Antibiotics are a common and safe medication for tooth infections, but they may have side effects. In rare situations, amoxicillin may cause serious adverse effects in some people, including an allergic reaction.

If you experience side effects, like swelling of the face, severe diarrhea, difficulty swallowing and breathing, or any other severe side effects, get emergency medical attention immediately.

FAQ

How long does it take antibiotics to stop tooth pain?

Antibiotics are effective in treating dental infections and relieving pain quickly. Antibiotics should start working within a few days if you follow your doctor's instructions.

Does amoxicillin take away tooth pain?

Yes, amoxicillin can help take away tooth pain that is caused by a tooth infection. Amoxicillin is one of the first antibiotics recommended for the treatment of bacterial tooth infections.

How Long Does It Take for Amoxicillin To Work on a Toothache?
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Contributors:
Simon enjoys writing informative content about dentistry. He has been a regular contributor to Dentaly.org since 2021, and partners with dentists to maintain the content up-to-date and accurate.
Sources

Medlineplus.gov: Amoxicillin. Consulted 6th April 2022