Yes, there are many people in the world who need information, and really cannot immediately find help from a dentist, or any healthcare provider.  For example, when trekking in parts of the Himalayas (as I do each year), or in other underserved populations in the world, it is not  unusual for me to meet people who had a serious abscessed tooth and no hope of reaching or consulting with a dentist (until I met them) or other medical professional.   They are swollen in the jaw area, in severe pain, running a fever, have sore and enlarged lymph nodes, cannot open their mouths, etc.

Often, I find they have previously been given an antibiotic that is used for G.I. Problems, or an alternative medical therapy, herb, etc.  (Trekkers and guides often carry tetracycline or ciprofloxin for travelers diarrhea and that seems to be the drug most people on the trail know).  But, Ciprofloxin and tetracycline WILL NOT HELP A TOOTH INFECTION.   The wrong antibiotic will do nothing to kill the bacteria that cause a periapical abscess and they are certainly not the drug of choice for a periodontal abscess. 

          Antibiotics for Tooth Abscess: It is not unusual to see the pain of an abscessed tooth start to diminish precipitously after an effective antibiotic is given. (Most dental abscesses respond to amoxicillin, (For those not allergic) to the penicillin family--the alternative first choice is erythromycin) and for the few infections (around 10%) that do not respond, clindamycin is the drug of choice.  (In some cases, dentists will use clindamycin as a first choice but its side effects are a bit worse than amoxicillin.  Erythromycin can cause stomach upset.)

In this rare case, where you cannot get professional help, information on this site will be helpful, to say the least.   But, if you can reach a dentist,  (even by phone) or other medical professional, that is definitely better than using self diagnosis and treatment.  If you can reach a dentist, but you are avoiding or putting off dental treatment,  see my site on Dental Phobia.


Please remember that the information on these site is not all-inclusive and it may or may not apply to your personal situation. For dental advice you need to call your own dentist who needs to actually talk to you and examine you before giving advice or treatment. If, in your mind, you are questioning your dentist, get a second opinion, or a third ...
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