Antibiotics are no longer offered to the same extent as it did before, and there is a really good reason for that. After widespread use of antibiotics, many bacteria have become resistant. It is estimated that up to 25,000 people in the EU alone die from resistant bacteria, where antibiotics have not been able to help them. If this development continues, we can end up in a society where one cannot be sure that antibiotics can help us from infections.
Antibiotics kill both harmful and good bacteria – therefore the immune system tend to be little fragile after antibiotics. But how quickly and to what extent, are the good bacterial flora subsequently are capable of recovering, is discussed vigorously.
Limiting the use of antibiotics
Since future generations also like to benefit from antibiotics, all healthcare professionals are required to limit their prescription of antibiotics. A national clinical guideline has therefore been drawn up by the National Board of Health in collaboration with the Danish dentists who dictate the use of antibiotics. Although you will no longer be offered antibiotics as often, do not fear you will not get it when needed.
Below you will find examples of scenarios where your dentist will try to limit the use.
Tooth abscess
A tooth abscess is full of bacteria and can be quite painful. Antibiotics have been used against it, which it still does, but new research has shown that antibiotics are not the best option always. A toothache can also be treated through normal treatments. For example with help from tooth cleaning or rootcanaltreatments.
Is it about acute cases where there is a risk that the bacteria can spread to the throat or down to the thoracic cavity, or if the abscess gives you fever or it has a size / location that makes it difficult for you to open your mouth, your dentists will still use antibiotics.
After an operation
If you are healthy and it is no major surgery, research shows that antibiotics are not necessary. Antibiotics are used for surgery if it is about elderly people, people with poor health, or if you are taking a lot of medicine. If it is a long-term or difficult operation (an implant) your dentist can also provide antibiotics regarding to reduce the complications of the healing period.
Parodontitits
By periodontitis an inflammation can occur in the surrounding tissue of the tooth. If this is not treated, the teeth end up being loose, and may eventually fall out as the connective tissue slowly fades in and loosens the attachment of the tooth. Although this inflammation is caused by bacteria, antibiotics are not used. Instead try to improve your oral hygiene. In very severe cases, and if improved oral hygiene does not help, antibiotics may be necessary.
Periimplantitis
This disease is almost the same as periodontitis, but instead of a real tooth, it is the supporting tissue around an implant that is affected. In these cases antibiotics are usually not given.
Bone-strengthening medicine
In the case of osteoporosis and certain cancers, bone strengthening drugs may be necessary to counteract bone loss. In jaw surgery or tooth extraction, bone death may occur in the jaw if you are taking bone strength medication. This decay of the bone can be painful and unpleasant.
If it is because of osteoporosis, the chance of bone death is very small, and the treatments will usually take place at your own dentist. However, the dentist may consider that you still need antibiotics if you have poor health or if it is a severe operation.
If you suffer from cancer, any intervention in bone should be done at the jaw surgery department in a hospital.