Antibiotics Don’t cure toothache! There are better ways to manage toothache & infection.

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE is one of the biggest threats facing the world today.

Unlike many things in medicine antibiotics work less effectively the more often they are taken. Antibiotics are not always the best way to manage toothache and dental infection.

TOOTHACHE CAN BE CAUSED BY MANY THINGS SUCH AS:

• Tooth decay
• Broken teeth
• Gum disease
• Abscesses or infection
• Jaw problems

HOW IS TOOTHACHE TREATED?

• A dentist needs to examine your mouth and decide the cause of the pain.
• Dental treatment may be needed, such as fillings, root treatment or sometimes extraction of the tooth.
• Pain killers can help – paracetamol and, if you can safely take it, ibuprofen. Both can be bought from pharmacies.
• Always read the patient information leaflet and check it is safe for you to take either medicine. You can ask your pharmacist for advice.

CAN I HAVE ANTIBIOTICS FOR TOOTHACHE?

• Your dentist will decide whether antibiotics are appropriate for your dental problem.
• Antibiotics on their own do not remove the infection or stop pain. Dental treatment is usually needed as well.
• Antibiotics, like other medicines, can also have side-effects so won’t be prescribed unless absolutely necessary.