Sometimes after dental surgeries, antibiotics are prescribed as a preventive measure against infections. This has been a practice for a long time, to ensure that patients recover from oral surgery as quickly as possible. But a new report from the ADA says that antibiotics should not be used as preventive measures against infection.
While it may seem easier to take antibiotics immediately and combat a potential infection ahead of time, this is not beneficial to the patient in the long run. Instead, oral surgeons and dental professionals should recommend over the counter pain relievers to manage pain post-surgery. This is due to the fact that antibiotics can actually lose their effectiveness if taken too often. Our bodies actually get used to antibiotics which results in an immunity that prevents them from working effectively. If taken too often, a patient will not be able to rely on them for treatment in the even that they have an infection down the line.
So, how should dental professionals determine when to prescribe antibiotics?
The ADA recommends prescribing them when the patient shows signs of an infection. These signs can include fever or malaise. The ADA also says that most of the time without a fever or swollen lymph nodes, dental treatment alone may be sufficient to combat an infection.
By keeping the mouth and teeth healthy and clean post-surgery or dental procedure, the patient is more likely to avoid getting an infection. The ADA also recommends treatments such as such as pulpotomy, puplectomy, and nonsurgical root canal treatments rather than preventive antibiotics for adults with healthy immune systems.
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is equal to a pound of cure – so schedule your wellness checkup with Miracle Smile today. Our offices are conveniently located in the Coral Gables area of Miami, Florida and in Plantation, Florida.
The avoidance of using antibiotics as a preventive treatment method is not limited to the dental industry. All healthcare divisions are moving away from the practice of using antibiotics as a way to prevent infections.
Dental specialists and generalists have been the third-highest prescribers of antibiotics in the United States. As a result, it is even more important that dental professionals and patients are aware of the risks of taking antibiotics to prevent infection rather than to treat it.