The History of Dentistry
Why Take Antibiotics Before Root Canal Treatment?
Regina Carlson
If you need root canal treatment, then your dentist might prescribe antibiotics first. They might ask you to start taking the medication for a few days before they schedule your procedure. Why does your dentist want you to do this?
You Have a Lot of Swelling
If your tooth has a significant abscess, then you are likely to be in some pain. The area around the infected site will also be swollen and sore. The swelling might have spread into your facial tissue. If your dentist tries to do your root canal work now, then the procedure will be harder and potentially more painful for you. For example, excessive swelling will make it hard for your dentist to anaesthetise you effectively. If you have a lot of swelling, then your dentist might not be able to get a local anaesthetic in the right place to block nerves in the area. If you don't block these nerves, then your root canal treatment will be more painful than it needs to be. Plus, you might find it hard to sit in the chair for the duration of the treatment if your mouth is swollen and sore. You might not be able to your mouth open for long periods. Your dentist might also find that it takes longer to complete the procedure if they have to work on swollen areas.
If you take antibiotics before your root canal work, then you get help with your underlying infection. Your medication should reduce your pain and make you feel more comfortable. Plus, once antibiotics start to work on your infection, they will also reduce your swelling. Your dentist will find it a lot easier to get local anaesthesia in the right places. You'll get the numbness you need for a pain-free procedure. They'll also be able to work faster if they don't have to deal with swollen tissues.
Your Dentist Wants to Avoid Infection Spread
In some cases, dentists prescribe antibiotics before root canal treatment to help manage the spread of infection. Infections can sometimes move into the bloodstream during root canal treatment. This isn't a problem for most patients. However, if you have a history of heart inflammation or immune system problems, then your dentist might want to use pre-treatment antibiotics as a precautionary measure. Your treatment will deal with the infection before your root canal work, so you shouldn't have any problems with bacterial spread.
Keep in mind that antibiotics will also make you feel better if you have to wait for your root canal treatment. They will start attacking your infection fast and make you feel better generally. To find out more about root canal treatment, talk to your dentist.
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Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved stories about the past. Whether the stories were about horses, wars, exploration or even dentistry, I loved to hear them. I find that knowing the history of something helps it to make sense and feel approachable. I know that some people have dental anxiety, and I too have suffered, but I also feel like the more you know about dental work and its history, the easier it is. This blog is dedicated to exploring the history of dentistry – What did ancient people use for fillings? How did early dentists numb their patients? Who was the first dentist? Those are just some of the questions I plan to answer here. Ready? Okay, let's dive into the history of dentistry together!