Pain Relief – Part 3 – Antibiotics / Medications
Myth Buster – Antibiotics are not painkillers. Not all pain is relieved by painkillers.
Here are some simple examples relief of pain medications that are not well known.
This can become very sensitive and even painful.
The moral of the story is the dentine is not meant to be exposed AT ALL to the hostile environment of the mouth, period!
Some are genetic, when the tooth enamel does not form properly or is missing. Other times it can be caused by underlying medical conditions, or through trauma.
There are underlying dental conditions such as grinding, dry mouth, and poor use of appliances, such as dentures.
However, we clever humans have multiple of other ways of causing this terrible neural response of the exposed dentine.
These include chemicals we ingest such as acids, sugars, caffeine, and smoking.
Erosion: the presence of acid from reflux or from external food and drink can wear away the outer enamel surface of teeth as well.
Even a toothbrush can be a weapon of tooth destruction.
So once the cause is controlled then exposed dentine can be treated.
A desensitising agent can be painted on to the surface.
A filling may need to be placed especially if the is extensive wear.
The main issues with antibiotics are allergies, effectiveness, possible side effects or infections.
Allergy
If you get a rash from a course of antibiotics, you need to let ALL health professionals and get it investigated. This could mean you are allergic to it. The next time you can go into an anaphylactic shock.
Effectiveness
Correct antibiotic for the infection, otherwise it won’t work. If it’s a viral infection it won’t work.
Possible side effects or infections
Antibiotics attack bacteria, however, in people’s mouths, fungus dwell as a normal part of the oral environment. With less bacteria around, the fungus can overgrow and become an infection of it own. The gut bacteria balance can be altered, causing intestinal complications.
The pain associated with an ulcer occurs with the exposure of the underlying layer known as the epidermis and the next layer the dermis. The pain stops once the outer epithelium has grown back to cover the exposed underlying layer. Treatments are aimed to reduce inflammation and to prevent bacteria taking advantage of the loss of the protective layer to invade the body.
Sometimes these ulcers can be so painful that patients think it’s a toothache.
At typical minor ulcer treatment would be applying, after drying the ulcer, agents such as Kenalog, SM33 or Bongela.
Sometimes a soft tissue laser can be used to relieve the pain.
An initial oral infection of herpes simplex type 1 can cause multiple ulcers throughout the mouth. A tetracycline mouth wash is often needed.
If ulcer do not heal in two weeks, then this would be viewed with concern and further investigation will be needed.
Each type of ulcer has a specific treatment and vigilance to ensure the underlying cause has been dealt with.
This statement is the most important concept that patient need to understand. Popping painkillers or taking antibiotics that you happen to have at home is dangerous without proper management. Pain is not the only indicator for treatment. No pain does not always indicate that all is well.
Need an Appointment?
If you’d like to book an appointment with the dentist at Seymour Dental then call us in Dulwich Hill, Sydney on (02) 9564 2397 or
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Pain Relief - Part 4 - Medications / Lesions