From the Guidelines
Amoxicillin-clavulanate is effective for treating tooth infections, and it is recommended to prescribe it at a dose of 875mg/125mg taken twice daily for 7-10 days, as it covers the mixed bacterial flora commonly found in the mouth, including beta-lactamase producing bacteria 1. This antibiotic combination is particularly useful for dental infections because the clavulanic acid component inhibits beta-lactamase enzymes, making the antibiotic more effective against resistant bacteria. Some key points to consider when prescribing amoxicillin-clavulanate for tooth infections include:
- The importance of completing the entire prescribed course, even if symptoms improve, to ensure the infection is fully cleared 1
- Taking the medication with food to reduce stomach upset
- Maintaining good oral hygiene to support the healing process
- Seeking immediate dental care, as antibiotics alone may not completely resolve the infection if there's an underlying dental issue requiring treatment, such as a tooth abscess that needs drainage or a damaged tooth requiring repair or extraction 1 It's also important to note that amoxicillin-clavulanate may not be effective against all types of bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and therefore, it's crucial to follow up with dental care to assess the need for additional or alternative treatments 1.
From the Research
Efficacy of Amoxicillin Clavulanate for Tooth Infections
- Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid has been shown to be effective in treating odontogenic infections, with a clinical success rate of 88.2% compared to 89.7% for clindamycin 2.
- A study comparing amoxicillin and clavulanic acid combination to amoxicillin alone found that the combination was more effective in reducing pain and swelling after oral surgical interventions 3.
- Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid is often used as empiric therapy for various infections, including dental infections, due to its broad-spectrum activity 4.
Comparison to Other Antibiotics
- A systematic review found that amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was one of several antibiotics used to manage acute dentoalveolar infections, with most regimens showing clinical success 5.
- Another study found that oral amoxicillin/clavulanate was effective in preventing bacteremia following dental extractions, with a significantly lower prevalence of bacteremia compared to a control group and an amoxicillin group 6.
Key Findings
- Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid is a viable option for treating tooth infections, particularly odontogenic infections 2, 3.
- The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid may be more effective than amoxicillin alone in certain cases 3.
- Further research is needed to determine the optimal use of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in dental infections, including the choice of combination ratio and duration of treatment 4, 5.