Amoxicillin Dosage for Infected Tooth
The prescribed regimen of amoxicillin 500 mg every 8 hours for 5 days is appropriate for this dental infection, though surgical intervention (drainage, extraction, or root canal therapy) must not be delayed and is the primary treatment. 1, 2
Recommended Antibiotic Dosing
The standard amoxicillin dosing for dental infections is 500 mg orally three times daily (every 8 hours) for 5-7 days, which aligns with the prescribed regimen. 1, 2 The American College of Dental professionals and multiple infectious disease guidelines support this dosing schedule. 1, 2
- Duration of 5 days is adequate for most uncomplicated dental infections when combined with appropriate surgical management. 1, 2, 3
- The FDA-approved dosing for adults with infections is 500 mg every 8 hours or 875 mg every 12 hours, depending on severity. 4
- Treatment should continue for a minimum of 48-72 hours beyond symptom resolution. 4
Critical Surgical Management Requirement
Antibiotics alone are insufficient for treating dental abscesses—surgical intervention is essential and should not be delayed. 1, 2, 3
- For acute dental abscesses, the primary treatment is surgical (root canal therapy or extraction), not antibiotics. 1, 2, 3
- For acute dentoalveolar abscesses, incision and drainage must be performed first, followed by antibiotics. 1, 2, 3
- Delaying necessary surgical intervention while relying solely on antibiotics is a common pitfall that must be avoided. 2, 3
When Antibiotics Are Indicated
Adjunctive antibiotics are appropriate when systemic involvement is present:
- Fever, lymphadenopathy, or cellulitis warrant antibiotic therapy alongside surgical management. 2
- Diffuse swelling extending beyond the immediate tooth area. 2
- Medically compromised patients or those with progressive infections. 2
- Antibiotics should NOT be used for irreversible pulpitis, which does not benefit from antimicrobial therapy. 2, 3
Alternative Regimens
If the infection does not improve within 2-3 days or is more severe:
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate 875/125 mg twice daily for 5-7 days is recommended for complex infections or suspected beta-lactamase producing organisms. 1, 2, 3
- For penicillin-allergic patients: Clindamycin 300-450 mg three times daily for 5-7 days. 1, 2, 3
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Prescribing antibiotics without surgical management for conditions requiring drainage or extraction. 2, 3
- Using prolonged antibiotic courses when 5-7 days is typically sufficient. 3
- Treating irreversible pulpitis with antibiotics, which provides no benefit. 2, 3