Do I have to take my anti-biotics?

Mari · 04-14-2012, 05:39 AM

Hi,

After a root canal Thursday, the endodontist gave me 21 Amoxicillin (500 mgs) pills. I am supposed to take three a day with food until I use them up.

The root canal was uncomplicated. I do not think I need to take the anti-biotics. What do you think?

I did not get a chance to ask the dentist. I did ask the tech and she said it was good to take them.

M

waves · 04-14-2012, 05:56 AM

Dear Mari,

Antibiotics are given as preventive measure against infection. they are usually recommended although not always given. The attending physician knows what is best in each situation. My take is since they were prescribed to you, it would be best to take them.

if you have not started them, you can choose not to take them, but you do so at your own risk (of infection), and contrary to explicit medical advice.

if you have taken ANY at all, it is a bad idea to stop. it is also a bad idea to suspend early. You should complete the full 7 day course of treatment.

I am sorry if it is a PITA, but it is only for 7 days. If it is any consolation, plain amoxicillin should be easily tolerable with food.

~ waves ~

Lara · 04-14-2012, 07:17 AM

Dear Mari,
I know nothing of your past medical history, (e.g. no Rheumatic Fever or heart disease?) so I would quietly and gently suggest you take them. Take some probiotics while you're taking the Amoxicillin.

mymorgy · 04-14-2012, 07:25 AM

I would take the anti biotics. also when I had root canals i found aspirin to be great for discomfort. I guess they reduced inflammation.
bobby

mrsD · 04-14-2012, 07:30 AM

If you ask on our dental forum you will get the reason.

Bryanna is anti-root canal, and posts that ALL root canals
remain infected for life.

If you believe that is possible take the antibiotics.

I have only used antibiotics for one root canal...the was long infected before it was done. My other two involved teeth that cracked due to pressure (small molars in front) and neither was swollen or inflamed. The dentist did not give antibiotics for either since I had them fixed quickly. The first one festered for years, because of a too deeply filled tooth, going sour.
If your tooth WAS INFECTED before the procedure, I'd take the antibiotics. If it wasn't, then I'd research the topic and decide.

This is controversial for sure, so I'd read Bryanna's take on it and decide for yourself.

Billions of bacteria are released in the body with each tooth cleaning and some immune systems cannot handle that.
A friend of mine's hubby just had a knee replacement, and now he has to take antibiotics with every cleaning, whereas before he did not.

Lara · 04-14-2012, 07:48 AM

There are many, many reasons.

How do we know here in this thread that Mari has never had Rheumatic Fever for example...

bizi · 04-14-2012, 09:46 AM

start taking them ASAP, you really don't want to risk getting an infection.
just my take
bizi I know that 3 times a day is a PITA. I sympathize with you.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

Mari · 04-14-2012, 01:18 PM

Hi,

Thank you all.
The tech handed me samples to take before I left the office on Thursday afternoon so I could start right away as soon as I got some food (she suggested a milkshake

). I got the 'script filled at CVS on the way home. She told me to take them until I am finished. That is eight days.
I am supposed to take three a day with food so I took two on Thursday, three on Friday, one today. . .
I will keep taking them until they are finished.

Thank you.
The Walgreens nearby has some Acidophilus that I will get.

M.

mrsD · 04-14-2012, 01:23 PM

If you don't take 3 a day, your blood level will never get stable enough to kill any bacteria properly. Keeping a low blood level encourages development of resistant organisms.

Mari · 04-14-2012, 05:04 PM

Hi,

Here is the link to the Acidophilus hubby brought home:

http://www.naturemade.com/Products/S...ts/Acidophilus

I think I am to take two a day with a meal.

Mari