While Bactrim is effective against a range of bacterial infections, it is not typically the first-line antibiotic for treating tooth infections, which are often caused by anaerobic bacteria found in the oral cavity. These infections usually respond better to antibiotics that are specifically effective against the types of bacteria found in dental abscesses, such as penicillin, amoxicillin, or clindamycin, which are more traditionally prescribed by dentists.
However, in cases where a patient cannot tolerate these first-line antibiotics or if the infection is caused by a bacteria that is known to be susceptible to Bactrim, a dentist or physician might prescribe Bactrim for a tooth infection. It's crucial that the specific bacterial cause of the infection is susceptible to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for the treatment to be effective.
It is also important for patients to follow their healthcare provider's instructions regarding dosage and duration of treatment. Stopping an antibiotic prematurely can result in the infection not being fully eradicated and can contribute to antibiotic resistance. As with all antibiotics, it's also important to be aware of potential side effects of Bactrim, such as gastrointestinal upset, allergic reactions, and, in some cases, more serious effects like skin reactions or blood disorders.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of Bactrim for treating a tooth infection depends on several factors including the specific bacteria causing the infection and the patient's individual health profile. Dental infections should be treated promptly to avoid complications, and they often require supplementary dental procedures, such as drainage or extraction, in addition to antibiotic therapy.
In the event that you do take Bactrim for the treatment of bacterial infections, the MayoClinic recommends the following dosing protocol for adults: 1 tablet (DS tablet) of 800 milligrams (mg) of sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg of trimethoprim, 2 tablets of 400 mg of sulfamethoxazole and 80 mg of trimethoprim, or 4 teaspoonfuls or 20 milliliters (mL) of oral liquid every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days. Your doctor may adjust this dose if needed.
Disclaimer: If you have a tooth infection, you should always consult with a qualified dentist or healthcare professional for an evaluation and appropriate treatment recommendation.
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tammy Says:
I had a cyst on my behind that got infected..And took bactrim for approx. 12 days... It's ok now...I have a tooth that is broke off..And is not swollen or sore... But makes me very nervous....I wondered if the bactrim would have helped keep it ok when I was taking it for the cyst?
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Charles W. Says:
I suspect that anacardic acids would kill Streptococcus and Staphylococcus bacteria and other gram positive infections such as anthrax and maybe tuberculosis.
I have found that the anacardic acids in raw cashew nuts and maybe mangoes do an excellent job of curing an abscess from gram positive bacteria, which are the most prevalent cause of tooth decay and tooth aches. It is discussed briefly in the 2005 edition of Medical Hypotheses, 65; 289-292. Wikipedia discusses anacardic acids in: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacardic_acid.
I would like to urge you to explore making these medicines available in the pure form from pharmacies for a Streptococcus medicine or in tooth paste. This would have several advantages; 1. a variety of application methods would be possible, needles, brushes, swabs, sprays, and etc. 2. It would probably eliminate allergy. 3. It would probably be less expensive than cashews. 4. It would be easier to apply massively locally. 4. It would be easier to diagnose against the pathogenic species involved. 5. It would be more emotionally acceptable to the medical profession who tend to prefer chemicals over anything as amateurish as natural products. 6 It would be easier to control amounts. 7. It would be easier to carry it on camping trips, etc. 7. It would probably have an infinite shelf life.
Anacardics would be much more effective in killing decay bacteria than fluoride and without the dangerous side effects. This would be especially valuable since these medicines would probably prove to be valuable against other gram positive diseases such as acne, leprosy, Streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, anthrax, Listeria monocytogenes, Actinomyces naeslundi, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Streptococcus agalactiae, Propionibacterium spp, and maybe even tuberculosis as well.
Acute Streptococcus pyogenes infections may present as pharyngitis (strep throat), scarlet fever (rash), impetigo (infection of the superficial layers of the skin) or cellulitis (infection of the deep layers of the skin). Invasive, toxigenic infections can result in necrotizing fasciitis, myositis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Patients may also develop immune-mediated post-streptococcal sequelae, such as acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis, following acute infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcus pyogenes produces a wide array of virulence factors and a very large number of diseases. Virulence factors of Group A streptococci include: (1) M protein, fibronectin-binding protein (Protein F) and lipoteichoic acid for adherence; (2) hyaluronic acid capsule as an immunological disguise and to inhibit phagocytosis; M-protein to inhibit phagocytosis (3) invasins such as streptokinase, streptodornase (DNase B), hyaluronidase, and streptolysins; (4) exotoxins, such as pyrogenic (erythrogenic) toxin which causes the rash of scarlet fever and systemic toxic shock syndrome.
