Why does pain in a broken tooth not subside with antibiotics?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have a tooth that has completely broken off at the gum level, and it has been in this state for several months. However, I have noticed that it has turned black and is causing me significant pain. Seeking medical attention, I went to the emergency room where I was prescribed antibiotics. I have been taking the antibiotics for a week now, but instead of improving, the situation seems to be worsening.

I am puzzled and concerned about why this is happening. Can you please provide some insight into this matter?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have carefully reviewed your complaint and the relevant details you provided.

Based on your description, it appears that the tooth is extensively decayed, and the dental pulp may be involved.
This decay and involvement of the dental pulp are the likely causes of the severe pain that you are experiencing. It is important to understand that proper dental treatment is necessary in this situation, rather than relying solely on antibiotics and painkillers.
Antibiotics alone will not resolve the issue unless the underlying dental treatment is addressed. They are merely an adjunct to the overall treatment plan.
The treatment options for your situation would typically involve either a root canal treatment, followed by post and core filling and crown placement, or the extraction of the tooth.
The decision between these two options depends on the amount of healthy tooth structure that remains after cleaning out the decay.
Therefore, I suggest you to seek the assistance of a dentist as soon as possible in order to receive appropriate treatment. Delaying the treatment could potentially lead to further complications and the possible loss of the tooth if it is currently salvageable.
For immediate relief from pain, I suggest you take Ibuprofen 400 mg orally every 12 hours for a duration of two days. However, please refrain from self-administering another course of antibiotics.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.