i have a bad tooth and think it is infected.it is causing pain and discomfort..should i use this antibotic?
Can I take ciprofloxacin for a infected tooth?it is 500mg?
Question posted by ervnoel on 22 Oct 2013
Last updated on 16 November 2022 by jrhodes20
13 Answers
jrhodes20
16 Nov 2022
My dentist would not touch my tooth until I had a round of antibiotics then he pullled it.
cjstahl
26 March 2022
I have an infection in my tooth, can I take ciprofloxacin
SamIAm805
29 Sep 2019
My Dentist always said we have to treat the infection first he would NOT WORK ON PULLING ANY TOOTH TILL HE GAVE ME ANTIBIOTICS then an only then he would work on my tooth!!!
Ynorynot123
24 May 2019
May I use the antibiotic for a tooth infection?
knowitallopiates
18 Sep 2018
Its not the best for a toothache Penicillin is best (Augmenten) but it cant hurt. Here is what Dr. Mark W. Helfand doesn't understand, I don't have dental insurance and my credit sucks so I cant go tothe dentist, my front tooth is broken off and so infected my gums are all swollen and I also have puss draining from the gums on the side due to a screw that was left in place years ago where a tooth was removed to "hold open the place" in case I wanted an implant done. The DDS just did it because I had insurance at the time and wanted to charge more well 6 years later its so infected the bone is rotting away around the screw and it needs to be surgically removed and whenever I gather enough money to go iin for more antibiotics i get told yep that needs to come out ASAP and the lowest it will cost is $900!! Im a single mom barely making minimum wage and cant get a better job because 18 years ago I made a couple mistakes that are on my record for life so my college degree is worthless! So do I just die because DDS dont give a crap? Sad what the country is.
Melissa8247
1 Oct 2018
I fully understand where you are coming from! I do not know what state you are in, but I know here in Georgia, we have dental schools that will help you at a very large cut rate. Maybe you could check the nearest city with a dental college and call them. It does take awhile to get in to be seen, but, and if you can keep the infection at bay and the pain down until you can get in, this may be a great option. I am suffering from a toothache right now, so I can literally feel your pain. I am not a doctor or even in the medical profession, however I am in the lower income bracket and I think I would take the antibiotic and pain meds, call the dental college and explain, in detail the urgency of the situation. This is just an opinion. I hope it helps you. I hate anyone to be in pain or in jeopardy of a bad tooth causing a major health issue. I will pray for you.
Moondog7974
20 Nov 2018
You can go to a dental college and get your whole mouth fixed they love taking people with unusual problems
MY SUGARBABY
9 March 2018
Yes
kmfb0329
24 Jan 2018
I was prescribed ciprofloxacin for a urinary tract infection but I also had a very bad toothache my back tooth broke probably because it was infected but I started taking ciprofloxacin for my UTI and it seems to be helping my back tooth as well as my UTI I am on day 2 of taking it and the pain and my back tooth isn't as bad before it was unbearable.
markdoc
24 Jan 2018
It is possible that the Cipro will treat both a UTI and a dental infection. It is very important that you take the medication exactly as the prescription says. Do not stop it early even if you start to feel better. When you do finish the Cipro, chances are your tooth will start hurting again. Antibiotic alone does not treat a dental problem. It can cure the infection, but it doesn't remove the dead tissue that got infected. Since the tooth is still in your mouth, the infection can come back. A dentist needs to permanently treat the bad tooth by root canal, extraction or other means depending upon how much tooth remains.
Dr. Mark W. Helfand
kmfb0329
24 Jan 2018
Yes I am still gonna see a dentist but in till my appointment it is helping. I definitely need fillings and or a tooth pulled.
markdoc
24 Jan 2018
That's very smart. Just continue taking the antibiotic and if the tooth still hurts you can add an over the counter pain medicine. Which one depends on your medical history. Good luck.
MaxnCupcake
8 March 2018
I am currently fighting a tooth abscess due to previous bad dental work. In the past 3 years I have become allergic to a few different antibiotics (going through 2 anaphylactic episodes) as well as other intolerance occurrences, so I have to take what I can. I am currently taking Cipro. I am on day 2 1/2 and my swelling and abscess size have gone down significantly. I rotate through OTC medications (like you do for infants with fever) taking Naproxen, Acetaminophen, and Ibuprofen. It is allowing for great pain management. I have been using Gingimed swish every night before bed. That also helps gum health and tooth sensitivity. Lastly, I am having several 4-6 oz glasses of Kefir a day in order to maintain a healthy gut. So far, so good. No intestinal side effects from the Cipro.
Nyfeeah
3 June 2018
Wow going thru this same scenario. I am glad I came here and saw this post,was just prescribed Cipro so it's a relief to know that it will be some relief soon from this pain from both of these ailments.
shell2013
19 Dec 2017
I would not each antibiotics can not be used for every illness. This is a potent drug so be hesitant before using. Read reviews here and call your dentist he will give right one.
mvega8282
19 Dec 2017
Ciprofloxacin good for tooth ache
Dollarshotshorty
3 Oct 2017
What is the answer to the question
Gordon0235
27 Aug 2017
I think u can
sharonpalmer61
19 Nov 2016
May I take cipro for infection in a tooth and will infection in a tooth make your eyes red?
markdoc
8 Nov 2017
You should never self medicate and never take someone else's medication. There are too many things that could go wrong. Infected, upper front teeth could cause your eye to become red if the infection has spread into your eye. If that us the case, you have a medical emergency and should go to an Maxilofacial surgeon or emergency room immediately. Depending on the severity of the infection, you could loose your eye.
Dr. Mark W. Helfand
Emeraldgirl
22 Oct 2013
Hello Ervnel
If ciprofloxacin was prescribed for this reason then yes it would be OK to take it. If not then you need to see a dentist. The infection is likely do be an abscess which the dentist will drain and then prescribe an antibiotics to clear any remaining infection if it is necessary. It you lightly tap the tooth in question and it hurts this can be indicative of an abscess. Taking an antibiotic alone will not treat the problem. First one must remove the infection and then take antibiotics if the dentist thinks that they are necessary.
Take care
mike121159
28 Feb 2015
Not true, I would never drain an abscess, tooth or gum. Infection can spread
the 1st step is antibiotics, in which I would prescribe ciprofloxacin
markdoc
28 Sep 2016
Emeraldgirl is exactly correct. Mike doesn't know what he is talking about. I know, I am a dentist. You have to drain the infection, then give antibiotics.
Tara1989
8 Nov 2017
What if you push on the tooth it doesn't hurt just when you eat certain things and there is a hole in the tooth
markdoc
8 Nov 2017
To Tara1989,
Dentistry is a visual and hands on type of practice. It is difficult to diagnose in this setting. The safest is to see a dentist. If a tooth has a hole, it needs at least a filling, but possibly more. Since there is only sensation when you eat, it is probably a cavity which can worsen over time. The sooner you get it fixed, the better.
Dr. Mark
Jordyn300
7 Dec 2017
What if it hurt when you touch it not the gum but just the tooth and you do not have abscess on it!!
Hawkman
7 Aug 2018
Not true you never drain the abscess first , you always treat it with antibiotics first and foremost. Those of you telling people it gets drained first are mis informing the public. If you are a Dentist then you need to go back to school and learn the proper way to handle infected teeth.
24kim
13 Jan 2019
Hawkman IS CORRECT I have had every tooth pulled due to decay except 12 in the past 4 years. three of them were abscesses, First you start with antibiotics, then the Doctor MAY OR May NOT drain it. If the Doctor/ dentist touches it or pulls it with the infection still there it COULD BE FATAL. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS therefore the Professional ALWAYS treats with antibiotics FIRST .
24kim
13 Jan 2019
Also, Markdoc is NOT A DENTIST, HE IS A LIAR. He should NEVER give misinformation on something this serious. I am NOT a dentist either, BUT I have had every tooth extracted in my mouth except for the last 12 and they are coming out AS SOON AS I can get to my dentist this week. Today is a Sunday, I have been in pain since Friday night and a ear infection has brought on the pain in 4 of my bottom teeth. Bad teeth AFFECTS your Heart eventually and the teeth need to be fixed or extracted so that you can live longer with a healthy heart. <3
markdoc
13 Jan 2019
To 24Kim,
I am a dentist, not a liar. You have to drain the infection and give antibiotics, hopefully at the same visit. If you just give antibiotics without doing anything else, the patient will still be in pain. Also, depending on the size of the infection, the antibiotic may not be able to overcome the infection. If there is fluctuant swelling, like a bubble) you pop it to drain the infection. If it's a specific tooth you open it or extract it. You give antibiotics and have the patient come back for definitive treatment after the antibiotic has had time to work. You would just give antibiotics without draining if the dentist didn't have time to do the proper treatment. Not a good idea.
Also, there are places to go to get dental treatment for little or no money. Dental schools and hospitals residency programs will usually take your income into account. At least they do at the dental school I went to in Kansas City and the hospital I taught at in New York. Now I'm retired. Good luck.
Related topics
pain, ciprofloxacin, antibiotics, tooth
Further information
- Ciprofloxacin uses and safety info
- Ciprofloxacin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Ciprofloxacin (detailed)
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