Testing Item for Dentists (Abx)

How can my dentist help
me Be Antibiotics Aware?

How can I keep my
mouth healthy?

Your dentist plays an important role in your
oral health. When you need antibiotics for
an oral infection or prior to receiving dental
work, it is important to take them exactly as
prescribed. Your dentist can talk to you about
when antibiotics are needed, what they do and
do not treat, and why you should not share your
antibiotics or save them for a future illness. Your
dentist can tell you about possible side effects
to watch for, such as Clostridioides (formerly
Clostridium) difficile (also called C. difficile).

You can keep your mouth healthy by:

When do I need antibiotics
from my dentist?
Antibiotics are needed for treating certain oral
infections caused by bacteria—especially if fever
or swelling is present. Antibiotic prophylaxis—
when antibiotics are prescribed as a precaution
to prevent infection—is sometimes used before
a patient gets dental work. Before having dental
work done, talk to your dentist about any drug
allergies or medical conditions.

• Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste
and flossing.
• Visiting your dentist regularly, even if you have
no natural teeth or have dentures.
• Limiting alcoholic drinks.
• Drinking fluoridated water, especially if you
have dry mouth.
• Not using any tobacco products or quitting
smoking if you currently smoke.
• Managing chronic conditions.
Talk to your dentist about good oral hygiene
and steps you can take to prevent infections.
Improving the way dentists prescribe antibiotics,
and the way we take antibiotics, helps keep us
healthy now, helps fight antibiotic resistance,
and ensures that these life-saving drugs will be
available for future generations.

What is the right way to
take antibiotics?
Your dentist can explain:
• What dose needs to be taken.
• At what times it should be taken.
• If it needs to be taken with food and water.
If your dentist prescribes an antibiotic, ask if it is
recommended for your condition.

To learn more about antibiotic prescribing and
use, visit www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use.

Do You Need
Antibiotics
From Your
Dentist?

What don't antibiotics treat?
Antibiotics do not work for oral infections caused
by viruses, cold sores, or fungal infections. They
will also not cure a toothache. Your dentist must
examine your mouth, determine what is causing
the pain, and decide if antibiotics are appropriate
for your dental problem.

What is antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance is one of the most urgent
threats to the public’s health. Any time antibiotics
are used, they can lead to side effects and
antibiotic resistance.

What are the possible
side effects of taking
antibiotics?
Antibiotics save lives. When you need
antibiotics, the benefits usually outweigh the
risks of side effects or antibiotic resistance.
Side effects from antibiotics can include:
• Rash
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Yeast infections

Always remember:

More serious side effects include:

• Antibiotic resistance does not mean the body
is becoming resistant to antibiotics; it means
bacteria have become resistant to the antibiotics
designed to kill them.

• C. difficile infection

• When bacteria become resistant, antibiotics
cannot fight them, and the bacteria multiply.
• Some resistant bacteria can be harder to treat
and can spread to other people.

9.5% of all antibiotics prescribed
in outpatient settings are
prescribed by dentists. In
2016, that totaled 25.7 million
antibiotic prescriptions.

• Life-threatening allergic reactions
• Interactions between antibiotics and
other medications

When antibiotics aren't
needed, they won't help
you, and the side effects
could still hurt you.
Talk with your dentist if you have any
questions about your antibiotics or if you
develop any side effects, especially diarrhea,
which could be a C. difficile infection. C.
difficile can lead to severe colon damage and
death and needs to be treated immediately.
Reactions from antibiotics cause one out
of six medication-related visits to the
emergency department.