I need direction about this, I need to have a #5 upper right side tooth extracted. I am supposed to have it removed in 4 days from now. I had an infection in the tooth back in Nov, over 2 months ago. The dentist prescribed E-tabs 500 mg for 7 days.

AFter 6 days, I developed Bronchitis, sinus infection and ear infection then my dr put me on Keflex 500 mg 4 x day for 27 days, plus I had to take Rocephin shots at the dr office 4 times , one a day for 4 days also special breathing treatments in the Pulmonary dr office. It was that or go into the hospital. Which I did not want to do, as I just got out of the hospital on 9/30 and had to take Vancomycin for 6 days IV at home Altogether I tool 26 bags of Vancomycin to try to clear up the MRSA infection caused by the wound at the heart cath site.

I just finished the Keflex 2 days ago and my dentist told me I still had some infection under the #5 tooth and told me I didnt need to be put on antibiotics prior to pulling the tooth, but would put me on them the day he pulled the tooth. My doctor advised me prior to seeing the dentist to ask the dentist to put me on antibiotics prior and after pulling the tooth. Well My dentist said seince I was recently on Keflew and finished 2 days ago I didnt need to be on any.

I disagree, my doctor told me Keflex does not treat a tooth infection, the dentist told me it was a broad spectrum antibiotic, and said the infection would not clear up until the tooth was removed. I told him my dr disagreed and he brushed me off. Also I dont know if this tooth is in the sinus cavity area or not. it is a #5 upper right side.

I dont know if I should contact my doctor and ask her for E-tabs 500 to take the 4 days prior to the extraction? I dont have a good feeling about this, but my friend has already paid for this whole procedure with his credit card.

The dentist wanted to do a root canal, but I couldnt afford it and instead is doing an extraction and they made an impression on my first visit. He toldme he was going to extracat and immediately put in the flipper that has been made for me. I dont know if that is normal, and in my case with infections lately, should I ask him to not put in the flipper and leave it open to make sure it will heal properly before putting in the flipper?

I am confused and concerned that the infection is still there. I dont know if that flipper should be put in directly after the extraction. Would someone give me some input??? I am really concerned about avoiding infection and concerned that putting in the flipper right after extraction might cause some kind of hinderence to rinsing with salt water, how would it get into the extracted area to keep it clean with a flipper in the extracted area, and also in the roof of my mouth.

I was told I would have to leave the flipper in place for 24 hours and then rinse. I need input about taking antibiotics (asking my dr to prescribe since the dentist did not) I also saw some poor comments about this dentist office who recently changed their name also and is now a llc corporation. I can not change dentists at this point, because it was paid for already. and I dont have any funds or ins to change. HELP need input!!

Hi Margie,

I think it's best if I quote you and then answer in << >>. This way it's easier to follow.

M: I need direction about this, I need to have a #5 upper right side tooth extracted. I am supposed to have it removed in 4 days from now. I had an infection in the tooth back in Nov, over 2 months ago. The dentist prescribed E-tabs 500 mg for 7 days.

<<E-tabs are not generally prescribed for dental infection unless a person is allergic to penicillin or clindamycin. So other than those reasons, I don't know why he prescribed that med.>>

M: AFter 6 days, I developed Bronchitis, sinus infection and ear infection then my dr put me on Keflex 500 mg 4 x day for 27 days, plus I had to take Rocephin shots at the dr office 4 times , one a day for 4 days also special breathing treatments in the Pulmonary dr office. It was that or go into the hospital. Which I did not want to do, as I just got out of the hospital on 9/30 and had to take Vancomycin for 6 days IV at home Altogether I tool 26 bags of Vancomycin to try to clear up the MRSA infection caused by the wound at the heart cath site.

<<Infection has thousands of strains of bacteria. Unless the infection is cultured, the doctor has to guess what antibiotic to prescribe. So some doctor/dentists go with a broad spectrum antibiotic but it may not cover the strain of bacteria causing any particular infection at the time. It is not unusual to get an infection elsewhere in the body while taking an antibiotic for something else due to the different strains of bacteria causing the different infections. ALSO, anytime you have been on an assortment of antibiotics in a short amount of time, you are susceptible to secondary infections because the meds destroy all of the good bacteria and they literally start to combat each other which in turn causes new resistant strains of bacteria. Why did you have a cardiac cath line in the first place?>>

M: I just finished the Keflex 2 days ago and my dentist told me I still had some infection under the #5 tooth and told me I didnt need to be put on antibiotics prior to pulling the tooth, but would put me on them the day he pulled the tooth. My doctor advised me prior to seeing the dentist to ask the dentist to put me on antibiotics prior and after pulling the tooth. Well My dentist said seince I was recently on Keflew and finished 2 days ago I didnt need to be on any.

<<Your dentist is hesitant to give you any more antibiotics and for good reason. At this point, you may be resistant to many of them and to give you something at this point may not only be uneffective but it could cause additional bacterial upheaval. What the dentist is trying to tell you about the tooth is this..... #5 is infected. It is not a question of taking an antibiotic to kill the infected tooth because the infection is not reachable by the antibiotic. Why? Because .... #1 It is encapsulated inside every nook and cranny of the tooth which means antibiotics cannot get to it and #2 It has spread beyond the tooth into the jawbone and #3 The infection in the jawbone feeds off of the infection inside the tooth. So the only sure way to eliminate the infection is to remove the tooth which is the source of infection.

I disagree, my doctor told me Keflex does not treat a tooth infection, the dentist told me it was a broad spectrum antibiotic, and said the infection would not clear up until the tooth was removed. I told him my dr disagreed and he brushed me off. Also I dont know if this tooth is in the sinus cavity area or not. it is a #5 upper right side.
<< It is not uncommon for dentists and doctors to disagree with each other simply because most of the time one does not know very much about the other profession..... which is ridiculous considering it all has to do with health.
Your dentist is correct in that the tooth needs to be removed in order to remove the infection. Keflex is used in dentistry with patients who are allergic to penicillin or clindamycin. People who have a sensitivity to Keflex can also have one to penicillin as well but not all of the time. Tooth #5 can be very close if not in the sinuses. Depends on your anatomy.>>

M: I dont know if I should contact my doctor and ask her for E-tabs 500 to take the 4 days prior to the extraction? I dont have a good feeling about this, but my friend has already paid for this whole procedure with his credit card.

<<E- tabs are not going to help and they may cause more medicinal resistance which is not a good thing because you may reach a point where no antibiotics are going to be effective. To give your body a rest from the antibiotics until the extraction is probably best even though you have an infection.>>

M: The dentist wanted to do a root canal, but I couldnt afford it and instead is doing an extraction and they made an impression on my first visit. He toldme he was going to extracat and immediately put in the flipper that has been made for me. I dont know if that is normal, and in my case with infections lately, should I ask him to not put in the flipper and leave it open to make sure it will heal properly before putting in the flipper?

<<At this point your dentist is following all of the common protocols for tooth #5 including the making of the flipper. It is not wise to leave the extraction site open because it makes you more susceptible to infection from debris getting lodged inside the socket. So the immediate insertion is best if that is what can be done.>>

M: I am confused and concerned that the infection is still there. I dont know if that flipper should be put in directly after the extraction. Would someone give me some input??? I am really concerned about avoiding infection and concerned that putting in the flipper right after extraction might cause some kind of hinderence to rinsing with salt water, how would it get into the extracted area to keep it clean with a flipper in the extracted area, and also in the roof of my mouth.

<<The infection is still there in #5 and it will be until it is extracted. Putting in the flipper right away will not hurt the surgical site or cause any additional infection. You will be instructed to leave the flipper in for 24 hours and then take it out and gently rinse with warm salt water. DO NOT rinse prior to 24 hours after the extraction as this will dislodge the clot and you will get a dry socket. DO NOT rinse with anything other than salt water especially any mouthwash containing alcohol because alcohol will dry up the socket before it is ready to heal. Do not be concerned about rinsing out the socket the first 24 hours because if you do, you will disrupt the healing process and cause a dry socket. Just leave it alone for 24 hours. Then take it out, do salt water rinses and continue to do that 4 times a day for at least 2-3 weeks post operatively. That is all you have to do to keep that socket clean.>>

M: I was told I would have to leave the flipper in place for 24 hours and then rinse. I need input about taking antibiotics (asking my dr to prescribe since the dentist did not) I also saw some poor comments about this dentist office who recently changed their name also and is now a llc corporation. I can not change dentists at this point, because it was paid for already. and I dont have any funds or ins to change. HELP need input!! [/QUOTE]

<< Ok, so I already covered the rinsing thing The antibiotics can wait until the extraction since it is within a few days. In the meantime, you can rinse with warm salt water a few times a day between now and the extraction appointment as this will act as a natural antiseptic. Then stop rinsing on the day of the extraction and resume rinsing 24 hours later. Again, please refrain from rinsing with any mouthwash containing alcohol at anytime now and in the future. Alcohol supresses the flow of saliva causing all kinds of irritations to the gums and teeth. The best rinse is warm salt water.

Margie, I hope this information has been helpful to you and at least gives you some sense of comfort. You have been through alot lately and your body needs a break from all the antibiotics. Are you taking a probiotic? If not, then it would be wise to start. One of the best on the market is called Culturelle.

Keep us posted on how things are going...... try not to feel so anxious... you are going to be ok

Bryanna