Why does my tooth still hurt after taking antibiotics?
James Craig
Published Jan 06, 2026
Even if antibiotics work and infection dies down, you will still have the tooth that's causing the issue and it will need dental work, to stop it from happening again. You might need a dental filling, root canal or even a tooth extraction, depending on the severity of the damage to the tooth.
How long does it take for tooth pain to go away after antibiotics?
Frequently Asked Questions. How long does it take for antibiotics to reduce swelling from tooth infection? In many cases, you'll start feeling better about two to three days after you start taking antibiotics for a tooth infection.
Why won't my toothache go away with antibiotics?
Why not antibiotics? There are several reasons antibiotics alone will not cure the infection. The blood vessels that once supplied the inside of the tooth with your body's antibacterial defenses have been destroyed. Therefore, the antibiotics cannot reach the inside of the tooth to cure your infection.
What happens if antibiotics don't work for tooth infection?
If the tooth isn't treated, it can cause the bacteria to enter the roots. The bacteria will then feed on your nerve tissues and blood vessels. This allows them to spread and multiply, wreaking havoc in your mouth.
Why is my tooth infection not going away?
Complications. A tooth abscess won't go away without treatment. If the abscess ruptures, the pain may decrease significantly — but you still need dental treatment. If the abscess doesn't drain, the infection may spread to your jaw and to other areas of your head and neck.
29 related questions foundCan I take a second course of antibiotics?
Accidentally taking an extra dose
Accidentally taking 1 extra dose of your antibiotic is unlikely to cause you any serious harm. But it will increase your chances of getting side effects, such as pain in your stomach, diarrhoea, and feeling or being sick.
What is the best painkiller for toothache?
What are the best painkillers for toothache?
- Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin) This is one of the most well-known and most widely used pain killers in the world. ...
- Ibuprofen or Ketoprofen. ...
- Acetaminophen or Paracetamol. ...
- Naproxen. ...
- Co-codamol. ...
- Diclofenac. ...
- Homeopathic options.
Will amoxicillin stop tooth pain?
Amoxicillin is one of the first antibiotics recommended for the treatment of a tooth infection. It has shown to be widely effective and have fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to other options. Antibiotics do not relieve pain directly, but pain may be reduced as the infection is knocked out by the antibiotic.
How long should antibiotics take to work?
"Antibiotics will typically show improvement in patients with bacterial infections within one to three days," says Kaveh. This is because for many illnesses the body's immune response is what causes some of the symptoms, and it can take time for the immune system to calm down after the harmful bacteria are destroyed.
Is it normal to feel worse after antibiotics?
While taking an antibiotic may make you feel like you're doing something to get better, it's not helping at all.” In fact, taking antibiotics may make you feel worse. Like every other drug, antibiotics can have bad side effects, including severe diarrhea and serious allergic reactions.
How long should amoxicillin take to work?
Amoxicillin starts addressing the bacteria that are causing your infection immediately, but you will not feel better immediately. Amoxicillin will typically help you to start feeling better within a few days. However, it may take up to 4-5 days before your symptoms improve.
What is the strongest antibiotic for bacterial infection?
Vancomycin, long considered a "drug of last resort," kills by preventing bacteria from building cell walls. It binds to wall-building protein fragments called peptides, in particular those that end with two copies of the amino acid D-alanine (D-ala).
Will an abscess go away with antibiotics?
Unlike other infections, antibiotics alone will not usually cure an abscess. In general an abscess must open and drain in order for it to improve. Sometimes draining occurs on its own, but generally it must be opened with the help of a warm compress or by a doctor in a procedure called incision and drainage (I&D).
Do antibiotics continue working after you have finished the course?
Will antibiotics continue to work after you stop taking them? Yes, antibiotics continue their antibacterial effects after your last dose. Some will last in the body longer than others. While doxycycline may take several days to clear, amoxicillin is excreted from the body more quickly.
What is the strongest antibiotic for a tooth infection?
Amoxicillin is usually the first choice for tooth infection treatment. If your tooth infection is more serious, your dentist may prescribe a combination of amoxicillin and another drug called Clavulanate. This combination is stronger and more effective against tooth infections.
Is 5 days of amoxicillin enough for tooth infection?
Although it is not very clear, according to the literature in most cases, 2-3 days of medication is adequate. However, when the treatment is not done properly, the antibiotic coverage may be needed for up to 7 days. According to the International Dental Journal study notes, most acute infections resolve in 3-7 days.
Can you take ibuprofen with amoxicillin 500mg?
Painkillers. It's fine to take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin while you're taking amoxicillin, assuming these are appropriate for you.
What do I do if my tooth pain is unbearable?
See your dentist or doctor if you have throbbing tooth pain. It may be due to an infection. Early treatment can help keep your teeth and body healthy. Regular dentist visits help to prevent serious teeth problems before they cause pain.
How can I stop my tooth from throbbing nerve pain?
How do I stop my tooth from throbbing?
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
- Floss gently to remove built up plaque or food in between teeth.
- Apply a cold compress to your cheek or jaw.
- Take an over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin can relieve minor pain.
Why does holding water in my mouth help my toothache?
The pulp becomes gangrenous, gives off gases, inflames, increases pressure inside the tooth, and causes a toothache. If you cool your tooth with water, the swelling decreases somewhat and eases the pain. There isn't enough room in your tooth for swelling and infection, so if left untreated, the pulp will die.
How long is too long to take antibiotics?
A growing body of research finds that telling patients to finish a full course of antibiotics even if they're already feeling better not only fails to prevent drug-resistant “superbugs” from forming, but also might make those pathogens stronger.
How long after taking antibiotics can you take them again?
Talk to your doctor about how long you should wait after taking the antibiotics before drinking again; in some cases, it can be up to 72 hours.
Is 5 days enough for antibiotics?
Researchers from the CDC point out that, when antibiotics are deemed necessary for the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis, the Infectious Diseases Society of America evidence-based clinical practice guidelines recommend 5 to 7 days of therapy for patients with a low risk of antibiotic resistance who have a ...
Will the dentist pull an infected tooth?
Will a dentist pull an infected tooth? Yes, dentists routinely do pull infected teeth. They do this all of the time.
Will a tooth infection come back after antibiotics?
Antibiotics will not cure toothache, they will only mask the problem until you have something done about the tooth itself. They may stop the pain for a few days, weeks or even months, but it will always come back with a vengeance!