Today, the operation to remove unerupted wisdom teeth is a routine procedure in oral surgery. It often happens that after the operation there are unwanted consequences, such as swelling, pain and difficulty opening the mouth.
In order to prevent these unwanted complications, dentists resorted to antibiotics, so several studies were conducted in which the influence of these drugs on the appearance (absence) of unwanted consequences was examined.
In a study conducted in mid-2011, the influence of amoxicillin on the occurrence of postoperative complications after the extraction of wisdom teeth was examined. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the absence of complications in people who took versus those who did not take amoxicillin.
The authors therefore concluded that the administration of antibiotics is effective in reducing complications after the extraction of unerupted wisdom teeth.
However, the problem, which (especially in the last decade) an increasing number of doctors and dentists are aware of, is the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. Bacterial resistance occurs when bacteria reduce or eliminate sensitivity to some antibiotics.
In this way, bacteria multiply faster, which contributes to the faster development of diseases, thus creating the need for more frequent visits to the doctor, longer sick leave, as well as the use of more expensive and toxic antibiotics.
In rare situations, strains of bacteria can develop that are resistant to almost all antibiotics. Infection with these strains inevitably leads to the death of the patient.
The main reason for the appearance of such bacteria is the unlimited supply of antibiotics prescribed by doctors, as well as improper use by patients. This especially applies to patients who take antibiotics on their own and only while symptoms of the disease exist. It is precisely in this way that half-treated bacteria have the greatest chance of developing resistance to bacteria.
A meta-analysis, which included 16 other studies, showed that antibiotics with the first dose taken immediately before the intervention have the best results. However, the conclusion is added that antibiotics should be given only to those patients who have a risk of developing postoperative complications.
Therefore, the next time you think of taking an antibiotic on your own, consult your doctor first. Maybe even such an insignificant thing can save your life.
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