Antibiotics
With the discovery of antibiotics, we have been able to control,
and in some instances eradicate, infections caused by a myriad
of bacterial pathogens. Unfortunately, over the past eighty
or so years of use, many common bacterial infections have become
resistant to the more widely used antibiotics like penicillin
and tetracycline. In fact, tetracycline is now seldom prescribed
for acute infections since it is no longer broadly effective.
In dentistry, penicillin is still the drug of choice, but
it too has become less effective. Penicillin may have become
less effective for two reasons: overuse and the common practice
of not taking all of the medication for the full duration of
the prescription. Patients will often tell me that they have
some "left over from last time" or from some other
problem. Patients usually stop taking the pills prescribed because
the symptoms have disappeared. Unfortunately, when a person
does not take the entire amount of antibiotic prescribed, some
bacteria are left alive in their system. These surviving strains
of bacteria are stronger than those bacteria already killed
by the antibiotic. With so much more "room" left to
multiply, they begin making the person a host for bacteria resistant
to the previously prescribed antibiotic. In turn, these strains
of bacteria are less likely to be killed by the next prescription
of the same antibiotic. If the person allows this to happen
again by not completing their prescription of antibiotic, the
body will now be host to extremely resistant strains of bacteria.
There is then a chance that the next application of the same
antibiotic may do nothing at all!
Therefore, it's very important to take the proper dosage of
antibiotic and to take the antibiotic for the full length of
time prescribed, even if you feel completely well. Taking the
medications for the full amount of time, usually ten days, will
ensure killing all the bacteria, both weak and resistant strains.
If you are currently taking an antibiotic, and have any questions
or problems you should the dispensing office immediately.
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