Antibiotics Not Needed for Most Toothaches.

The American Dental Association has announced a new guideline indicating that, in most cases, antibiotics are not recommended for toothaches. This aligns with the ADA's longstanding antibiotic stewardship efforts and its pledged commitment to the Federal governments Antimicrobial Resistance Challenge.

Patients with toothaches often are prescribed antibiotics by physicians and dentists to help relieve signs and symptoms and prevent progression to a more-serious condition. However, the new guideline and accompanying systematic review find that healthy adults experiencing a toothache are best served not by antibiotics but by dental treatment and, if needed, over-the-counter pain relievers.

"Antibiotics are, of course, tremendously important medications': says Peter Lockhart, research professor at Carolinas Medical Center and chair of the panel that developed the guideline. "However, ifs vital that we use...