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Wisdom teeth extraction

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/23/2011 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
I got my wisdom teeth removed a couple of weeks ago. They prescribed me the antibiotic amoxicillin but I remember reading that it may be the cause of colitis in some. Although I already have ulcerative colitis, im scared that it may cause my flare to get worse. Is this even necessary to take? Im thinking about not taking it at all.
Posted 9/23/2011 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
I don't remember having antibiotics when I had my wisdom teeth removed. Mine were impacted. I did have an antibacterial mouthwash that the surgeon gave me. Perhaps you can ask about this option.
Posted 9/23/2011 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Thanx I'll ask. You know so much :)
Posted 9/23/2011 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
It's very important you take them to prevent an infection. I was on penicillin for about a week after I got my wisdom teeth out. I've taken amoxicillin several times and it's never affected my UC. Don't stop taking them unless your doctor okays it.
Posted 9/23/2011 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
I was on penicillin last time I had dental work, didn't affect my colitis at all. When I took amox the last time I did get a flare. Of course it's different for everyone!
Posted 9/23/2011 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
Thanx for the replies. Im just too scared to take it because this has been my worst year ever with colitis and I would at least like to end the year in remission. Im going to try to get some antibacterial mouth wash and maybe ill take the amox for a couple days only.
Posted 9/23/2011 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
Yes. It is quite common for dentists to prescribed antibiotics in order to prevent infection. It is also common for antibiotics to trigger a flare.

You really need to weigh the pros and cons. How likely is it for your gums to get infected? Can you get a milder antibiotic or something else that does not contain an antibiotic? Have you thought of using alternative treatments other than antibiotics?
Posted 9/23/2011 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
Don't be scared to take your antibiotics, you don't want an infection after having your wisdom teeth removed, it's important to take them...just take a good probiotic at least 2 hours AFTER you're done taking your antis for the day....probiotics are very beneficial for many of us and should be taken daily and indefinitely (flaring or not) and always at least 2 hours after antibiotics.


Good luck and feel better soon!
Posted 9/23/2011 11:29 AM (GMT 0)
Doctors these days give out Antibiotics like candy. I was given the some when i had mine pulled this year. I never took one of them. I held onto them just in case something went wrong but i was fine. They went right in the trash.
Posted 9/23/2011 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
I think it's standard practice (where I live) because getting your wisdom teeth out (especially more than one at a time) is like a surgery since they have to cut in quite deep to try and get all the teeth out so it increases the risk of infection....personally I'd rather take the antibiotics than risk getting an infection in my gums...but then again I don't have any concerns with taking antibiotics when needed because I take a good probiotic daily.
Posted 9/23/2011 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
Wait, you got your wisdom teeth out two weeks ago? So you were given the prescription two weeks ago, haven't taken any yet, and are doing just fine? If it's been that long and nothing has happened, my guess is you're in the clear.

Amoxicillin is pretty rough on the gut, so I would have discussed my concerns with the dentist and asked if you could take something more gut friendly.
Posted 9/23/2011 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I totally missed that, fruitgirl. If it was two weeks ago, I think you're probably ok, but probably should check with oral surgeon to be sure.
Posted 9/24/2011 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
My wisdom teeth were impacted, but the oral surgeon cut & stitched without any antibiotics-- that used to be standard practice. The patient is supposed to apply ice packs over the following day & rinse the mouth a few times daily with warm salt water. (Salt is a natural disinfectant.) I think you did right by not taking the dentist's Rx! Bravo! It is root canal work that requires antibiotics follow-up due to the presence of infection in the tooth's pulp, which can spread inadvertently while being removed. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 9/24/2011 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
My son just had all four of his impacted wisdom teeth out 3 weeks ago, you are not suppose to spit or drink through straws or it can lead to dry pocket (the gums where the teeth were removed have to clot in order to heal so gargling and spitting (as well as using a straw) are the worst things you can do.

After the first week when he went back for a check up, the dentist gave him a syringe and told him to put 3% hydrogen peroxide and spray the incision sights gently to clean them because by then of course, there was clotting so it was then safe to clean the areas.

He was also prescribes amoxicillin and pain meds as this is standard practice (where I live anyways). Any type of oral surgery where they have to cut in to remove teeth or root canals require antibiotics because the risk of infection is high due to those types of procedures...more often than not people will get an infection under those circumstances so it's simply a precaution, not bad medical practice on the dentists part but instead a standard.
Posted 9/24/2011 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
I actually had a root canal a couple years ago without rx. I asked if I needed antibiotics and the endodontist said no. I was fine.
Posted 9/24/2011 5:59 AM (GMT 0)
You shouldn't depend on probiotics countering antibiotics. Probiotics can help, but it's not a one-to-one relationship.

Some dentists prescribe antibiotics routinely for wisdom teeth extraction. Some don't. I know it's a little too late now, but one should ask their dentist his/her reason for prescribing the antibiotic. This goes for doctors too. Antibiotics used to be given out like candy. Some doctors/dentists realize the damage that can be caused by routinely taking antibiotics and no longer prescribe them like candy. Others still do.
Posted 9/24/2011 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
In essence though, the right kind (as there are many) of a good quality probiotic is very beneficial especially while on antibiotics.

Speaking from yrs of experiance, before I ever knew what probiotics were, I was prone to yeast infections (sure don't miss those days) and often I'd be on antibiotics and was guaranteed a yeast infection....this no longer happens since I started taking a good quality probiotic daily and therefore I have to attribute it to the probiotics, not to mention the probiotics have given some IBD relief on a daily basis as well, so they definitely can benefit while using antibiotics. It's key that you take the pros at least 2 hours after you're done with your antis for the day, that's where the difference is between the pros being affective or not while you're on antis.
Posted 9/25/2011 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
hey sorry guys, I meant a couple of days ago not 2 weeks. 2 weeks ago was when I had the xrays but idk y I put that. I decided not to take the antibiotics, I'm still fine, no pain. 4 days has passed and its still bleeding just a little bit. Nothing crazy enough to use gauze, it just when I spit, I see it a little red. I never had any swelling either idk if that matters. I didn't take any pain killers either just rinsing with salt in water
Posted 9/25/2011 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Good to hear.

Try not to spit for awhile.

A complication of wisdom teeth extraction, especially when the wisdom teeth are impacted, is dry socket. Spitting can result in a dry socket, which is when the underlying bone gets exposed to air and food. So it's best not to spit.

Post Edited (subdued) : 9/24/2011 8:55:38 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/25/2011 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
Good to hear. When I got mine out it didn't hurt too bad either. I used pain killers for the first day but I think after that I was fine.
Posted 9/26/2011 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
There's an "event" that can occur some yrs after wisdom tooth extraction; I never knew about it 'til it happened to me. Tissue grew from the gum where one of my lower wisdom teeth had been extracted decades back. It was a flap with a forked tip that really bugged my dental hygienist-- though it didn't bother me at all. After getting nagged by her for a while, I finally agreed to consult an oral surgeon about it. He excised it, gave me a stitch, then rechecked in a week. Biopsy results were fine. He said these growths are not uncommon, but I don't know anyone else who has had one. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 10/7/2011 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
Update: So its been 3 weeks and no infection or nothing! Although it left a hole in which food gets stuck in sometimes and I have to clean out after every meal lol
Posted 10/7/2011 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
That's good. Maybe the hole will heal over with time if it's not completely healed yet. I had mine out about 10 years ago so I can't really remember, but I don't have that problem so I'm guessing it will go away with time. :)
Posted 10/7/2011 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
I sure hope so, or I'll just use it as food storage like hamsters do
Posted 10/9/2011 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
Haha! Definitely rinse it with warm salt water daily. It should turn smooth when it's completely healed. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
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