How ignorance causes problems to our patients
Posted by Armi Cabero on Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Just today I encountered a reluctant patient who had an aching tooth with pus oozing out of his gums. To his belief, it was caused by brushing too hard on his gums and was reliant on taking antibiotics alone rather than having his tooth extracted due to dental decay. Upon examination, it was badly carioused and emitted a foul smell yet he is still convinced that it was his harsh brushing that caused the bleeding. With all my efforts, I told him how tooth decay can cause a foul odor smell that can lead to periapical abcess. I even showed him diagrams and told him that he can ask for a second opinion from another dentist to validate my observation. But to my dismay he looked more convinced that ANTIBIOTICS is a better option so I gave him what he asked for - a prescription for antibiotics to "TREAT HIS PIMPLE-LIKE INFECTION."
I felt sorry for the patient because I don't know how he can go on with his everyday life relying on a wrong notion that antibiotics heal tooth infections. I really wanted to say to him, please be reminded that ANTIBIOTICS ARE ADJUNCTS AND NOT TOOTH HEALERS! They only support the healing process but you cannot totally rely on its efficacy just because the swelling has subsided. Yes, it will subside for the time being while your body is absorbing the antibiotic but within 72 hours after the antibiotic has been flushed out of your system, the infection will exacerbate because you have only put the infection to sleep. Once it builds up again, the infection will come back with a vengeance.
I always tell my patients how antibiotics can help in the healing process, but never did I claim that antibiotics are the best choice for tooth infections. I have gone that road myself where I experienced excruciating pain in the wee hours of the morning because of a tooth infection and believe me, it was not a good experience.
I wish all our patients would listen more to their dentists especially when they have tooth problems. I believe dentists are the best people to seek advice from than pharmacists or any other professionals. After all, that is what we specialize in. When in doubt they can always seek a second opinion if they want to validate the diagnosis of the dentist. Besides, they won't lose anything just by asking, right? Ignorance is not an excuse nor should it be a hindrance towards health and awareness. Being aware only means that you are willing to make your life better by making the right choices and it does not exclude your oral health.
Until next time.
I felt sorry for the patient because I don't know how he can go on with his everyday life relying on a wrong notion that antibiotics heal tooth infections. I really wanted to say to him, please be reminded that ANTIBIOTICS ARE ADJUNCTS AND NOT TOOTH HEALERS! They only support the healing process but you cannot totally rely on its efficacy just because the swelling has subsided. Yes, it will subside for the time being while your body is absorbing the antibiotic but within 72 hours after the antibiotic has been flushed out of your system, the infection will exacerbate because you have only put the infection to sleep. Once it builds up again, the infection will come back with a vengeance.
I always tell my patients how antibiotics can help in the healing process, but never did I claim that antibiotics are the best choice for tooth infections. I have gone that road myself where I experienced excruciating pain in the wee hours of the morning because of a tooth infection and believe me, it was not a good experience.
I wish all our patients would listen more to their dentists especially when they have tooth problems. I believe dentists are the best people to seek advice from than pharmacists or any other professionals. After all, that is what we specialize in. When in doubt they can always seek a second opinion if they want to validate the diagnosis of the dentist. Besides, they won't lose anything just by asking, right? Ignorance is not an excuse nor should it be a hindrance towards health and awareness. Being aware only means that you are willing to make your life better by making the right choices and it does not exclude your oral health.
Until next time.
Dr Armi is past editor of Dental Asia magazine. After her numerous feats, she returns and handles a private practice in the country and is considered as one of the most respected dental professionals in the dental association.
Now she continues her editorial crusade as Editor in Chief of Dental News Philippines to help empower every Filipino dentist with updated knowledge and skills straight from the "libraries" of renowned authors in the world.
