CDC UrgesYou To Be Antibiotics Aware (NAPSA)—TheCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages the public to Be Antibiotics Aware by talking with their dentists about when antibiotics are needed for their oral health. While antibiotics havea role to play, they should only be used when needed. Any time antibiotics are used, they can causeside effects and lead to antibiotic resistance. Dentists Can Help You BeAntibiotics Aware Your dentist will tell you if you need antibiotics for an oralinfection or before you havedental work. It is important to take antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Your dentist can talk to you about when antibi- otics are needed, what they do anddo not treat, and why you should not share your antibiotics or save them for a future illness. Si. In 2016, 25.7 million antibiotic preions wereprescribed by denthe UnitedStates. Possible Side Effects of Antibiotics Antibiotics save lives. When you need antibiotics, the benefits usually outweigh the risks ofsideeffects or antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is one of the most urgent threats to the public’s Whenantibiotics aren't needed, they won't help you andthe side effects could still hurt you. + Antibiotic resistance does not mean any side effects, especially diarrhea, Understanding Antibiotic Resistance health. Always remember: the body is becomingresistantto antibiotics; it means bacteria have developedtheability to defeat the antibiot- ics designed to kill them. + Whenbacteria becomeresistant, antibiotics cannotfight them,and the bacteria multiply. + Someresistant bacteria can be harder to treat and canspreadto other people. When You Need Antibiotics from a Dentist Antibiotics are needed for treating certain oral infections caused by bac- teria—especially if fever or swelling is present. Antibiotic prophylaxis—when antibiotics are prescribed as a precau- tion to preventinfection—is sometimes used before a patient gets dental work. Before having dental work, talk to your dentist about any drugallergies or medical conditions that you have. Always Take Antibiotics the Right Way Your dentist can explain what dose needs to be taken, how long theantibiotic needs to be taken,at what times it should be taken, andif it needsto be taken with food andwater. If your dentist prescribes an antibiotic, ask if it is the recommended antibiotic for your condition. When Antibiotics Aren't Needed Antibiotics do not work for oral infectionscaused bya virus, cold sores orfungalinfections. Theywill also not cure a toothache. Your dentist must examine your mouth and determine whatis causing the pain. Your dentist will decideif antibiotics are appropriate for your dentalproblem. Talk with your dentist if you develop since that could be Clostridioides(for- merly called Clostridium) difficile infec tion (also called C. difficile or C. diff), whichneedsto betreated immediately. C.difficile can lead to severe colon dam- age and death. Reactions from antibiotics cause one out of six medication-related visits to the emergency department. Other side effects from antibiotics caninclude: + Rash + Dizziness + Nausea Yeastinfections + Life-threatening allergic reactions Keep Your Mouth Healthy You can keep your mouthhealthyby: + Brushing yourteeth with a fluoride toothpaste andflossing + Visiting your dentist regularly, even if you have no natural teeth or have dentures + Limiting alcoholic drinks + Drinkingfluoridated water, especially ifyou have dry mouth + Not using any tobacco products or quitting smoking if you currently smoke + Managingchronic conditions Improving the waydentists prescribe antibiotics, and the way we take antibi- otics, helps keep us healthy now, helps fight antibiotic resistance, and ensures that these lifesaving drugs will be available for future generations. Learn more about antibiotic pre- scribing and use at www.cde.gov/ antibiotic-use.
