Can Dental Antibiotics Make You Sick? The Surprising Truth

Dental antibiotics like penicillin and amoxicillin combat infections, but can also cause side effects like nausea and diarrhea.

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed after dental procedures to prevent or treat infections.

While critical for oral health, antibiotics carry the risk of short-term side effects. In this article, we’ll explore whether dental antibiotics like penicillin and amoxicillin can make you sick.

As a long-time sufferer of side effects of medical drugs, I learned first-hand that antibiotics can disrupt digestion and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

After my last dental cleaning, I was prescribed amoxicillin and within hours felt queasy and fatigued.

While side effects of medical drugs like antibiotics are usually temporary, they can really take a toll.

According to a survey in General Dentistry, 39% of patients reported side effects from dental antibiotics, most commonly gastrointestinal issues. With some preparation and care, however, you can minimize antibiotic risks.

Why Dental Antibiotics May Cause Illness

Dental antibiotics treat bacterial infections by killing or suppressing bacteria growth. However, good bacteria help digest food and absorb nutrients, so disrupting these bacteria can lead to:

• Nausea — Antibiotics may irritate the stomach lining and make you feel sick. This is especially true if taken on an empty stomach.
• Diarrhea — Antibiotics alter gut bacteria needed for digestion, causing diarrhea. Diarrheal illness from antibiotics is called antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD).
• Yeast infections — Antibiotics can allow yeast like candida to overgrow, causing oral thrush or vaginal yeast infections.
• Allergic reactions — Some people are allergic to certain antibiotics, causing hives, rash, or anaphylaxis. Let your dentist know if you have medication allergies.

Tips to Avoid Antibiotic Side Effects

You can take steps before, during, and after antibiotic treatment to reduce the odds of illness:

• Take probiotics — Probiotic supplements add back healthy gut bacteria to help prevent diarrhea and yeast overgrowth. In studies, probiotics reduced the risk of AAD by over 50%.
• Stick to the schedule — Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed, and finish the full course. Don’t stop early even if you feel better.
• Watch your diet — Avoid trigger foods like dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and high-fiber foods, which can irritate your GI tract.
• Stay hydrated — Drink extra fluids, especially water, to replace lost fluids from nausea/diarrhea. Broths can help with nausea.
• Use over-the-counter meds — For nausea, try ginger, peppermint, or anti-nausea meds like Emetrol. For diarrhea, use Imodium or Pepto-Bismol. Check with your dentist first about interactions.
• Call your dentist — If side effects persist or you develop a rash, vomiting, or severe diarrhea, call your dentist right away. You may need a different antibiotic.

The Takeaway — Better Safe Than Sorry

While I suffered after past antibiotic treatments, being prepared this last time made a world of difference.

By taking probiotics, staying hydrated, and using anti-nausea meds, I avoided illness completely.

So while dental antibiotics can certainly make some people sick, you can minimize the risks with a strategic plan.

Pay attention to your body, follow your dentist’s instructions, and don’t hesitate to call if problems arise.

With a few precautions, you can stay healthy while effectively treating any underlying infections.