What medications are good for treating pulpitis?
Generally, pulpitis is an inflammation caused by bacterial infection of the dental pulp tissue. Common symptoms include severe toothache, pain triggered by hot or cold stimuli, and nocturnal pain. Patients may take medications such as metronidazole tablets, ornidazole capsules, cefuroxime axetil tablets, amoxicillin capsules, and ibuprofen sustained-release capsules according to medical advice. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Metronidazole Tablets
Metronidazole is an anti-anaerobic bacterial agent that specifically targets and kills anaerobic bacteria causing pulpitis, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. It can alleviate dental pulp inflammation caused by anaerobic bacterial infection, reduce pain and discomfort, and is often used in combination with other antibiotics to enhance therapeutic effects.
2. Ornidazole Capsules
As a derivative of nitroimidazole, ornidazole has stronger anti-anaerobic bacterial activity and relatively fewer side effects. It exerts bactericidal effects by disrupting the DNA structure of anaerobic bacteria and is suitable for pulpitis patients resistant to or intolerant of metronidazole, effectively controlling pulp infections.
3. Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets
This medication belongs to the second-generation cephalosporin antibiotics and has antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive bacteria and some Gram-negative bacteria. It inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis, preventing bacterial proliferation and is suitable for pulpitis accompanied by periodontal infection or when broad-spectrum antibacterial coverage is required.
4. Amoxicillin Capsules
Amoxicillin exerts bactericidal effects by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis and is effective against pulpitis caused by susceptible bacteria. It is suitable for patients not allergic to penicillin antibiotics and is often combined with anti-anaerobic agents to cover a broader range of pathogens.
5. Ibuprofen Sustained-Release Capsules
This medication belongs to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and primarily functions to relieve pain and reduce inflammatory responses but cannot kill bacteria. It effectively alleviates severe pain caused by pulpitis, prolongs analgesia, and improves patients' quality of life. It is commonly used as symptomatic treatment in combination with antibiotics.
Maintaining good oral hygiene habits in daily life, such as brushing teeth morning and night, rinsing after meals, and avoiding excessively cold, hot, or sweet foods like ice drinks, hot pots, and candies, is important to prevent irritation of the dental pulp and worsening of pain.