Clindamycin for Teeth Infection: What You Need to Know
A tooth infection can turn a simple ache into an emergency fast. When amoxicillin won’t work or a patient is allergic to penicillin, dentists often prescribe clindamycin. It fights the bacteria that cause abscesses and spreading infections, but it isn’t a harmless quick fix. Know when it helps, how to take it, and what to watch for.
When dentists choose clindamycin
Clindamycin is usually picked if you have a penicillin allergy, or when the infection seems severe and needs a different antibiotic. It reaches bone and soft tissue reasonably well, so it’s useful for abscesses around a tooth or after oral surgery. That said, antibiotics alone don’t always solve the problem — draining the abscess or treating the tooth is often needed. If pain or swelling keeps growing, call your dentist right away.
Dosage, side effects and practical tips
Typical adult dosing by mouth is 300 mg every 6 hours or 600 mg every 8 hours. For kids the dose is weight-based, so follow your dentist’s instructions. Most courses last 5–7 days; sometimes dentists extend to 7–10 days for deeper infections. Always finish the full course unless your clinician tells you otherwise.
Common side effects are nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. A serious risk is Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection, which causes severe, persistent diarrhea. If you get watery diarrhea that won’t stop, blood in stool, or fever, stop the drug and seek medical care right away.
Take clindamycin with a full glass of water. Food can help reduce stomach upset. Tell your dentist or doctor about all other medicines you take, and about pregnancy or breastfeeding — clindamycin is used in pregnancy when needed, but your clinician will weigh risks and benefits.
Don’t assume antibiotics replace dental treatment. If your tooth needs a root canal, extraction, or drainage, that procedure plus antibiotics gives the best chance of a cure. If pain improves but swelling remains, follow up — lingering swelling can signal an ongoing problem.
Quick checklist: see a dentist for any swelling or fever, follow the exact dose and length prescribed, watch for severe diarrhea, keep your clinician updated on other meds, and get the tooth fixed, not just the infection masked.
Questions about clindamycin and your situation? Ask your dentist or primary care provider – they can match the right antibiotic and plan to your needs.