Management of antibiotics in odontogenic infections in pediatric dentistry

Odontogenic infections in children spread rapidly in various areas of the head and neck. That is why it is important for the specialist to take immediate action to avoid putting the patient's life at risk.

Antibiotic treatment in pediatric dentistry should be carried out taking into account the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the pediatric patient. The pediatric dentist must know the drug and the recommended doses to avoid adverse reactions or resistance.

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We share two videos on the correct use and management of the most used antibiotics in infections of odontogenic origin in pediatric dentistry.

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Pharmacological treatment of oral infections in pediatric dentistry - Recommendations and dose calculation

When the pediatric patient presents an oral infection, antibiotics should be administered with the objective of controlling the infection and avoiding serious consequences at a systematic level. The correct management of antibiotics is a challenge for many pediatric dentists.

In comparison, the metabolism of a drug in a child is different from that of an adult, so the administration of an antibiotic should be taking into account the diagnosis, age and weight of the pediatric patient.

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The article that we share offers us a review of the proper use of antibiotics in pediatric dentistry, considerations that we must take into account when prescribing antibiotics, and recommendations to calculate the dose in pediatric dentistry.

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👉 READ AND DOWNLOAD "Pharmacological treatment of oral infections in pediatric dentistry - Recommendations and dose calculation" IN FULL IN PDF👈

Monika Khoja, et al. Use or Misuse of Antibiotics in Pediatric Dentistry!!!. J Dental Sci 2019, 4(2): 000224.

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Odontogenic facial cellulitis in a pediatric patient - Diagnosis, treatment and multidisciplinary management

Odontogenic facial cellulitis in pediatric patients represents a potentially serious complication of untreated dental infections, characterized by the rapid spread of bacteria through facial and cervical soft tissues.

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Due to anatomical, immunological, and behavioral factors unique to children, these infections can progress quickly and may compromise vital structures, including the airway, orbit, or deep neck spaces.

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Early recognition and accurate diagnosis are therefore essential to prevent systemic involvement and life-threatening outcomes.

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Dental Article 🔽 Dental Abscess, Fistula, Cellulitis, and Ludwig's Angina: Differences, Symptoms & Treatment ... Odontogenic infections such as dental abscess, fistula, cellulitis, and Ludwig's angina are frequent but vary in severity and required intervention. Understanding their differences is essential for timely treatment and complication prevention.

This condition commonly originates from advanced dental caries, pulp necrosis, or periodontal infections, and its clinical presentation may vary from localized facial swelling and pain to fever, trismus, and systemic signs of infection.

📌 Read and download the article in PDF:

👉 "Odontogenic facial cellulitis in a pediatric patient - Diagnosis, treatment and multidisciplinary management" 👈
Giunta Crescente C, Soto de Facchin M, Acevedo Rodríguez AM. Medical-dental considerations in the care of children with facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin. A disease of interest for pediatricians and pediatric dentists. Arch Argent Pediatr 2018;116(4):e548-e553.

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Management of acute orofacial infection of odontogenic origin in children - PDF Guide

Acute orofacial infections of odontogenic origin in children represent a common yet potentially serious clinical challenge in pediatric dentistry.

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Dental Article 🔽 Appropriate Antibiotic Use in Pediatric Odontogenic Infections: Guidelines for Dentists and Dental Students ... This article provides evidence-based, clinically practical guidance for dentists and dental students on the appropriate use of antibiotics in pediatric odontogenic infections.

These infections often arise from untreated dental caries, pulp necrosis, or periodontal involvement and may rapidly spread through facial spaces due to the unique anatomical and immunological characteristics of pediatric patients. Early diagnosis and timely intervention are essential to prevent systemic complications, airway compromise, and hospital admission.

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Effective management requires a structured, evidence-based approach that includes accurate clinical assessment, appropriate use of imaging, judicious antibiotic therapy, and prompt elimination of the odontogenic source.

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In moderate to severe cases, collaboration with pediatricians, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and emergency care teams is crucial to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes.

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This PDF guide provides a practical and clinically oriented overview of the management of acute odontogenic orofacial infections in children, outlining diagnostic criteria, treatment protocols, and indications for referral or hospitalization.

👉 READ AND DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE MANUAL IN PDF HERE👈

Oral Health Division. Ministry of Health Malaysia. Management of acute orofacial infeciton of odontogenic origin in children. 1 Edition

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Antimicrobial therapies for odontogenic infections in children and adolescents

Oral infections are common in children and adolescents, and treatment must be treated in an effective and timely manner. Infectious processes occur when there is an imbalance in the patient's oral flora.

The use of antibiotics must be rational to avoid drug resistance of microorganisms (microbial resistance). Odontogenic infections can arise from caries or a periodontal problem, sometimes they can be due to dental trauma or iatrogenesis.

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We share a literature review that establishes guidelines for antimicrobial therapy in infections of odontogenic origin and clinical recommendations.

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👉 Read and download the full article in PDF👈

Antimicrobial therapies for odontogenic infections in children and adolescents. Literature review and clinical recomendations was published in J Oral Res 2014; 3(1): 50-56 (DOI: 10.17126/joralres.2014.013).

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Antibiotic prescriptions in pediatric dentistry: A review

In medicine as well as in dentistry, antibiotics are used as part of infectious treatments, but it is also known that there is a tendency to overuse of this drug for conditions not indicated.

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The consequence of this indiscriminate use of antibiotics is the appearance of resistance in pediatric patients (the ability of bacteria to survive the presence of an antibiotic).

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If we add to this the mismanagement of doses in children, we are facing a serious problem, since we create more resistant bacteria, this currently forces us to adjust the doses of medications.

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The work we are sharing with you is a review that aims to highlight the clinical indications for prescribing antibiotics for orofacial infections in pediatric care.



° Goel, Dhirja & Goel, GauravKumar & Chaudhary, Seema & Jain, Deshraj. (2020). Antibiotic prescriptions in pediatric dentistry: A review. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 9. 473. 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1097_19.

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Antibiotics and its use in pediatric dentistry: A review

Antibiotics are commonly used in dentistry for prophylactic as well as for therapeutic purposes. Very often antibiotics are used in unwarranted situations, which may give rise to resistant bacterial strains.

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Good knowledge about the indications of antibiotics is the need of the hour in prescribing antibiotics for dental conditions. The purpose of this review article is to provide information on proper use of antibiotics in pediatric dental practice for control of oral infection, and in the management of children with systemic conditions which may alter disease resistance and healing response.

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Introduction: Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medication for the treatment as well as prevention of bacterial infection in modern medicine. Antibiotics cure disease by killing, injuring, or inhibiting the growth of bacteria at very low concentrations.

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The word antibiotic came from the word “antibiosis” a term coined in 1889 by Louis Pasteur which means a process by which life could be used to destroy life.The term antibiotic was first used in 1942 by Selman Waksman and his collaborators in journal articles to describe any substance produced by a microorganism that is antagonistic to the growth of other microorganisms in high dilution.



° Annamalai, S., & Baghkomeh, P.N. (2018). Antibiotics and its use in pediatric dentistry : A review.

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How To Determine a Child's Medication Dose

Determining the dose in pediatric patients is sometimes complicated, this happens in both medical and dental practice. In pediatric practice medication dosages are calculated based on the child’s weight making the dosages much more precise.

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All the necessary data should be taken to be able to calculate the dose in children. Many take the adult dose as a reference, but this could lead to problems such as poisoning or drug resistance.



This video explains why and teaches you how to do it safely using a simple 4 step method. Thanks to the RN Kid channel that offers us a very simple way to calculate the doses in children

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Guideline on use of antibiotic therapy for pediatric dental patients

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms and potential for adverse drug reactions and interactions.

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These recommendations are intended to provide guidance in the proper and judicious use of antibiotic therapy in the treatment of oral conditions. The use of antibiotic prophylaxis for dental patients at risk for infection is addressed in a separate best practices document. Information regarding commonly prescribed antibiotics can be found in Useful Medications for Oral Conditions.

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Antibiotics are beneficial to patient care when prescribed and administered correctly for bacterial infections. However, the widespread use of antibiotics has permitted common bacteria to develop resistance to drugs that once controlled them. Drug resistance is prevalent throughout the world.

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In the United States, at least two million people are infected by antibiotic-resistant bacteria per year. Some microorganisms may develop resistance to a single anti-microbial agent, while others develop multidrug-resistant strains. To diminish the rate at which resistance is increasing, health care providers must be prudent in the use of antibiotics.



Souce: https://www.aapd.org/

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Ludwig's Angina: A Pediatric Case Report

Pediatric Ludwig's angina is a rapidly progressive cellulitis involving the submandibular, sublingual, and submental spaces, usually arising from odontogenic infections of the mandibular primary molars.

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Although uncommon in children, it represents a true medical emergency because bilateral soft tissue swelling can elevate and posteriorly displace the tongue, causing airway obstruction within hours.

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Early manifestations include fever, neck swelling, dysphagia, odynophagia, drooling, trismus, and a muffled voice. Young children may deteriorate quickly due to smaller airway dimensions and limited physiological reserve.

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Contrast-enhanced computed tomography helps define the extent of infection and detect abscess formation. Management requires immediate airway assessment, broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, hydration, and surgical drainage when necessary. Delayed treatment increases the risk of mediastinitis, sepsis, and death.

📌 Read and download the article in PDF: Ludwig's Angina. Presentation of a pediatric case



Simsek M, Yildiz E, Aras MH (2014) Ludwig’s Angina: A Case Report. J Interdiscipl Med Dent Sci 2: 226. doi:10.4172/2376-032X.1000126

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Secondary brain abscess in an 11-year-old boy due to a dental infection

This is the case of an abscess of a primary molar that is related to a brain abscess in an 11-year-old boy. The patient presented to the emergency for a headache and was discharged with a diagnosis of migraine.


In the article you can find out about the entire dental medical procedure that was carried out in order to determine the diagnosis and treatment of the child under 11 years old. We share the article by Drs Hibberd and Nguyen.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Souce / Image : Canadian Dental Association
Authors : Christine E. Hibberd , BA (Hons), DMD ; Trang D. Nguyen , DDS

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