Antibiotic therapy in pediatric dentistry

Abstract

Introduction: Antibiotics in pediatric dentistry are drugs used to prevent and treat bacterial infections in children.Objective: To analyze the most recent literature on the use of antibiotic therapy in pediatric dentistry, its use in dental infections, dental traumatology, and facial cellulitis and as antibiotic prophylaxis. Methodology: Articles on the use of antibiotic therapy in pediatric dentistry were analyzed in the databases PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar with emphasis on the last 5 years. The keywords used were: "antibiotics", "dental infection", "dental traumatology", "facial cellulitis", and "antibiotic prophylaxis". Results: The use of antibiotics in dental infections is only indicated when there are systemic signs of infection, in dental traumatology they are only recommended in cases of avulsion of permanent teeth and in lesions that may have been contaminated, they are also recommended in cases of facial cellulitis and as antibiotic prophylaxis in immunosuppressed patients or those with systemic diseases. Conclusion: Nowadays the use of antibiotics in pediatric patients is very controversial, this is due to their inadequate use and the increase in bacterial resistance in recent years, for this reason, it is important that the pediatric dentist has knowledge of their adequate use in order to carry out correct prescription and administration and thus minimize bacterial resistance.