Sammanfattning
Anti-microbial resistance is globally a growing public health threat. Constrained and appropriately targeted use of antibiotics in healthcare could
slow down the development of antibiotic resistance. Dentists are responsible for a substantial proportion of all antibiotic prescriptions, thus it is important that dentists know optimal principles and practices of using antibiotics. In Nordic countries, national guidelines have an important role as a source of up to date knowledge and expert opinion on the treatment of dental infections, including the use of antibiotics. The Nordic guidelines
highlight that antibiotics should be prescribed only with strict indications and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics should be avoided. At the same
time, it should be kept in mind that common, localised dental infections may occasionally develop into severe life-threatening infections. Whenever
antibiotic treatment is considered, in addition to, surgical drainage it should be started an hour before the procedure to avoid spread of the infection
when manipulating infected tissues. It is essential that dentists can identify the patients with systemic infection or increased infection risk. Antibiotics are needed in severe infections and for patients with increased risk of infection complications, but primarily, acute dental infections are always treated by efficient drainage and elimination of the infection focus