[Update on current care guidelines: antimicrobials in acute dentistry]

In most cases, acute oral infections originate from the dentition. The use of antimicrobials is secondary to appropriate dental care and does not allow postponing the elimination of the infection source. Medically compromised patients are more susceptible to odontogenic infection complications and antimicrobials have a more important role in their treatment. In the treatment of dental abscesses, a pre-operative 2 g single-dose of amoxicillin is recommended for all patients. An additional five to seven-day course of penicillin V or amoxicillin, in combination with metronidazole or clavulanic acid, should be considered, especially in the treatment of medically compromised patients.