Being in the middle of a pandemic, we think this would be the best time to discuss antibiotic over usage. To dodge another possible pandemic, it is high time we use the antibiotics in our hands wisely. New resistant strains of bacteria are growing so fast that we are running out of antibiotics to treat them. WHO has released a list of bacteria for which new antibiotics are needed. HOW DO ANTIBIOTICS WORK? To make something clear, not all antibiotics kill all bacteria. Certain antibiotics are effective against certain bacteria. To simplify, these antibiotics specifically target the components or a particular process of microbes which is not found in the host (humans). Generally by studying the symptoms or nature of the infection, the likely causative organism is decided and apt antibiotics are given. In unfamiliar scenarios, pus culture is done to find out the causative organism. ANTIBIOTICS IN DENTISTRY: Use of antibiotic...