A patient is prescribed Penicillin VK and Ibuprofen for a dental infection. What is the most important advice for the dentist to give regarding the Penicillin VK?

Patients must complete the full antibiotic course (typically 7 days for Penicillin VK in dental infections) to ensure complete eradication of the infecting bacteria and to prevent selection of antibiotic-resistant strains. Symptomatic improvement often occurs before the infection is fully resolved. Regarding ibuprofen: it provides anti-inflammatory and analgesic relief but does not treat the infection. Together, they address both the infective cause and the symptomatic discomfort. Advise patients to take ibuprofen with food to minimize gastric irritation.