Gum Antibiotic Therapy Orange County | 7 Day Dental in Orange County, Anaheim, Laguna Woods & Mission Viejo | Emergency Dental Care
Gum Antibiotic Therapy Orange County | 7 Day Dental
Gum Antibiotic Therapy Orange County | 7 Day Dental
What Is Gum Antibiotic Therapy?
The gum antibiotic therapy is used to eliminate the bacteria which cause gum disease or periodontal disease.
Antimicrobial therapy makes use of chemicals such as antibiotics and antiseptics to kill or slow down the growth of bacteria that would eventually cause gum disease. Many mouths rinses already contain antiseptics to help you kill the harmful bacteria and prevent periodontal disease.
When you dentist recommends gum antibiotic therapy, antibiotics will be used to kill the bacteria. Your doctor will either place antibiotics under your gums or ask you to eat as pills. This therapy can help patients fight acute and chronic gum infections.
The most common topical antibiotic gels placed under the gums are Arestin and Atridox. The oral antibiotic pills given include penicillin, doxycycline, metronidazole, clindamycin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin.
This therapy is almost always used in conjunction with scaling and root planing, the key elements of deep cleaning. In acute cases, the patient might be started on a systemic oral antibiotic (pill) before the deep cleaning begins. Most often, a topical antibiotic gel is applied under the gums following the deep cleaning.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Procedure for the Therapy
The various procedures used in this therapy are important. If an antibiotic is used without scaling and root planing, the infection is likely to come back strongly, because the residue of plaque and tartar that has not been removed is a perfect environment in which bacteria thrive.
On the other hand, scaling a root planing will not remove all of the bacteria, so the antibiotic kills the remaining germs. To avoid discomfort during deep cleaning, a topical anesthetic is usually applied.
The procedure – How is it done?
Your doctor can choose to give you antibiotics in oral form place them directly into your mouth (local therapy). If you are given antibiotics in oral form, you may have to eat for next week or so.
On the other hand, if your doctor chooses to give you a local therapy, you may be given antibiotics either in the gel form or form of powder. Depending on the type of therapy, your doctor may follow the following procedure.
Therapy with gel
Usually, the procedure has the following steps.
- Your dentist applies a gel under your gums. This gel contains doxycycline.
- Your dentist will then place a periodontal pack around the gums to seal the gel.
- You will be asked to revisit after seven days for a dental exam
When you are on a gum antibiotic therapy, you will be asked by your doctor to stop flossing in the areas with the problem. If you floss, it could remove the antibiotic and render the therapy useless. Your doctor may ask you to resume your dental routine after your second visit.
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