Periodontal disease has its roots in infections of the gum tissue caused by bacteria on the surface of your teeth. If left untreated, it can cause tissue loss as well as tooth loss. However, like many types of infection, periodontal disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics.
Whether used in combination with deep dental cleaning treatments or procedures like oral surgery, or used alone, antibiotics have been shown to relieve a variety of conditions, including:
Dental antibiotics can be administered in pill form or as a topical gel applied directly into the gum pockets. A prescription may include a low concentration over a long period, or as a strong dose for short-term treatment that deters bacteria recolonization.
While oral antibiotics can be an effective way to treat periodontal disease, they have a tendency to affect the whole body, since they are ingested. Thus, they are less commonly prescribed than topical antibiotic ointment. Oral antibiotics for dental infection include:
Unlike oral antibiotics, topical treatments deliver relief directly to the affected gum tissue. They can be especially effective when used after deep cleaning procedures like root planing and scaling. Topical antibiotic options come in gel, chip and strip form, and include:
