Antibiotics/Antimicrobials for Gum Disease
| chlorhexidine gluconate |
Peridex, Periogard |
| clindamycin |
Cleocin |
| doxycycline |
Periostat |
| metronidazole |
Flagyl |
| penicillin |
|
| triclosan |
Colgate Total toothpaste |
Sustained-release antibiotics
| chlorhexidine gluconate |
PerioChip |
| doxycycline hyclate |
Atridox |
| minocycline |
Arestin |
Antibiotics kill bacteria. Plaque contains bacteria, so antibiotics will reduce the
amount of plaque in your mouth. This can reverse
gum disease and allow your gums to heal.
Dentists prescribe
antibiotics in different forms to treat gum disease.
They can be applied directly on the gums (topical), swallowed as pills or
capsules, swished around on your teeth as mouthwash, or inserted into the
pockets of advanced gum disease. Some medicated toothpastes contain an
antibacterial ingredient that reduces plaque and
gingivitis when used regularly. Ask your dentist if
this type of product would help you.
- To reduce bacteria in your
mouth, antibiotic mouthwash may be prescribed for use
after brushing and flossing.
- Topical antibiotics may be prescribed to treat early-stage
gum disease (gingivitis) that cannot be slowed by improved brushing and
flossing habits.
- Topical antibiotics may be prescribed to treat
mild forms of advanced gum disease (periodontitis).
- Sustained-release
antibiotics may be inserted into the gum pocket for
periodontitis.
- Antibiotic pills or capsules may be prescribed to
treat moderate to severe periodontitis.
If antibiotic treatment is combined
with proper brushing and flossing habits, gum disease can sometimes be stopped. Then gums can become pink and healthy again.
Some possible side effects of antibiotic
pills include:
- Shortness of breath.
- Puffiness or
swelling around the face.
- Rash.
- Bad taste in the
mouth.
- Upset stomach.
- Diarrhea.
Sometimes switching to a different medicine will reduce or
end these side effects.
See Drug Reference for a full list
of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
Antibiotic mouthwashes should not
be swallowed but swished around in your mouth and then spit out.
Bacteria that cause disease can become
resistant to medicines used to treat those diseases
or illnesses. When this happens, the medicines are no longer effective at
killing or controlling the bacteria that cause the disease. Be sure to take
antibiotics exactly as they are prescribed and for the exact amount of time
prescribed. And never use leftover antibiotics for a different illness.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)
(What is a PDF document?)
to help you understand this medication.
|
By
| Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
| Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
| Adam Husney, MD, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
| Steven K. Patterson, BS, DDS, MPH - Dentistry |
|
Last Revised
| August 5, 2011 |
Last Revised:
August 5, 2011
