Arestin: Fighting infection where it starts
Everyone today has heard about gum disease through media sources. Gum disease can progress from Gingivitis, inflammation and bleeding gums without associatged bone loss; and Periodontal Disease, also known as Periodontitis. Periodontal disease has all the signs and symptoms of Gingivitis but there is also a loss of the bone and attachment apparatus that surrounds and secures teeth in their boney sockets.
Periodontal disease is actually categorized by how much bone loss exists both on the radiographs and also by taking measurements with a periodontal probe. Early Peridontal Disease shows 20% or less of bone loss. Moderate cases have 20% to 50% bone loss. We consider a patient to have Advanced Peridontal Disease when greater than 50% bone loss is evident. Both Gingivitis and Periodontitis are infective processes that cause bleeding with eventual bone loss and changes in the consistency of the gum contours and coloring.
Most importantly, did you know that periodontal disease is today's #1 cause of tooth loss among American adults? Or that recent data suggest a probable association between periodontal disease and other health issues including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and preterm low birth-weight babies?
Fight infection right where it starts
ARESTIN® (minocycline hydrochloride) Microspheres, 1 mg is an effective antibiotic treatment that comes in powder form. This powder is placed inside infected periodontal pockets just after the dental professional finishes the scaling and root planing (SRP) procedure.
Doxycycline can also be prescribed to be taken twice a day to help treat Periodontis by keeping the virulent bacteria from causing additional bone loss and gum damage. Periogard is the prescription name of this drug.
Chlorhexidine, which is a prescription anti bacterial rinse, is also used in conjunction with Periogard to fight Periodontal Disease.
Gingivitis, even though nowhere as serious as Periodontitis, is also kept at bay with the use of over the counter anti plaque rinses such as Listerine or Crest Pro Health rinse. We have all seen the comercials on TV telling us to rinse for 1 minute at least once per day after you have brushed and flossed. This certainly has merit and is a smart idea to work into you oral hygiene regimen.
We will give you oral hygiene instructions verbally and in writing after your cleanings whether this involves deep scaling and root planing or just a dental prophylaxis.
