WEBVTT

00:00:07.083 --> 00:00:10.958
Your gums play a vital role in
 both your oral and overall health.

00:00:11.083 --> 00:00:15.250
Yet nearly half of Americans
 have some form of periodontal disease.

00:00:15.958 --> 00:00:20.250
Periodontal disease is an infection of
 the gums and supporting dental structures.

00:00:20.416 --> 00:00:24.208
And it is caused by an abundance
 of harmful bacteria found in plaque.

00:00:24.541 --> 00:00:28.083
As periodontal disease
 progresses, the gums begin to pull away

00:00:28.083 --> 00:00:29.708
from the teeth, creating pockets

00:00:29.708 --> 00:00:32.708
that make it easier
 for more plaque bacteria to build up

00:00:33.333 --> 00:00:36.375
to help remove the bacteria
 and reduce pocket depths.

00:00:36.708 --> 00:00:39.375
Your dentist may perform
 a variety of treatments

00:00:39.375 --> 00:00:41.458
depending on the severity
 of your condition.

00:00:41.750 --> 00:00:42.875
One of the most common

00:00:42.875 --> 00:00:46.500
gum treatments is a deep cleaning called
 scaling and route planning.

00:00:46.750 --> 00:00:48.666
However, in some cases,

00:00:48.666 --> 00:00:52.291
this deep cleaning may not be enough
 to help keep bacteria away.

00:00:52.500 --> 00:00:56.583
In such cases, your dentist may recommend
 an antibiotic treatment.

00:00:57.125 --> 00:01:00.125
Antibiotic gum treatments
 are designed to target

00:01:00.125 --> 00:01:03.416
harmful bacteria
 in the gums and fight infection.

00:01:03.583 --> 00:01:07.208
There are two main types of antibiotics
 that your dentist may recommend.

00:01:07.416 --> 00:01:09.500
Oral and topical

00:01:09.500 --> 00:01:13.416
oral antibiotics are prescribed
 and taken as directed by your dentist.

00:01:13.625 --> 00:01:17.125
They help reduce inflammation
 as well as the production of disease

00:01:17.125 --> 00:01:18.250
causing bacteria,

00:01:18.250 --> 00:01:22.916
while oral antibiotics are effective in
 treating and managing periodontal disease.

00:01:22.958 --> 00:01:25.416
They often also affect the whole body.

00:01:25.583 --> 00:01:29.500
Your dentist will review any possible side
 effects with you prior to treatment.

00:01:29.750 --> 00:01:33.291
Some of the most common
 oral periodontal antibiotics include

00:01:33.291 --> 00:01:36.541
tetracycline, macrolide and metronidazole.

00:01:37.166 --> 00:01:41.166
Topical antibiotics are applied
 directly to infected gum tissue.

00:01:41.375 --> 00:01:45.750
They're often used in combination
 with other gum treatments, such as scaling

00:01:45.750 --> 00:01:46.958
and root plaining.

00:01:46.958 --> 00:01:49.791
Topical antibiotics come in various forms,

00:01:49.791 --> 00:01:53.083
including gels, powders, strips and chips.

00:01:53.833 --> 00:01:56.708
In many instances,
 your dentist will insert

00:01:56.708 --> 00:02:00.208
the antibiotic directly into the pocket
 or underneath the gums.

00:02:00.458 --> 00:02:04.166
Some antibiotics treat the affected area
 upon application.

00:02:04.375 --> 00:02:08.458
Others, such as Arestin®,
 PerioChip®, and Elyzol®,

00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:12.750
release medication over time
 to not only reduce harmful bacteria,

00:02:12.750 --> 00:02:16.333
but also help maintain reduced pocket's
 for up to nine months

00:02:16.958 --> 00:02:18.916
after your antibiotic treatment.

00:02:18.916 --> 00:02:20.708
It is important that you properly care

00:02:20.708 --> 00:02:23.708
for the treated area
 in order to maximize your results.

00:02:24.416 --> 00:02:27.291
Do not touch the treated area
 for about seven days.

00:02:27.750 --> 00:02:32.375
Do not floss or use a toothpick in the
 treated area for 10 days after treatment.

00:02:32.916 --> 00:02:35.416
Avoid eating crunchy, hard or sticky foods

00:02:35.416 --> 00:02:38.416
for one week to help
 avoid damaging the treated area.

00:02:38.958 --> 00:02:41.250
Drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated,

00:02:41.791 --> 00:02:46.791
avoid or limit smoking and tobacco use
 as this can slow the healing process,

00:02:47.333 --> 00:02:51.083
continue to brush and floss your teeth
 as normal to help keep plaque away

00:02:51.083 --> 00:02:53.916
and control the amount of harmful
 bacteria in your mouth.

00:02:54.541 --> 00:02:57.000
Keep all follow up
 appointments with your dentist.

00:02:58.000 --> 00:02:59.583
If you experience any of the

00:02:59.583 --> 00:03:03.500
symptoms of gum disease, such as bleeding,
 swollen or irritated gums

00:03:03.750 --> 00:03:07.333
or a receding gum line,
 we encourage you to visit your dentist.

00:03:07.625 --> 00:03:11.416
He or she can examine your oral health
 and determine whether an antibiotic

00:03:11.416 --> 00:03:12.916
treatment is right for you.