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Using Antibiotics to Fight Gum Disease

North Suburban Periodontics uses every modern treatment technique to treat patients. Dr. McClenahan will sometimes recommend the use of antibiotics to help his patients fight gum disease.

Bacteria are responsible for gum disease. Though good, daily dental hygiene along with regular check-ups, cleaning, scaling and root planing will usually prevent and control gum disease. For particularly stubborn cases, periodontists are practicing a technique called localized antibiotic placement.

This technique is showing a great deal of promise and is an evolving method of treatment in periodontal therapy. In localized antibiotic placement, Dr. McClenahan will use an antibiotic in a gel and he will apply it to the affected area. Over time, he will carefully monitor the effects of the antibiotic on the infected tissue to make sure the gum disease has been stopped. A follow-up treatment may be recommended.

In some circumstances, Dr. McClenahan may also recommend an antibacterial mouthwash that is used for irrigating the affected area and it may also be used as a prescribed mouthwash for a limited period of time.

If you would like to learn more about localized antibiotic placement as part of the fight against periodontal disease, please do not hesitate to contact our office.