Harbor Point Dental Group provides their patients with Arestin, an antibiotic treatment for gum disease. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to further disease progression. Our dental professionals here at Harbor Point Dental Group use Arestin along with scaling and root planing.
Confronting Periodontal Disease with Arestin
The most common chronic bacterial infection in adults is gum disease. Gum disease is caused by bacteria below the gumline, and it is the #1 cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. With regular checkups at our state of the art dental practice, and good daily oral hygiene, it is possible to keep this infection under control. The early stages gum disease symptoms are often mild, so many people are not aware of their condition until it becomes more serious. If left untreated, gum disease may lead to more serious problems that may require painful and expensive surgery. In combination with scaling and root planing (SRP), your dentist can apply Arestin to help treat your moderate to severe gum disease.
What is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and rooth planing (SRP) is often referred to by professionals as a deep cleaning. Scaling and root planing cleans between the gums and your teeth down to the roots. This deep cleaning is usually done due to hardened plaque that forms tartar.
Plaque Buildup is the Root of the Problem
Over time a film of plaque, builds up on your teeth. A major cause of tooth decay, plaque is a sticky substance made of bacteria, mucus, and food on the exposed parts of your teeth. Over time, plaque can harden and become trapped at the base of the tooth. Once plaque hardens on your teeth, it’s known as tartar or calculus. Plaque and tartar can harm your gums if they are not removed. This can lead to inflamed and infected gums, also known as gingivitis. The infection can create deep pockets in your gums or cause your gums to recede or pull back. This exposes the roots of your teeth and allows bacteria to grow below the gumline. Over time, the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth begin to decay and are destroyed. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may need to be removed.
Gum Infection Symptoms
The symptoms of gum disease can range from very mild, to quite severe, depending on the stage of bacteria build up. If you experience any of these symptoms, it may be time to talk to our professionals at Harbor Point Dental Group to see if Arestin is right for you.
- Bad breath – Bacteria that cause gum disease release toxins that can cause bad breath.
- Tender or painful gums - Receding gums and exposed tooth roots can cause added sensitivity.
- Bright red gums - Even a subtle change in the color of your gums can be a sign of gum disease.
- Swollen gums - A gum infection can cause gums to swell.
- Bleeding gums – Bleeding is a common symptom of gum disease. Healthy gums should not bleed during brushing, flossing, or a standard dental exam.
- Pockets - Gum disease causes a space, or pocket, to form along the side of your tooth.
- Loose teeth - It’s not normal to have teeth that can wiggle, at any age. Gum disease can cause teeth to loosen over time.
- Shifting teeth - Gum disease also attacks the bone and tissue that support your teeth. This can cause your teeth to change position over time.
Getting Arestin at Harbor Point Dental Group
Arestin kills the bacteria causing gum disease at the root of the problem. Arestin is different from an antibiotic you take as a pill, because it’s placed directly in the infected area, right where you need it. A pill can’t give you the level of antibiotic concentration in your gums that Arestin can. Our dentists will place Arestin in the pockets below your gumline. This may happen at the time of scaling and root planing. You may also receive Arestin during routine periodontal maintenance. Arestin is in the form of microspheres filled with the antibiotic minocycline hydrochloride. Microspheres are tiny particles that are smaller than grains of sand and are not visible to the eye. These microspheres release the antibiotic over time, killing bacteria so your gums can heal better than with scaling and root planing alone. The dentist will place these microspheres into infected areas. Arestin will dissolve on its own, so no removal is required.
If you think you may be a candidate for Arestin, feel free to contact Harbor Point Dental Group and speak to one of our helpful and friendly dental professionals.
