Can antibiotics help cure gum disease?

Many of us have suffered at one time or another from gum problems, like pain, bleeding and swelling. There are symptoms that tell us we could be suffering from gum disease, and they tend to be related to diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis.

The first reaction when dealing with gum disease is to resort to home remedies like rinses with salt and/or hydrogen peroxide. However, these remedies do not eliminate the bacteria.

People also go to the pharmacy to get medicine that offers pain relief. Pharmacists usually recommend an antiseptic mouthwash that, even if it eliminates bacteria, tends to not get rid of bacteria inside the gums, which is the cause of the infection.

So, how can you cure gum disease and treat periodontitis properly? Are antibiotics recommended?

For treating periodontitis or gingivitis, you need to go to a dental clinic specialized in this type of condition. Proper treatment for gum disease means eliminating the bacteria in the gums, including plaque, and this can only be done by full mouth disinfection or cleaning by dentists specialized in gums who are also called periodontists.

Gum diseases like periodontitis or gingivitis can be treated with antibiotics, although they are not recommended as the sole treatment. The reason is that despite eliminating part of the bacteria, they are not able to eliminate all of it, which means there is always a bit left over that can “reactivate” the infection.

In the large majority of cases, the infection can be controlled by full mouth disinfection, without antibiotics being needed. As you know, the indiscriminate and over-prescribing of antibiotics can cause resistance to bacteria that increases the strength of the bacteria which causes infectious diseases. Therefore, antibiotics should only be used when completely necessary, and full mouth disinfection is not enough.

Do you think you might be suffering from some of the symptoms we mentioned? Remember that the first appointment at our clinic is free. Come, tell us what the issue is, and we will let you know about the best options for dealing with your particular issue.

Many of us have suffered at one time or another from gum problems, like pain, bleeding and swelling. There are symptoms that tell us we could be suffering from gum disease, and they tend to be related to diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis.

The first reaction when dealing with gum disease is to resort to home remedies like rinses with salt and/or hydrogen peroxide. However, these remedies do not eliminate the bacteria.

People also go to the pharmacy to get medicine that offers pain relief. Pharmacists usually recommend an antiseptic mouthwash that, even if it eliminates bacteria, tends to not get rid of bacteria inside the gums, which is the cause of the infection.

So, how can you cure gum disease and treat periodontitis properly? Are antibiotics recommended?

For treating periodontitis or gingivitis, you need to go to a dental clinic specialized in this type of condition. Proper treatment for gum disease means eliminating the bacteria in the gums, including plaque, and this can only be done by full mouth disinfection or cleaning by dentists specialized in gums who are also called periodontists.

Gum diseases like periodontitis or gingivitis can be treated with antibiotics, although they are not recommended as the sole treatment. The reason is that despite eliminating part of the bacteria, they are not able to eliminate all of it, which means there is always a bit left over that can “reactivate” the infection.

In the large majority of cases, the infection can be controlled by full mouth disinfection, without antibiotics being needed. As you know, the indiscriminate and over-prescribing of antibiotics can cause resistance to bacteria that increases the strength of the bacteria which causes infectious diseases. Therefore, antibiotics should only be used when completely necessary, and full mouth disinfection is not enough.

Do you think you might be suffering from some of the symptoms we mentioned? Remember that the first appointment at our clinic is free. Come, tell us what the issue is, and we will let you know about the best options for dealing with your particular issue.

Dra. Libertad Caro
Dra. Libertad Caro
Periodontics and Dental Implantology

Specialist in Periodontics and Dental Implantology, trained in Valencia, Barcelona, and Gothenburg. Discover the team of Clínica Pronova.

Table of contents

Table of Contents

Tags

Do you know which are the best dental implants? How long do they last?

We answer your questions so you can make the right decision with this practical guide to implant dentistry.

Do you want us to solve your doubts about this topic? Contact with us

Related articles

At Pronova Clinic we are aware of the importance of oral health and that is why we want to inform you about cross bite. Knowing more about this dental problem that affects both children and adults can help to identify…

Do you want to know what intermaxillary elastics are for? At Pronova we explain everything you need to know about the different types of elastics. Orthodontics aims to improve chewing function, occlusion and the appearance of the teeth. To achieve…

The treatment of periodontal disease begins in its initial phase with the well-known "gum scaling", a procedure that is also called "curettage", "deep oral cleaning" or "gum cleaning". Find out the importance of gum scaling if you have periodontal disease…

Dental implantology has provided a viable solution for those patients who have lost their teeth, allowing them a fixed dentition with which they can chew any type of food, smile without prejudice or speak without fear of people perceiving their…

Contrary to what one might think, treating dental malocclusion problems when children are still growing can also prevent problems in adulthood. To this end, dentists recommend interceptive or functional orthodontics, which, although different from preventive orthodontics, also has benefits for…

Overbite is one of the most common dental malocclusion problems among people, some of whom may think that it is only an aesthetic problem, since it is sometimes imperceptible when the truth is that it can cause functional problems, altering…

In Spain, the number of diabetics is expected to exceed 3 million in the coming years. Currently, 6% of the Spanish population has diabetes. But did you know that by taking care of the health of your mouth, you can…

As we have commented on many occasions, the placement of fixed teeth on dental implants has been a real revolution in the treatment of patients suffering from tooth loss. And although many patients have benefited from this treatment, it is…

The smile is our letter of introduction when we interact with the surrounding society, so maintaining good oral health is important not only from the point of view of health but also because it has a great influence on the…

A very common concern of patients before starting orthodontic treatment with braces is whether this type of appliance will cause pain. It is true that, initially, it is necessary to undergo an adaptation period that can last from two or…