Are antibiotics replacing the need for gum surgery?
Results of a recent study that reported the use of antibiotics to treat severe gum disease cases without surgery may sound encouraging to people who know they have gum disease, but don’t be fooled, cautions the Academy of General Dentistry. The study lacks statistics on the effectiveness of antibiotics as well as their side effects should cause patients to throughly discuss all treatment options with their dentist. Each case is different. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an infection that can grow progressively worse and endanger the teeth when left untreated. An increasing number and mix of antibiotics are available to help treat the disease, sometimes in combination with a procedure called scaling and root planing. This procedure is performed by the dentist to clean periodontal pockets. These pockets are caused by toxins released and produced by the bacteria in plaque which breakdown the fibers that hold the gums tightly to the teeth. Scaling and root planing is designed to sm
