Gum infections are caused by the overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth that inflame and infect the gums surrounding the teeth, and can even reach to the root of the tooth and deeper into bone. Regular dental care can help prevent this potentially serious infection.
However, if you find yourself in the dentist chair for treatment of gum disease or periodontitis (a more serious type of gum disease) there are several antibacterial medications your dentist or periodontitis may give you to help kill the bacteria causing infection. You may be surprised to know that antibiotics are a last resort in fighting gum disease. Bacteria can easily become resistant to antibiotics.
If the medication is not taken exactly as prescribed, or is stopped early, bacteria can become more difficult to treat and kill, making it hard to clear up the infection. Antibiotics are most often only given if you have a rare and aggressive form of gum disease called Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (NUG) or if you haven't responded well to other treatments.
Antibiotics may also be prescribed if you have a weakened immune system or another serious health condition. If your dentist does give you an antibiotic, you may take a pill or your dentist may pack pockets of gum infection with gel, powder, or small pill-like dissolving chips of antibiotics. These are typically left in place for 7-10 days, and then any remaining residue is removed. Antibiotics are used in conjunction with scraping and planing-a procedure that removes hard tarter buildup and bacteria from the tooth and gum line.
