When do I need an antibiotic?
Antibiotics are only rarely used for gum inflammation. There are many other remedies, such as ointments and home remedies, which can help to heal well. If however nothing at all helps and the inflammation remains despite all recognizable causes for the time being, then after some weeks also the antibiotic income must be considered by the dentist.
However, it should really only be used in an emergency. As for example in case of “ANUG” (acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis). In general, the active ingredient amoxicillin has proven its worth in dentistry.
This is based on penicillins and attacks the cell wall of the bacteria. It is administered in tablet form, usually one tablet in the morning and one in the evening. This active ingredient can be administered in combination with clavulanic acid, a substance that is harmful to bacteria, to achieve an even more extensive effect.
Then, for example, the drug Amoxicomp® is prescribed. If there is an allergy to peniciliin, another drug must be used. It is essential to inform the treating doctor, otherwise serious side effects will occur. The active ingredient clindamycin can be used, which is also administered by tablets.
Prophylaxis
The targeted prevention of gingivitis can basically be carried out by any dentist in private practice and trained specialists (prophylaxis assistants; dental assistants). Patients who wish to prevent a recurrence of gingivitis as part of their prophylaxis, or in whom inflammatory processes have previously penetrated into other structures of the periodontium, are advised to consult a special periodontist (periodontist). During the prophylaxis session, the patient is shown where oral hygiene must be optimized by staining the plaque with a special dye.
This is followed by specific instructions on a suitable tooth brushing technique, which is adapted to the special conditions within the oral cavity of the individual patient. A so-called professional tooth cleaning, which is carried out at regular intervals, should not be missing in any prophylaxis plan. In the course of this dental cleaning, each individual tooth is cleaned from all sides with special instruments to remove plaque and tartar deposits.
The curettes or ultrasonic scalers can remove both soft and hard plaque from the tooth surface due to their individual grinding.Alternatively, during the gum inflammation prophylaxis, teeth can be cleaned by using a small sandblaster-like device. From a professional point of view, this method is more than questionable, because the small particles of the blaster roughen the tooth surface and thus create new dirt niches. The costs of prophylaxis are not completely covered by the statutory health insurance companies.
As a rule, only one subsidy is granted or one session per year is covered. Therefore, the patient has to pay at least a partial amount himself. However, regular professional dental cleaning is not enough to prevent gingivitis for a long time.
Above all, the correct and regular oral hygiene of the patient is essential to prevent gingivitis. Home remedies can also be used prophylactically. Alternatively, during the gum inflammation prophylaxis, teeth can be cleaned by using a small sandblaster-like device.
From a professional point of view, this method is more than questionable, because the small particles of the blaster roughen the tooth surface and thus create new dirt niches. The costs of prophylaxis are not completely covered by the statutory health insurance companies. As a rule, only one subsidy is granted or one session per year is covered.
Therefore, the patient has to pay at least a partial amount himself. However, regular professional dental cleaning is not enough to prevent gingivitis for a long time. Above all, the correct and regular oral hygiene of the patient is essential to prevent gingivitis. Home remedies can also be used prophylactically.
