Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth? Do you notice a bad breath? Or do you feel like your teeth are moving a little? Although we think these are just normal things, sometimes they can be signs of serious gum disease. Today we are talking about a special medicine that dentists use to treat this type of severe gum disease.
What is Minocycline Periodontal Powder?
Simply put, this is a special antibiotic used to treat Periodontitis, a serious gum infection. Periodontitis occurs when small pockets form between your gums and teeth, and bacteria grow inside them and become infected. If this is not treated properly, the bone that holds your teeth in can dissolve and your teeth can fall out.
So, this medicine called Minocycline is injected directly into the infected gum pocket by your dentist. It is a medicine that belongs to the tetracycline group of antibiotics. Its main function is to kill the bacteria that caused the infection or stop their growth. Due to this, the swelling and infection in the gums gradually decreases and heals.
The most important thing is, this is not a medicine you can take home and use. This is a treatment that is injected into the gums by the doctor himself in a dental clinic.
Things to tell your doctor before starting treatment
Before deciding whether this treatment is right for you, you should clearly explain these facts to your doctor.
- Allergies: Have you ever had an allergy to minocycline or other tetracycline medications? Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any allergies to any other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon, it is very important to inform your doctor.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are a breastfeeding mother, you should definitely mention that as well.
How do you take care of your mouth after treatment?
After the doctor applies the medicine to your gums, it will need a lot of your help to make it work properly. Follow the instructions below exactly.
- For 12 hours: Do not touch the treated area in any way or brush it with a toothbrush.
- For a week: Avoid eating hard, crunchy foods (e.g., cashews, chips, fried foods) and sticky foods (e.g., toffee, jelly).
- For 10 days: Do not use interdental cleaning devices, such as dental floss or interproximal brushes, in the treated area.
If your doctor gives you any other special instructions, follow them exactly.
Is this treatment suitable for children?
This treatment is usually done on adults. It requires special care when used on children. Therefore, if your child has this problem, it is best to talk to a pediatric dentist about it and make a decision.
What to do if you overdose?
Since this is a treatment administered by a doctor, the chances of overdose are very low. However, if you suspect that something like this has happened to you, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, this treatment can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, some are not so serious.
| Side effect | What to do? |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. | If any of these symptoms occur, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU). |
| Increased pressure around the brain: severe headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting. | |
| Joint pain. | |
| Symptoms of liver damage: pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark yellow/brown urine. | |
| Difficulty or pain in swallowing. | |
| Redness of the skin, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth). | |
| Severe diarrhea (stomach ache) and fever. | |
| Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor. | |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be sought medical attention if they persist | |
| Tooth discoloration. | If these persist or bother you, talk to your doctor. |
| Headache and dizziness. | |
| Feeling tired (Fatigue). | |
| Moderate diarrhea. | |
Other things to consider during treatment
- Other medications: This treatment is unlikely to cause major problems with other medications. However, tell your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, or supplements you are taking. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
- Sun sensitivity: This medication may make your skin a little more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, stay out of the sun as much as possible. If you do go outside, wear clothing that covers your skin and apply sunscreen.
- Diarrhea: If you have severe, watery diarrhea that lasts for more than two days, do not take over-the-counter medication, but call your doctor immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Minocycline Periodontal Powder is a special antibiotic medicine given for periodontitis, a severe gum disease.
- This is not a home remedy, but a treatment that is inserted into the gums by a doctor at a dental clinic.
- After treatment, it is very important to follow the doctor's instructions (about eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth) exactly.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a serious side effect such as a severe allergic reaction, severe headache, or skin blistering.
- Inform your doctor about your other medical conditions, medications, and allergies before treatment.
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