We know that antibiotics can help treat various infections, but what about gum disease? The ADA Science & Research Institute and the University of Texas Health Centers recently received a $2.4 million grant to research that. The grant comes from the NIH National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research.
What the Researchers Will Look Into
The grant will go to a clinical trial that looks at using antibiotics in combination with other periodontal disease treatments. This treatment is adjunctive antibiotic therapy. The study hopes to create real-world data on this type of therapy. The study will feature 1,050 periodontal patients being treated by over 30 clinicians around the country.
What It Means for You
Depending on the study’s results, Dr. Sharma may prescribe antibiotics for certain patients with gum disease. There likely won’t be an immediate change in using antibiotics for gum disease. However, it can lead to future changes. Given that 40% of those in the U.S. have periodontal disease, this research can be very important.
Conclusion
Researchers will be looking into using antibiotics as part of the treatment for gum disease. This would be useful in combination with other treatment methods. While you shouldn’t expect immediate changes to your periodontal treatment, it may lead to antibiotic prescriptions as part of the treatment.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with our dentist in Evergreen Park, IL, contact us today.