Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection that can, over time, harm the gums and bone that support your teeth. With timely treatment and good at-home care, you and your dental professional can fight the infection, allowing your gums to heal and hold your teeth securely.

If a gum infection is not treated, the gums can begin to detach, creating pockets of diseased tissue between the teeth and gums. As a pocket deepens, the tooth can become less supported, and bacteria can spread even deeper.

Gum disease is associated with gum pockets, which form when gum tissue begins to detach from teeth. A gum pocket of 4 mm or more may signal gum disease. Pockets tend to get deeper and more numerous as gum disease worsens, putting teeth at risk.

• Scaling teeth involves manually removing plaque and tartar from the teeth and their roots.
• Planing smoothes out rough spots on the roots where bacteria can gather.

SRP is a widely used treatment for gum disease.

SRP is highly effective. But even the best hygienists and dentists can only do so much, since dental instruments cannot always reach every point of infection.

That’s why many dental professionals now combine SRP with an antibiotic that’s applied directly at the site of infection like ARESTIN (minocycline HCl) Microspheres, 1mg.

In fact, ARESTIN + SRP is proven to deliver better results than SRP alone.

There are many factors that can put someone at risk for gum disease. An important one is poor oral hygiene, which may allow bacterial plaque to build up. Other risk factors include family history, diabetes, smoking, certain prescription medicines, stress, pregnancy, diseases affecting the immune system, and tooth alignment irregularities.

Gum disease may be associated with increased risk for other chronic conditions throughout the body such as cardiovascular disease. These diseases may also lead to higher risk of gum disease.

That is why it's important to speak with your dental professional about gum disease and how they can help with your overall oral health care plan.

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ARESTIN is an antibiotic a dental professional places directly into infected gum pockets after a scaling and root planing (SRP) procedure. ARESTIN is also approved for use during periodontal maintenance appointments. ARESTIN + SRP fights harmful bacteria longer than SRP alone. See how ARESTIN works.

ARESTIN microspheres are tiny particles that contain an antibiotic. They release the antibiotic gradually to fight bacteria in the gums over time.

Unlike oral antibiotics for gum infection, ARESTIN is locally applied, delivering the antibiotic right where you need it, at the site of the gum infection.

After performing a scaling and root planing (SRP) procedure, a dental professional places ARESTIN directly into the gum pocket. ARESTIN reaches the base of the pocket, targeting bacteria that SRP alone may not reach. See how ARESTIN works.

Studies have proven that ARESTIN + scaling and root planing (SRP) is more effective in reducing pocket depth than SRP alone. Learn about ARESTIN effectiveness.

ARESTIN is applied to infected pockets in the gums immediately after scaling and root planing (SRP) has been completed. Your dental professional may apply ARESTIN during the same visit as your SRP or during a follow-up visit.

Placement of ARESTIN is easy and does not require needles or anesthesia.

Placing ARESTIN in the gums takes 1-2 minutes in most cases.

No. ARESTIN does not require bandages and will not fall out.

No. ARESTIN is naturally absorbed into the gums, leaving nothing that needs to be removed.

For one week after treatment, do not eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods (e.g., carrots, chips, and gum). For 10 days after treatment, do not use floss or a dental pick in the treated areas. Your dental professional may have additional instructions.

Patients treated with ARESTIN may experience side effects. In clinical studies, the most frequently reported non-dental adverse effects that impacted more than ≥3% of patients were headache, infection, flu symptoms, and pain. The most common side effects related to the mouth were dental infection, periodontitis, tooth sensitivity, tooth caries (cavities), dental pain, gingivitis and stomatitis (mouth irritation).

No. ARESTIN should not be used in any patient who has a known allergy or sensitivity to minocycline or the tetracycline class of antibiotics.

No. ARESTIN contains minocycline, an antibiotic in the tetracycline class. Tetracyclines should not be used by pregnant or nursing women or by children. The use of tetracyclines during tooth development may result in permanent discoloration of the teeth. Talk to your healthcare professional if you have questions about ARESTIN and pregnancy.

An interaction with ARESTIN and penicillin has not been studied. Consult your physician and dental professional about any health concerns you may have. They will be the most familiar with you and your personal medical history.

Yes. ARESTIN does not contain any gluten, red or yellow dye, nuts, or nut byproducts.

No. If you already have dental insurance, ask your dental office or plan if there is coverage. But you may qualify for coverage under your medical insurance plan's prescription benefits.

There’s very little you need to do. Your dental office handles the paperwork to find out if your medical plan may cover ARESTIN. If your medical insurance does provide coverage for ARESTIN, you may be eligible for a co-pay as low as $0.* Learn about saving on ARESTIN.

Talk with your dental office; they may suggest payment options you are not aware of.