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Low-Dose Doxycycline & Peridontal Disease

Periodontal disease is disease of the gums which is characterized by red gums, swelling of the gums, halitosis and loosening of the teeth. One treatment for the condition involves the administration of a low dose antibiotic called Periostat, which helps prevent tooth loss when taken long-term.

  1. Periostat

    • Periostat consists of the tetracycline antibiotic doxycycline in a small dose. The 20 mg pills are taken twice daily for months at a time. The treatment process is known as subantimocrobial dose doxycycline, or SDD.

    How SDD Works

    • Most antibiotic treatments are designed to kill bacteria, but SDD works differently. The amount of doxycycline in SDD is not high enough to affect bacteria. Instead, it acts upon metalloproteinases, which are enzymes that can damage the teeth and the gums. SDD protects the tissues which connect the teeth to the gums, thereby preventing tooth loss associated with periodontal disease.

    Risks

    • Long-term antibiotic treatment can cause resistance to antibiotics, but low-dose therapy is thought to be safe because of the fact that the dose is too low to affect bacteria.

    Time Frame

    • Patients may notice a decrease in bleeding of the gums after taking Periostat for three months. Long-term treatment indicates that use of the drug may aid in the attachment of teeth to gums by as much as 50 percent.

    Enhancing Effect

    • The usage of ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs has been shown to improve the effectiveness of low dose antibiotic periodontal disease treatment in some patients, as indicated in the New York Times Health Guide.

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