Can Topical Medicines Cure Periodontal Disease?
By Akram Rafla | Published on December 17, 2010 | 0 Comments
At the current time, there are no topical treatments that have proven effective in the treatment of periodontal disease. Although Worcester periodontist Dr. Akram Rafla says that the idea of there being a topical medication that can cure periodontal disease would be very exciting, the reality is that it does not yet exist.
Dr. Rafla recommends that patients check with their general dentists or periodontists before paying for over-the-counter medications that claim to treat periodontal disease. He says that a number of medications currently on the market are claiming to provide certain benefits, such as treating and curing periodontal disease. Unfortunately, none of these drug companies have any real studies or research to back up those claims.
At most, Dr. Rafla says that all these over-the-counter topical medications can actually do is to suppress the symptoms of periodontal disease. This is not hard, since any topical medication that constricts blood vessels will help reduce bleeding in the gum area. However, reducing bleeding along the gums by constricting the blood vessels is only a temporary remedy, and it is not getting to the heart of the problem.
One thing that these topical treatments can do, however, is make people feel better. By suppressing the symptoms and lessening any bleeding coming from the gums, people may feel a sense of relief in thinking they are getting healthy again. However, that positivity will only be temporary, since the symptoms of periodontal disease will inevitably come back as soon as treatment with the topical medication has stopped.
A person who puts a topical medication on his gums with the expectation of having his periodontal disease disappear is not living in reality, no matter how exciting the idea may seem. Dr. Rafla says that the best treatment for periodontal disease is an intervention by a general dentist or periodontist. Dr. Rafla regularly treats patients whose conditions have gotten too serious for a general dentist to handle.
Nonetheless, he still recommends that patients start with their general dentists when seeking treatment for periodontal disease. General dentists have been trained to diagnose everything from moderate to advanced periodontal disease; though treating advanced periodontal disease is a job best left to those who specialize in that field.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.