I Was Prescribed Arestin: Is It Safe to Take?

Usually when you go to the dentist, your treatment is over after the visit is over. If you’re fighting periodontal disease, though, the battle may continue even after you’ve left the office, thanks to a medicine called Arestin that your dentist may place on your gums to treat your gum disease.

As with any medicine you take, you should be sure that Arestin is safe for you. In most cases, patients will be completely safe taking Arestin, although there are a few restrictions we’ll detail below. 

At Portrait Dental, we do use Arestin to help our patients with advanced gum disease. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Arestin?

If you have periodontal disease, your gums have become inflamed and infected, usually due to a buildup of plaque on your teeth that contains bacteria harmful to your mouth. Poor oral hygiene is the biggest risk factor for gum disease, but genetics, smoking, diabetes, and a few other diseases can also play a role.

Arestin (minocycline hydrochloride) is an antibiotic used to treat your gum disease by killing the bacteria that are causing it. It’s usually used in conjunction with procedures called scaling and root planing that fight periodontal disease as well. 

Scaling involves manually scraping and removing plaque and tartar from your teeth and roots, while root planing smooths out rough spots on the roots that provide an easy spot for bacteria to gather.

These are effective procedures, but hygienists can only go so deep into your gums with their tools, so we add Arestin to continue the battle.

How does it work?

When periodontal disease advances, it often creates pockets of diseased tissue where your gums begin to pull back from your teeth. This can eventually cause your teeth to become unsupported in your mouth. We apply Arestin directly into these infected pockets to fight the bacteria there. 

Because Arestin is locally applied at the site of the infection, it’s more powerful than just swallowing an antibiotic pill. Clinical trials have shown that using Arestin in combination with scaling and root planing is about 20% more effective than scaling and root planing alone. 

Is it safe to take?

Your dentist should not treat you with Arestin if you’re allergic to minocycline or tetracyline antibiotics. If you notice an allergic reaction after it has been applied, tell your dentist right away. You should also not take it if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. 

Arestin should not a treatment for children either — tetracycline-class drugs can cause tooth discoloration if they are used during tooth development.

If you need oral health treatment, our team at Portrait Dental is ready and willing to help. Just call our Katy, Texas, office at 501-381-1621, or use our easy online scheduler to book an appointment at your convenience!