Arestin Post-Op Home Care

Arestin is a bioresorbable gel containing minocycline (a tetracycline derivative) microspheres. It has been FDA approved for treatment of gum disease after a deep cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing.

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How does it work on gum disease? When placed in a periodontal pocket, Arestin maintains a high-level of antibiotic right at the gum disease site without exposing the rest of the body to antibiotics. This allows treatment using one-hundredth the usual pill-form dose. It directly fights the gum disease infection for 14 days.

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How do I get the best results from my treatment with Arestin?

• No eating or drinking for 30 minutes following treatment.

• Avoid touching the treated areas.

• Wait 12 hours after your treatment before brushing teeth.

• Wait 10 days before using floss, toothpicks, or other devices designed to clean between the treated teeth.

• Avoid foods for 1 week that could hurt your gums (such as popcorn or hard chips).

• Don't chew gum or eat sticky foods.

• After 10 days, resume cleaning between the treated teeth teeth on a daily basis. 

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Remember, you must do your part! After your Arestin therapy, if you don't brush at least 2 times per day and floss every day, then any dental treatment of your gum disease will not work effectively.

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