{"id":28208,"date":"2025-09-05T12:00:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T17:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/?p=28208"},"modified":"2025-09-04T09:35:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T14:35:00","slug":"do-we-really-need-antibiotics-for-periodontal-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/2025\/09\/05\/do-we-really-need-antibiotics-for-periodontal-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Do We Really Need Antibiotics for Periodontal Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When patients receive their OralDNA\u00ae MyPerioPath\u00ae test results, one of the most common questions is: <\/span>\u201cWhy aren\u2019t we prescribing antibiotics?\u201d<\/span><\/i> After all, the test identifies bacteria linked to periodontal (gum) disease. Shouldn\u2019t antibiotics be the next step?<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Lee Sheldon explains that the answer often goes back to the root cause of periodontal disease itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeriodontal disease is the loss of support for the teeth. It comes primarily from bacteria that go below the gum line and lodge on the root surface, with heavy accumulations of calcified bacteria. That\u2019s called calculus,\u201d says Dr. Sheldon. \u201cWithin the calculus, there are little openings where bacteria lodge. So the source of the bacteria in your mouth very often is the calculus.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, the first step is not medication\u2014it\u2019s removing the source of the infection. Scaling and root planing, along with good home care, target the calculus deposits where harmful bacteria thrive. Once these deposits are cleared, the bacterial load often decreases naturally.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why antibiotics aren\u2019t automatically prescribed. \u201cOur primary goal is to remove that calculus, and the bacteria within that calculus will go away if we\u2019re able to do that,\u201d Dr. Sheldon explains. \u201cThen we don\u2019t have to prescribe an antibiotic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There are exceptions. For patients with aggressive or advanced cases, antibiotics may be necessary. But even then, the decision is made carefully. \u201cIt\u2019s clear that when we prescribe an antibiotic, it removes the balance of the bacteria, the viruses, and the fungi within the body,\u201d notes Dr. Sheldon. Many people are familiar with side effects like yeast infections, which can occur when the body\u2019s natural microbiome is disrupted.<\/span><\/p>\n

OralDNA\u00ae tests help clinicians tailor care to the individual. By identifying which bacteria are present, providers can decide whether the infection can be managed with mechanical therapy alone, or if medication is warranted. Dr. Sheldon emphasizes a conservative approach: \u201cWhat we want to do is as little as we need to in order to control the infection.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And the statistics back it up. \u201cBy our statistics, 50% of the people that we see will heal without antibiotics,\u201d says Dr. Sheldon. \u201cAnd if you don\u2019t have antibiotics, your system doesn\u2019t have to recover.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The takeaway? Antibiotics are a tool\u2014but not always the first tool. For most patients, treating the underlying calculus and maintaining strong home care can resolve the problem without disrupting the body\u2019s natural balance. MyPerioPath\u00ae provides the roadmap, helping clinicians choose the least invasive, most effective treatment path for periodontal disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you would like to watch to Dr. Sheldon’s full video please click here<\/a> or watch the video below.<\/span><\/p>\n