Periodontitis is more common than you think. Commonly known as gum disease, this dental ailment results in the rapid destruction of the supporting tissue in the gum of the affected, caused by bacteria that thrives in infected gum. Antibiotics are routinely used to halt the growth of bacteria in the gums as conventional non-surgical therapies such as dental cleaning, and scaling and root planing. This site will give you an idea on the administration of antibiotics for periodontitis so read on.
The antibiotics for periodontitis can either be administered alone, or in combination to surgical treatment of periodontitis. There are two primary functions of these antibiotics:
1. The antibiotics may be used to kill the bacteria that is causing periodontitis
2. Or it is used to slow down the destruction of the gum tissue that is attached to the bone
Unfortunately, there is no one antibiotic that is specific in killing the virulent bacteria in the periodontal gums, and is also non-toxic, Hence, a combination of antibiotics are usually given to eliminate all the bacteria in the gums, which are:
A. Tetracylines
This antibiotic has the ability to accumulate in the affected regions of the gum and prevent the multiplication of the bacteria responsible for periodontitis. This antibiotic also prevents further damage to the gums caused by the bacteria. 
B. Doxycycline
Doxycycline has additional benefits for the periodontal tissue on top of the usual functions conferred by antibiotics, such as promoting the reattachment of the infected tissue to the bone, and inhibiting the inflammation of the gum.
C. Metronidazole
Metronidazole is highly effective when it is used in combination with other antibiotics, to kill bacteria that thrive in the crevices of the periodontal tissue, which are specifically able to grow without the access to oxygen.
Clearly, antibiotics are essential in the treatment of periodontitis by reinforcing the surgical treatments with the elimination of the harmful bacteria that causes the disease.
