title: Antimicrobial agents in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases.
abstract: It has been estimated that there are more than 400 diseases affecting the oral cavity. In terms of prevalence, however, the major public health problems are caries and periodontal disease. Although these two destructive entities are completely different in many respects, they share a common denominator: the initial lesions are brought about by an aggregate of bacteria known as plaque. This article discusses chemical control of plaque in the treatment of gingivitis and antimicrobial control of subgingival plaque in the treatment of periodontitis. The authors address the use of antibiotics in the treatment of localized juvenile periodontitis, the ideal properties of antiplaque agents, and adjunctive subgingival application of antimicrobial agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, New York University College of Dentistry.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bral
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Brownstein
mesh_terms: D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010636:Phenols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013754:Tetracyclines / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D010636:Phenols; D013754:Tetracyclines; D002710:Chlorhexidine