(BPT) – World Series champion and 3-time American League MVP Alex Rodriguez (aka A-Rod) knows how important it is to prioritize your oral health. That’s why, once she received a diagnosis of gum disease more than a year ago, she knew she had to act fast.
“I realized I needed to prioritize my oral health once I was diagnosed with gum disease, which is a chronic bacterial infection,” says Rodriguez. “You can’t just brush or floss away an infection, which can affect the gums and bone that support your teeth and can lead to tooth loss.”
Rodriguez is one of many affected by gum disease, which affects nearly 50% of people over the age of 30. Gum disease typically presents with oral health symptoms such as red, bleeding, swollen or receding gums.
“Since my diagnosis, I’ve learned that gum disease can be serious,” Rodriguez explains, “so I’ve remained proactive in managing my condition.”
Rodriguez’s game
Rodriguez’s dentist began treating him ARRESTIN® (minocycline HCl) Microspheres, an antibiotic applied directly to the gums used in conjunction with scaling and root planing (SRP) procedures to treat patients with adult periodontitis (gingivitis). ARESTIN can be used as part of a general oral health program that includes good brushing and flossing habits and SRP.
Rodriguez’s dentist discussed the safety profile of ARESTIN with him and explained that he should not take ARESTIN if he is allergic to minocycline or tetracyclines and offered to share a list of these medications if he was unsure. His dentist shared that facial swelling, skin itching, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes have been reported with the use of ARESTIN, and some of these reactions were serious. Rodriguez has been asked by his dentist to report if he experiences signs of an allergic reaction, such as skin reactions or difficulty breathing, or if he has an overreaction to sunburn. He also directed him to the full Prescribing Information for more.
“Since I started treatment, I feel more comfortable,” says Rodriguez. “Knowing that my dentist is doing everything he can to manage my gum disease and reduce the risks associated with it gives me peace of mind.”
Although gum disease cannot be cured, it can be managed with regular office visits, treatment and home care. Rodriguez, for example, drawing on the discipline of his baseball career, maintains a strict oral care routine, maintaining a consistent flossing and brushing schedule. In addition, he never misses a visit to the dentist, doing so every three months.
And while some may worry about going to the dentist, Rodriguez says not to.
“Applying treatment to the site of infection is easy with ARESTIN and does not require needles or anesthesia. My dentist walked me through every step of my treatment plan, so I know exactly what to expect every time I visit.”
Spreading awareness about gum disease and encouraging others to prioritize their oral health is important to Rodriguez. Here’s his advice:
- Gum disease can be serious. Treat your gum disease as a serious infection, not something that can be ignored or resolved with just brushing or flossing.
- Know the signs. Be proactive and talk to your dentist if you think you are experiencing signs of gum disease, such as bleeding, red, swollen or receding gums, or bad breath. Checkout ARESTIN.com for a discussion guide that provides questions to ask during your next trip to the dentist.
- Routine and discipline. It’s important to stick to a long-term plan, which includes seeing your dentist for regular checkups.
Visit ARESTIN.com to learn more about gum disease and talk to your dentist about what treatment options may be right for you.
Read the Important Safety Information and the full Prescribing Information for ARESTIN.
What is ARESTIN?
ARESTIN (minocycline HCl) Microspheres, 1 mg is used in conjunction with scaling and root planing (SRP) procedures to treat patients with adult periodontitis (gingivitis). ARESTIN® can be used as part of a general oral health program that includes good brushing and flossing habits and SRP.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- Do not take ARESTIN if you are allergic to minocycline or tetracyclines. Ask your dentist or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure. Facial swelling, skin itching, fever, and swollen lymph nodes have been reported with the use of ARESTIN. Some of these reactions were severe. Tell your dentist right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as skin reactions or difficulty breathing, or if you have an exaggerated sunburn reaction.
- The use of the class of tetracycline, including the arestin, during the development of the tooths can cause a permanent discoloration of the tooth and therefore should not be used in children or pregnant women.
- ARESTIN has not been studied in patients with a weakened immune system (such as patients with HIV infections or diabetes, or patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation). Tetracyclines, including oral minocycline, have been associated with the development of an autoimmune syndrome with symptoms such as joint pain, muscle pain, rash, swelling, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and general body weakness. Tell your doctor about any health problems you have, including whether you have had oral candidiasis (“thrush”) in the past, and about all medications you are taking.
- In clinical studies, the most commonly reported non-dental side effects were headache, infection, flu-like symptoms, and pain.
We encourage you to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Visit ARESTIN.com/PI for complete prescribing information.
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Source: Bausch Health US, LLC
