In the U.S.—

• Antibacterial, dental

Tetracycline periodontal fibers (tet-ra-SYE-kleen pare-ee-o-DON-tal FI-bers) are used to help treat periodontal disease (a disease of your gums). Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria growing beneath the gum line. Tetracycline works by keeping the number of bacteria from growing. Lowering the amount of bacteria helps to reduce inflammation and swelling in your mouth, and the amount of bleeding around the teeth. Tetracycline fibers are placed in the inflamed mouth areas by your dentist after he or she has thoroughly cleaned your teeth.

Tetracycline periodontal fibers are available only from your dentist, in the following dosage form:

Dental
• Periodontal fibers (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your dentist will make. For tetracycline periodontal fibers, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your dentist if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to tetracycline or any other tetracycline medicine (such as doxycycline, demeclocycline, oxytetracycline, or minocycline). Also tell your dentist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Studies on the effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether the tetracycline from tetracycline periodontal fibers passes into the breast milk.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

When tetracycline periodontal fibers are in place in your mouth, try to avoid any actions that may knock the fibers loose. For example:

• Do not chew hard, crusty, or sticky foods, or chewing gum.
• Do not brush or floss near any treated areas, but continue to clean the other teeth.
• Do not use a dental spray device (e.g., Water-Pik).
• Do not probe or pick at the fibers with your tongue, toothpicks, or fingers.

Dosing—

The amount of tetracycline periodontal fibers that will be put in your gums will be determined by your dentist. The number of teeth that need treatment and the depth of the pockets in your gums will determine the amount of fiber that is used.

Check with your dentist right away if the fibers become loose or fall out before your next dental visit.

Check with your dentist right away if you have pain or swelling or other problems in the treated areas.

It is very important that your dentist check your progress and remove the tetracycline periodontal fibers after ten days. Do not miss any dental appointments.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your dentist immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Gum redness, swelling, and pain in the areas of treatment;  tongue pain and redness 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your dentist if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Discomfort in the area where the fibers have been placed;  redness in the area where the fibers were removed 
  
  

• Rare
  • Sore throat;  staining of the tongue ;  white patches on tongue or in mouth 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your dentist.