Local measures are to be used in the first instance, antibiotics should only be used if there is evidence of systemic involvement.
Local Measures
- Scaling, irrigation and oral hygiene advice.
- Recommend the use of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash until acute symptoms are relieved.
Treatment
- As an adjunct to local measures metronidazole is the drug of choice where there is evidence of systemic involvement. A suitable alternative is amoxicillin.
- If antibiotics deemed clinically indicated:

Patient Information
Visit HPSC Information Leaflets pages for the General Public, (MRSA, CRE, etc)
Reviewed Sept 2021
