MONDAY, April 18, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new prescription treatment for gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque-forming bacteria.
Decapinol Oral Rinse, made by United Kingdom-based Sinclair Pharmaceuticals, can lead to a "substantial reduction" in gingivitis in people 12 and older when tooth brushing and flossing aren't enough, an FDA spokesman said in a statement on the agency's Web site.
Decapinol contains a substance called a surfactant that makes it harder for bacteria to stick to tooth and gum surfaces.
Clinical studies showed the treatment decreased gingivitis by up to 60 percent, compared with people who didn't use it. The product is not recommended for pregnant women, the agency said.
To learn more about gingivitis, visit Healthfinder.
