Perio Protect: How This Gum Disease Treatment Works

Gum disease is common, and catching and treating it early protects both your gums and your teeth. Perio Protect is a non-invasive, comfortable way to fight the bacteria behind gum disease, using custom trays you wear at home for a few minutes a day. Here’s how it works and whether it might be right for you.

How Gum Disease Develops

Gum (periodontal) disease starts with plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If it isn’t removed by brushing, flossing and professional cleanings, it hardens into tartar along the gumline. The bacteria irritate the gums, causing gingivitis: red, swollen gums that may bleed. Left untreated, the infection can move below the gumline into pockets around the teeth, becoming periodontitis, which can lead to pain, bone loss and loose or lost teeth.

Warning Signs to Watch For

• Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
• Red, swollen, sore or sensitive gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Gums pulling away from your teeth (recession)
• New gaps between teeth, or loose teeth

If you notice any of these, schedule a visit. Early treatment makes a big difference.

What Is Perio Protect?

Perio Protect pairs your professional cleanings with a prescription-strength, at-home treatment. Custom-fitted trays, similar to a thin mouthguard but sealed to hold medication in place, deliver an antimicrobial gel, typically hydrogen peroxide–based, into the pockets between your teeth and gums. Those pockets are hard to reach with a toothbrush, floss or mouthwash, which is exactly where gum-disease bacteria thrive.

How Perio Protect Works

1. Cleaning and impressions. After a thorough dental cleaning, we take impressions to make trays that fit your teeth and gums snugly.
2. Prescription gel. We prescribe the medication and show you how much to use.
3. Daily at-home use. You wear the trays for a short time each day, as directed, between visits, so treatment continues every day instead of only at appointments.
4. Targeted delivery. Because the trays are custom-sealed, the medication reaches deep into the gum pockets without spilling into your mouth.

How to Use Your Perio Trays

• Hold the trays open side up and place the exact prescribed amount of gel in each. Too much can leak.
• Spread the gel with the brush included in your kit.
• Gently seat the trays over your top and bottom teeth and leave them in for the time we prescribe.
• Remove the trays, spit out the excess and rinse your mouth.
• Rinse the trays and brush in cool water. Hot water can warp them.
• Store everything in the case until next time.

Use them as often as prescribed for the best results. Perio Protect doesn’t replace good habits: keep brushing and flossing daily, and keep your regular checkups and cleanings.

Benefits of Perio Protect

• Non-invasive and comfortable. A gentle alternative or complement to more involved gum treatments.
• Convenient. Treatment happens at home and fits into your routine. You can wear the trays while doing other things.
• Targeted. Medication goes directly to the areas that need it most.
• Continuous. Daily use keeps fighting bacteria between appointments, helping your gums heal.
• Preventive. If you’re at risk of, or have a history of, gum disease, it can help you keep your gums healthy.
• Fresher breath. Many patients also notice fresher breath and brighter-looking teeth.

Is Perio Protect Right for You?

We offer Perio Protect at our Dublin, Grove City and Gahanna offices. Learn more about the treatment on our Perio Protect page, or book an appointment and we’ll check your gums and talk through your options.

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