Keeping your gums healthy for life: Perio Protect® a gentle alternative to surgical therapy in Clearwater, FL
Your gums protect your teeth and the surrounding, supportive bone. So, they serve an essential role in the health of your smile. Healthy gums also support the health of your entire body. Gum (periodontal) disease is a risk factor for several serious health problems that transcend the oral cavity – heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and respiratory disease. Dr. Beata A. Carlson & Associates at Natural Dentistry are focused on keeping gums in top shape. And we work closely with patients in and around Clearwater, FL, to resolve inflammation and disease quickly, non-invasively, effectively, gently, and conveniently.
The Perio Protect® Method
Traditionally, treatments to resolve gum disease have involved using probing, scraping, or cutting instruments. Depending on how far the disease has advanced, dentists have conventionally used scaling and root planing to remove bacterial plaque and stubborn tartar from underneath the gum line and smooth out the tooth’s roots. These rough surfaces tend to attract destructive bacteria. This step in the process encourages healthy reattachment of the tooth to the gums. Think of scaling and root planing is a “deep cleaning.” It is an alternative to “standard” six-month cleanings among those with active disease. It is also a nonsurgical alternative to surgical techniques that build up gum and bone tissue to treat receding gums and bone loss among those with later-stage periodontal disease. Other periodontal therapies involve using cutting tools, such as scalpels, to access the area underneath your gums. After harmful pathogens and stubborn plaque are removed, the gums are sutured back into place. Still, other therapies encourage bone and tissue regrowth.
At Natural Dentistry, we may recommend Perio Protect® to treat various patients, from those with early-stage gingivitis to advanced gum disease. It may also be an effective follow-up therapy for those patients who have undergone other periodontal treatments. Perio Protect® does not require the use of intimidating and aggressive “cutting” or “scraping” instruments. Instead, oral appliances (or “trays”) are designed from molds of your mouth. These trays are filled with a prescription, bacteria-fighting medication. When the custom-fit trays slip over your teeth, the powerful, therapeutic hydrogen peroxide gel is delivered deep below the gum line. The patented Perio Trays® are designed to seal in and keep the medication at the site of the infection. This feature facilitates effective treatment.
Our team will show you how to fill and maintain the trays. We will also discuss how long to wear the trays each day. Generally, patients can restore their gums from the comfort and convenience of home or while on the go by wearing the trays two to four times each day, for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. As your gums respond to treatment and heal, we may adjust the wear time and the frequency with which you apply the Perio Trays®.
Resolve gum disease without the risk
There are many benefits associated with non-invasive periodontal therapy. Since Perio Protect® is gentle yet effective, patients avoid the need to undergo aggressive surgery that removes tissue. As a conservative alternative, the Perio Protect® method preserves tissue. It also encourages speedy, uneventful healing. This system is excellent even for those patients with dental anxiety and fear. It eliminates many features of traditional dental offices that trigger fear. There are no scalpels, drills, needles, and numbing shots. Treatment is painless, and “side effects” are limited to fresh breath and white teeth.
Contact us before you notice potential signs of gum disease, such as blood on your toothbrush or floss. Or, if you have seen changes, do not delay preventing potential problems from getting worse. We look forward to hearing from you!
