Fight Gum Disease & Systemic Health Issues With Tray Therapy

Swollen gums and bleeding after brushing? It’s not normal! Learn the red flags to look for when it comes to gingivitis, gum disease, and the harmful bacteria that lurk in the gum tissues. See how a game-changing tray therapy system like Perio Protect can be your ultimate ally in managing and preventing both oral and systemic health issues.

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Understanding the Signs: The Red Flags for Gum Disease and Gingivitis

Gum disease, also called periodontitis, is a serious - yet often understated - bacterial infection of the gums. When not properly managed with preventive dentistry, this infection has the potential to damage the soft tissue around your teeth, destroy the bone that supports your teeth, and even lead to tooth loss, not to mention other systemic health issues. Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease that has not yet advanced to the point of causing bone loss.

Here are a few key symptoms of gingivitis and gum disease to watch out for:

• Swollen or puffy gums
• Bright red, dark red or purple gums
• Pink or red in your saliva when you spit after brushing
• Pink bristles on your toothbrush after brushing
• Tenderness along the gum line
• Bad breath

One common misconception is that having gingivitis or gum disease always means you haven’t taken care of your mouth and teeth. While poor oral hygiene does play a role, gum disease can still occur even if you take good care of your teeth and brush and floss according to American Dental Association recommendations. In fact, periodontitis affects more than 47% of adults over age 30 in the United States.

47% of Americans over the age of 30 have chronic periodontitis

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According to Cleveland Clinic, that number jumps to around 70% for adults over 65.¹ Other factors apart from poor oral hygiene that put you at risk for developing gingivitis and gum disease are smoking, health conditions like diabetes, genetics and family history and hormonal changes.

So the reality is that gingivitis and gum disease are fairly common – diseases that you’re more prone to get as you age – but they also come along with harmful impacts to health that people often underestimate.

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The Systemic Impact: Your Gum Tissue is a Superhighway to Your Bloodstream

Powerful research has come to light in recent years that points to the strong connection between the mouth and the rest of the body. The bacteria that cause periodontitis have a direct entry point to your bloodstream through your gum tissue; essentially, your gum tissue acts as a superhighway to your bloodstream, and in turn, the rest of your body.

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If you have harmful bacteria residing in your mouth, they have the potential to duplicate and pump out toxins to the rest of your body, putting you at risk for heart conditions like heart disease, heart attacks and coronary artery disease², as well as other conditions like respiratory disease³, rheumatoid arthritis⁴, stroke², Alzheimer’s⁵, preterm birth and low birth weight⁶, and problems controlling blood sugar in diabetes⁷. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute revealed that severe gum disease can even increase cancer risk by 24 percent.⁸

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“Once harmful bacteria enters your bloodstream, it can go all throughout your body. We want to make sure that your body is able to kill off those bacteria before they become a problem in high populations inside your mouth.” - Katy, Registered Dental Hygienist, Alpers Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

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Fortunately, gingivitis and gum disease can be reversed, if it is treated early enough! The good news is there is something you can do at home to reduce the levels of harmful bacteria in your mouth and prevent these greater systemic health issues from developing. Our Scottsdale dental office takes a preventive approach to your oral health, and we have several tools in our arsenal to combat harmful bacteria levels in your mouth so that you can achieve optimal overall health as well. One of these tools is a simple, non-invasive and effective at-home tray therapy treatment called Perio Protect.

Meet Tray Therapy: A Safe and Effective Way to Fight Bacteria

A tray therapy system like Perio Protect is a simple, non-invasive and effective at-home treatment that is revolutionizing the way the oral health community is addressing gingivitis and gum disease. The Perio Protect regimen includes customized precision-fit trays, one for your upper teeth and one for your lower teeth, and a hydrogen peroxide gel. Their non-invasive trays have a customized sealing system that allows the 1.7% hydrogen peroxide gel to go deep into the periodontal pockets, where toothbrushes and floss fail to reach. This regimen has proven to be effective in fighting bacteria and gum disease, reducing inflammation and bleeding.

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Results show a 75% decrease in bleeding sites for Perio Protect patients

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This hydrogen peroxide gel penetrates the protective slime layer covering bacterial communities, and it can break down the cell walls of bacteria responsible for the infections and oral wounds associated with gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis.

Hydrogen peroxide is naturally occurring inside the body and is a product of various metabolic processes. Applying hydrogen peroxide deep within the gum tissue is a natural, safe and effective way to combat gum disease from the convenience of your home. Patients love that this is a method that does not involve antibiotics but instead uses a potent antimicrobial to fight bacteria.

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Safe for Pregnant Women

Perio Protect is also safe for pregnant women to use! In fact, according to the Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine, research suggests that the bacteria that cause inflammation in the gums can get into the bloodstream and target the fetus, potentially leading to premature labor and low-birth-weight in babies⁶. This makes it more important than ever for pregnant women to prioritize their oral health and look into safe methods like saliva testing and tray therapy to identify and combat bacteria and disease.

A Line of Defense for Healthy Smiles

Tray therapy is not just for patients who have inflammation, gingivitis or periodontitis. The hydrogen peroxide gel helps decrease the amount of tartar, plaque and build-up that can accumulate on even the healthiest smile.

In addition, if your mouth is actively fighting off bacteria, it puts your body’s immune system – which is your body’s first line of defense against invaders like germs – in the best possible position to fight other illnesses and diseases that may be happening on a systemic level.

“Your immune system is like a battery. There’s only so much that can be hooked up to it. If your body is already trying to fight disease on a systemic level, and then the harmful bacteria in your mouth begin running rampant, your immune system is going to go into overdrive and become incredibly taxed. So if you’re healthy and use a method like Perio Protect to proactively fight off bacteria in the mouth, you’re going to be set up for success to achieve your best health.” - Rylie, Registered Dental Hygienist, Alpers Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

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Steps for Getting and Using Perio Protect

If you decide to pursue tray therapy, here’s what you can expect:

Step 1 - Digital Scan

Your hygienist will take a digital impression of your teeth using our intraoral scanner. This process takes about ten minutes and provides us with highly accurate 3D images of your teeth and gums. Our hygienist will send this information off to the specialized lab so that they can make your custom fit Perio Tray™.

Step 2 - Tray Pick-Up and Fit Check

You will be notified when your trays are ready for pick-up, and we will schedule a quick office visit. At this appointment, we will try your trays on real-time and make any minor adjustments, if needed. We will also show you how to apply the gel and give you instructions on how long to wear the trays depending on your specific needs.

Step 3 - Begin the Treatment

Once you unbox the items at home and are ready to begin, you will apply a thin line of the Perio Gel™ into your trays and place them in your mouth. The general instruction is to wear the trays for 15 minutes per day, but your hygienist will provide you with your customized plan that’s best suited for your unique needs. Once the recommended amount of time is up, you’ll remove the trays and rinse them under cold water.

It’s really that easy! Your dental hygienist will monitor progress at your routine dental preventive care visits and will partner with you for any ongoing maintenance needs. You’ll know tray therapy is making a difference if you see the reduction or elimination of swollen gums, areas of bleeding, and depths of periodontal pockets.

More Benefits: Whiter Teeth and Fresher Breath

Along with the reduction or elimination of harmful bacteria, a tray therapy system like Perio Protect also contributes to a couple other advantages:

Tooth Whitening

A common side effect of using Perio Protect is tooth whitening. The 1.7% concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the gel is much lower than professional whitening products, providing a very comfortable whitening experience – especially for patients who may be more sensitive to other whitening products.

Fresher Breath

The bacteria that cause gum disease can also cause bad breath. Because the hydrogen peroxide gel is fighting daily to reduce or eliminate these bacteria in the mouth, a common side effect is the elimination of the odor that goes along with them.

Ongoing Use and Maintenance: Simple Tips

Here are a few more tips for using tray therapy:

• Add it to an existing part of your routine: While it may seem daunting to add another step to your daily routine, consider wearing the trays while you get ready in the morning, walk the dog, or wind down at night. If you pair it with something you’re already doing, it’s less of a challenge.
• Stick with the custom trays and the prescribed gel: Do not use other trays like whitening trays or nightguards, and do not use other types of gels in the trays. To be effective, you need to use the prescribed gels in the custom-fit trays.
• Use only cold water: Do not rinse the trays with hot water, which could distort them, but instead use cold water.
• Avoid abrasive materials: Do not use toothpaste or abrasives to clean them. A clean toothbrush is OK, as long as it doesn’t have toothpaste on it.
• Mind the temperature: Store your trays and gel at room temperature, avoiding extreme cold or hot temperatures. Do not place your gel in the refrigerator, and if you’re living in a hot climate, don’t leave them in your car.
• Keep them away from your furry friends: Pets love a good chew toy! Make sure your pets don’t get a hold of your trays and gels.

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Conclusion: A Healthy Mouth is the Key to a Healthier You!

In conclusion, maintaining optimal oral health is vital for your overall health. To combat the destructive bacteria that go along with gingivitis and gum disease, consider using a safe, effective, and convenient tray therapy system like Perio Protect. By using tray therapy, you can reduce harmful bacteria, achieve healthier gums, and enjoy additional benefits like whiter teeth and fresher breath. When you embrace this innovative at-home treatment, you’re taking proactive steps to protect your oral and systemic health.

We’re here to help! Call our office today to schedule an appointment with our hygienists, who will answer your questions about tray therapy and preventive dentistry.

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Sources:

1. Cleveland Clinic. (2022, October 4). Periodontitis. Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16620-periodontitis

2. Shetty, Bhavya, et al. Association between cardiovascular diseases and periodontal disease: more than what meets the eye. Drug Target Insights. 2023 Jan-Dec; 17: 31-38. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9906023/

3. Bansal, M. et al. Potential role of periodontal infection in respiratory diseases-a review. Journal of Medicine and Life. 2013 Sep 15; 6(3): 244-248. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3786481/

4. Kriauciunas A, et al. The Influence of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Bacterium Causing Periodontal Disease on the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systematic Review of Literature. National Library of Medicine. 2019;11(5):e4775. doi: 10.7759/cureus.4775.

5. Beydoun M, et al. Clinical and bacterial markers of periodontitis and their association with incident all-cause and Alzheimer's disease dementia in a large national survey. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 2020;75(1):157-172. doi: 10.3233/JAD-200064.

6. Saini, Rajiv, et al. Periodontitis: A risk for delivery of premature labor and low-birth-weight infants. Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine. 2010 Jul-Dec; 1(1): 40-42. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217279

7. Cedars-Sinai. "Diabetes and Gum (Periodontal) Disease." Cedars-Sinai Health Library, https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/d/diabetes-and-gum-periodontal-disease.html.

8. “More evidence of link between severe gum disease and cancer risk.” John Hopkins Medicine. 2018. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2018/01/more-evidence-of-link-between-severe-gum-disease-and-cancer-risk.