A Brighter Dental Experience
Perio Protect Gum Disease Treatment in Beverly Hills
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and it often progresses quietly, with little pain until real damage is done. Perio Protect is a non-surgical way to fight it at home. You wear custom prescription trays that carry medicated gel below the gumline, into the pockets where the bacteria behind gum disease live and where a toothbrush and floss cannot reach. At Applemint in Beverly Hills, Dr. Helene Julius uses Perio Protect together with professional cleanings to bring gum inflammation under control and keep it there.
Benefits
- Non-surgical treatment you do at home in minutes a day
- Delivers medication below the gumline, where brushing cannot reach
- Complements deep cleanings and helps extend their results
- Custom-sealed trays made from a digital iTero scan
- Also helps keep the gums around dental implants healthy
- Progress measured at each visit, so you can see it working
Understanding Gum Disease
Gum disease starts when bacteria build up in a sticky film along and below the gumline. In its early stage, gingivitis, gums become red, swollen and bleed easily, and the damage can be reversed. Left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis: the gums pull away from the teeth to form pockets, and the infection begins to break down the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place.
Common warning signs include:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste
- Gums that are receding or teeth that look longer
- Teeth that feel loose or are shifting
- Pockets of 4 millimeters or more measured at your checkup
If you notice any of these signs, schedule an evaluation. Gum disease is far easier to control the earlier it is caught.
Research has also linked gum disease with other health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease, which is one more reason to treat it early.
How Perio Protect Works
Brushing and flossing clean the surface of your teeth and gums, but the bacteria that drive gum disease hide in pockets below the gumline. Perio Protect trays are custom-made with a seal along the gums that holds a prescription peroxide gel in place and gently guides it down into those pockets.
The gel releases oxygen, which helps break up the bacterial film and creates an environment the harmful bacteria cannot tolerate. Used daily as prescribed, usually for a few minutes at a time, it keeps working between your professional cleanings instead of letting bacteria rebuild.
Who Perio Protect Is For
- Patients with gingivitis or early to moderate periodontitis
- Patients who have had a deep cleaning and want to keep inflammation from returning
- Patients with dental implants, to help keep the surrounding gums healthy
- Patients looking for a non-surgical option or to delay or avoid gum surgery
- Patients with health conditions, such as diabetes, that make gum inflammation harder to control
Advanced periodontitis may still need specialist care or surgery. Perio Protect can be part of that plan, and we will tell you honestly if you need a referral to a periodontist.
Perio Protect and Deep Cleanings
Perio Protect is not a replacement for professional care. For established gum disease, treatment usually starts with scaling and root planing, often called a deep cleaning, to remove hardened deposits from the roots of your teeth. Perio Protect then works at home to keep bacteria from repopulating the pockets while your gums heal, and afterward to help maintain the improvement between regular periodontal maintenance visits.
Caring for Your Trays
Rinse your trays after each use, brush them gently with a soft toothbrush and let them air-dry in their case. Keep your gel as directed and bring your trays to your appointments so we can check the fit. Some patients notice their teeth look slightly brighter over time, a side benefit of the peroxide gel.
The Process, Step by Step
Gum evaluation
Dr. Julius measures the pockets around each tooth, checks for bleeding and reviews X-rays to see how far gum disease has progressed.
Professional cleaning
We remove plaque and tartar, with a deep cleaning below the gumline if needed.
Custom trays
We take a digital iTero scan, and your Perio Protect trays are made to seal closely against your gums.
Daily home treatment
You wear your trays with the prescription gel for a few minutes each day, as directed.
Progress checks
We re-measure your gum pockets at follow-up visits and adjust your home routine as your gums improve.
Your Perio Protect Dentist
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does Perio Protect work?
- Custom trays hold a prescription peroxide gel against your gums and guide it down into the pockets where gum disease bacteria live, reaching places brushing and flossing cannot.
- Is it a replacement for deep cleaning?
- No. It complements professional care. Many patients have a deep cleaning first, then use Perio Protect at home to keep bacteria from returning and to support healing between visits.
- How long do I wear the trays each day?
- Usually just a few minutes, once or more a day, depending on your prescription. We set your schedule based on the health of your gums and adjust it as they improve.
- Does Perio Protect hurt?
- No. Most patients find it comfortable. Some notice mild tingling or temporary sensitivity when they first start, which usually settles quickly.
- How soon will I see results?
- Many patients notice less bleeding and swelling within a few weeks. We confirm progress by re-measuring your gum pockets at follow-up visits.
- Can Perio Protect help with dental implants?
- Yes. The gums around implants can become inflamed just like gums around natural teeth. Perio Protect trays can be made to fit around implants to help keep that tissue healthy.
- Will I need gum surgery?
- Not necessarily. Many patients with mild to moderate gum disease control it without surgery. If your case is advanced, we will discuss whether a referral to a periodontist is the best next step.
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