Periodontal Disease and Tooth Whitening: What’s the Safe Way to a Brighter Smile?
As a fast, easy, and relatively affordable way to improve one’s smile, tooth whitening has become increasingly popular in recent years. So much so that it now comprises a multi-billion-dollar (and growing) consumer industry. But, with myriad whitening methods and products to choose from—including those are that are dentist-supervised in-office or at home, or over the counter—patients may be wondering which option is best suited to their oral health needs. For those dealing with periodontal disease, this question bears extra importance, as a few additional factors must be considered before taking steps toward a brighter smile.
Whitening Woes
Of course, patients experiencing symptoms of gum disease should always consult their clinician to assess risk before beginning an at-home whitening regimen. Many bleaching agents cause temporary gum irritation, and, while this is usually little more than a minor inconvenience for patients with healthy gingiva, those with moderate to severe periodontal disease may experience more troubling side effects. Whitening can aggravate existing symptoms, increasing redness, swelling, and irritation, and putting patients through added discomfort or pain. In more advanced cases of periodontitis, especially in patients with thin gingival biotype, whitening agents can even cause gum tissue to pull away from teeth, exposing sensitive roots and further complicating treatment going forward.
A Better Method
Because of the risks involved, most dentists encourage patients struggling with periodontitis to postpone whitening teeth until after their condition improves. However, not all is lost for patients who don’t want to wait for a whiter smile. The Perio Protect Method® is an innovative home-care treatment for gum disease that leverages 1.7% hydrogen peroxide gel, a tried-and-true antibacterial agent, and custom-fit Perio Tray™ delivery to disrupt biofilm and destroy harmful bacteria in gingival pockets as deep as 9mm. Conveniently, the healing peroxide used in prescription Perio Tray™ therapy is also the active ingredient found in many cosmetic whitening treatments, albeit at a lower concentration that is gentler on gums. This means that, after just a few weeks of using the Perio Protect Method, most patients can expect whiter teeth alongside a reduction in symptoms like redness, swelling, irritation, bleeding on probing, and pocket depths exceeding 4mm. As a bonus, Perio Protect fights the bacteria that cause halitosis, so patients will find they have fresher breath to complement their newly-brighter, healthier smiles.
Proven Ease and Efficacy
Non-invasive Perio Protect is indicated for early-stage gum disease through advanced periodontitis, making it an ideal adjunctive therapy to traditional home care like brushing and flossing, as well as in-office procedures such as deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) and surgery. As easy to use as it is effective, the Perio Protect Method works in just 10–15 minutes each day, so patients can achieve better oral health and whiten teeth at their leisure, whether during downtime or on the go. This convenience, combined with Perio Protect’s comfortable, patented tray design and proven track record, promotes treatment adherence, leading to health and cosmetic outcomes sure to satisfy patients and practitioners alike.
To learn more about Perio Protect and how you can offer your periodontal patients a safer way to whiten, visit their website.
