There are various warning signs associated with gum disease, such as bleeding and swelling. However, one symptom you may not have heard of is the formation of periodontal pockets. What exactly is a periodontal pocket? What does it mean for your oral health? And what steps should you take to treat it? Learning the answers to these questions is essential if you want to keep your smile safe.
What is a Periodontal Pocket?
Normally, your gum tissue should be snugly attached to the roots of your teeth, holding them in place and providing protection against bacteria. However, if you’re suffering from gum disease, your gums may start to pull away from the teeth. The resulting gaps between the teeth and the gum tissue are known as periodontal pockets.
Why are Periodontal Pockets a Problem?
Periodontal pockets can ultimately make gum disease even worse. They provide a space where harmful bacteria can easily accumulate and cannot be removed with regular brushing and flossing. Over time, these bacteria can make the already existing infection even worse and significantly damage your gum and bone tissue. If periodontal pockets aren’t properly addressed, they can ultimately lead to tooth loss.
How Will You Know If You Have Periodontal Pockets?
The most reliable way to know if you have periodontal pockets is to visit your dentist for a checkup. Using special instruments, they can measure any gaps between your teeth and gums. A periodontal pocket that’s four or more millimeters in depth is seen as a warning sign of the early stages of gum disease. A pocket with a depth of seven millimeters or more indicates severe gum disease that has already led to notable tissue loss.
What Can You Do About Periodontal Pockets?
Your dentist will need to consider the size and depth of your periodontal pockets in order to determine your best option for treatment. In many cases, they may recommend scaling and root planing. The scaling step involves cleaning all the way down to the bottom of the pockets to remove plaque and tartar. After that, root planing is performed to smooth out your tooth roots. This encourages the gum tissue to reattach to the teeth, thus reducing the depth of the pockets.
Ignoring periodontal pockets is never a good idea. As soon as you’re told that there’s too much space between your teeth and gums, it’s important to take whatever steps are recommended to address the issue and protect the long-term health of your smile.
About the Practice
At Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Weatherford, our three dentists combine their expertise to bring our patients truly exceptional care. When you visit us, we’ll strive to make your experience one worth smiling about. Our comprehensive menu of services includes scaling and root planing as well as other solutions for gum disease. If you’re concerned about the health of your gums, you can schedule an appointment at our office by visiting our website or calling (817) 594-3806.