If you recently discovered that you have gum disease or your dentist mentions “pockets” or “pocketing” around your teeth, you may not be familiar with all that the condition entails. Periodontal pockets are a specific concern that is found in people with gum disease, with the depth of each pocket dictating the stage or severity of their periodontal infection.
Every tooth has what’s called a “sulcus” around it. The sulcus is a 1-3mm deep space between the top of the tooth and where the surrounding gum tissues attach to the tooth root.
However, when plaque bacteria accumulate inside of the sulcus and are not removed, they cause the gum tissues to detach from the root surface of the tooth. In turn, this creates a “pocketing” effect around the tooth. Anything deeper than 3mm is considered a periodontal pocket with unhealthy tissue attachment.
As periodontal pockets deepen, they also cause the surrounding bone tissue to deteriorate (resorb.) The deeper the pocket is, the less support that tooth has. At a certain point, deep periodontal pockets become impossible to maintain on your own and the tooth becomes mobile or falls out.
Professionally cleaning periodontal pockets can help stop the cycle of gum disease and prevent additional tissue detachment. When paired with specific oral hygiene techniques like water flossers, it’s possible to avoid tooth loss and help prevent the spread of infection to adjacent teeth.
But the side effects of deep periodontal pockets go well beyond just tooth loss. They can also interfere with your overall wellness.
Your smile can’t afford to overlook periodontal pockets around your teeth. Talk to a periodontist near you to discover which treatment is best to protect your smile, and your health!