What Is a Periodontal Pocket?

In a healthy mouth, gums fit tightly around each of your teeth. Here you’ll only find a one to three-millimeter-deep distance between the tooth and the gums it’s attached to. Unfortunately, when you have gum disease you may have a deeper space here. This is what’s known as a ™periodontal pocket.™

How Periodontal Pockets Form

Your mouth’s bacteria are continually forming a sticky film called plaque around your teeth, especially around your gums. When this plaque isn’t removed, it will grow even harder and become what’s known as tartar. Unfortunately, you can’t simply brush away tartar. You’ll need to come to our office to have it professionally removed. As this bacteria’s toxin continues forming your gums will grow inflamed and we’ll diagnose you as having what’s known as gingivitis or gum disease.
According to the National Institute of Health, pocket formation may also result from the fact that plaque and tartar cause inflammation and swelling. When this happens, your gums start to pull away from your teeth – like a turtleneck that’s been stretched out one too many times. Of course, this becomes an endless cycle because then plaque and tartar have even more places where they can hide. As such, the periodontal pocket will grow even deeper. Eventually all this will start threatening your bones that surround your teeth too.

Eliminating Periodontal Pockets

The best way to eliminate these pockets is to prevent them from forming in the first place. This is done by maintaining good oral health habits at home – including brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash twice daily. It’s also important for you to visit our office at least twice a year for a professional cleaning and checkup so we can get to those hard to reach places that you can’t easily get to while you’re at home. Make sure you call today to set up your next appointment.