Periodontal pockets are a symptom of Periodontitis, which is basically advanced gum disease. These pockets become filled with infection over time, causing bacteria to settle in. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to treat and reduce these pockets by focusing on good oral hygiene or by choosing a variety of different dental treatments. Keep reading to learn why you don’t want to ignore periodontal pockets, the different depths associated with them, and how to identify and effectively treat them. Our offices are conveniently located near Taylorsville, North Salt Lake, Bountiful, Sandy, Draper, and West Jordan.
What Are Periodontal Pockets?
When gum disease starts to develop, it can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, creating small spaces called pockets. Healthy gums and bone usually hold teeth firmly in place, but when these pockets form, they trap bacteria that begin to erode the surrounding bone and tissue that support the teeth. If left untreated, this damage can weaken the jawbone and threaten the stability of your teeth.
What Do Periodontal Pockets Look Like?
These pockets can look like slight gaps or darker areas where the gums have started to pull away from the teeth. They often make the gumline look uneven, and in some cases, the teeth might seem a little longer than before. While you can’t always see the pockets themselves, the gums around them may appear swollen, red, or irritated. These subtle changes are often the first visible hints that bacteria and bone loss could be developing beneath the surface.
Periodontal Pocket Treatment Options
When periodontal pockets develop, treatment focuses on clearing away bacteria, reducing inflammation, and helping the gums reconnect to the teeth. The right approach depends on how deep the pockets are and how much tissue or bone has been affected. Below are the go-to treatment methods and what each one involves:
1. Professional Cleaning:
Regular dental cleanings are an important first step, especially when pockets are shallow. During these visits, plaque and tartar are removed from above the gumline, where bacteria often start to build up.
2. Scaling and Root Planing:
Often referred to as a deep cleaning, this procedure goes beneath the gumline to remove hardened tartar and bacteria. Scaling and root planing is one of the most common and effective treatments for early to moderate gum disease.
3. Pocket Reduction (Flap Surgery):
When pockets become too deep to clean with nonsurgical methods, flap surgery is often recommended. During this procedure, the gums are gently lifted back so the dentist or periodontist can remove tartar and infected tissue from the root surfaces. Once everything is clean, the gums are repositioned to fit more snugly around the teeth, reducing the pocket depth and making future cleaning easier.
4. Bone or Tissue Grafts:
If bone loss or gum recession has occurred, grafts may be used to rebuild these areas. Bone grafts replace lost bone and provide a foundation for regrowth, while tissue grafts help restore a natural gumline and protect tooth roots. These treatments strengthen the foundation around the teeth and also improve the overall appearance of your smile.
5. Antimicrobial Treatments:
To help control infection, your dentist might use medicated rinses, antibiotic gels, or localized antibiotic applications directly into the pockets. These treatments help reduce bacteria levels and inflammation.
Periodontal Pocket Depths
Dentists and periodontists measure the depth of gum pockets in millimeters using a small, thin instrument called a periodontal probe. The probe is gently placed between the tooth and gum to see how far it can slide down along the root. The deeper the probe goes, the more space there is between the tooth and gum, which signals how healthy or unhealthy that area may be.
Here is a general idea of what those measurements mean:
1–3 mm
This range is considered normal and healthy. The gums fit snugly around the teeth, and the probe only slides in a little. There is no sign of bone loss or infection.
Treatment: No major treatment is needed because the gums are still healthy. The focus at this stage is on maintaining good oral hygiene to keep things that way. Regular brushing and flossing, along with professional cleanings every six months, help remove plaque before it hardens into tartar.
4–5 mm
At this stage, early or mild periodontitis is beginning. The gums may look slightly swollen or red and can bleed easily during brushing or flossing. The probe can slip deeper under the gumline, allowing bacteria to collect in areas that are difficult to clean at home.
Treatment: The goal at this stage is to stop the infection and prevent further damage. Your dentist or hygienist may recommend a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing. This treatment removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline and smooths the tooth roots to help the gums reattach. You might also be advised to use a medicated mouth rinse or antibiotic gel to reduce bacteria in the area. At-home cleaning alone won’t be enough at this stage.
5–7 mm
This range points to moderate periodontitis. The infection has moved deeper, causing more noticeable inflammation and bone loss around the tooth. Gums might start to recede slightly, and teeth could feel a bit looser than normal.
Treatment: Professional help is more important than ever at this point. Deep cleaning with scaling and root planing is usually the first step. Keep in mind that it might take several appointments to clean each affected area thoroughly. In some cases, your dentist or periodontist might place localized antibiotics into the pockets to help control infection and reduce inflammation. You’ll likely need more frequent cleanings to monitor healing and prevent bacteria from returning.
7–12 mm
This depth is a clear sign of advanced periodontitis. The supporting bone and tissue have been severely affected, and deep pockets have formed. Teeth may shift, become very loose, or even feel painful when chewing. At this stage, the damage is significant and can threaten the stability of multiple teeth.
Treatment: Deep cleaning alone is usually not enough at this point. Your periodontist may recommend surgical procedures such as flap surgery to lift the gums and remove deep tartar deposits or bone grafting to rebuild areas of bone loss. In some cases, guided tissue regeneration or soft tissue grafts may be used to help the gums and bone recover. Regular periodontal maintenance visits and a strict home care routine are crucial for successful healing during this phase.
What Are The Risk Factors of Periodontal Pockets?
If you aren’t making a dedicated effort to floss and brush daily, you’re putting yourself at risk of developing gingivitis. If you’re someone who loves sweets and sugary drinks, you’re actually accelerating your chances of not only gum disease, but tooth decay as well.
Risk factors for periodontal pockets include:
- Stress
- Aging
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Medications that cause dry mouth
- Hormonal changes
- Cancer treatments – compromised immune system
- HIV
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Leukemia
- Genetics
- Crohn’s disease
What Are The Dangers of Periodontal Pockets?
We already know that periodontal pockets filled with bacteria can lead to bone and tissue loss, but the effects can become much more severe. Once that infection takes hold, it can spread through the bloodstream and trigger inflammation elsewhere in the body. Over time, that ongoing inflammation has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, and even respiratory problems.
The Periodontal Pocket Guide Conclusion
Knowing the best way to handle periodontal pockets is important to prevent infection and bacteria from spreading and causing serious bone loss. Obviously, preventing these pockets from happening in the first place is the ideal scenario. However, if your gum disease is advanced and you’re unsure of the best treatment to pursue, our team at Utah Periodontal Specialists can help. We have locations in both South Jordan and Salt Lake City to make it easier than ever to make your oral health a top priority.
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