Gum disease isn’t pretty. Chronic bad breath, receding gums and “gum pockets” are warning signs of a periodontal infection. Gum pockets are bacteria-filled spaces that form around your teeth. Sounds a little scary, right? The good news is that we can reverse them with the right treatment and a commitment to good oral hygiene.
Periodontal pockets are spaces that form around teeth at the gum line when gums become infected. Gum tissue helps hold teeth in place, but when you have gum disease, some of that tissue wears away. The tissue erosion creates pockets that fill with harmful bacteria. Pockets are often a prelude to receding gums.
Inflammation and tartar buildup are two red flags for gum pockets. As with so many oral health problems, it all starts with plaque, the sticky film that builds up when you eat too many sugary foods and don’t keep up with brushing and flossing. Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis, an infection caused by plaque buildup. If you don’t treat gingivitis, it can turn into full-blown gum disease. Plaque continues to erode your gum tissue and causes pockets to get bigger. When you don’t remove plaque with brushing and flossing, it can harden into mineral deposits called tartar, contributing to gum pockets and recession. If you have signs of gum disease, your dentist will measure pockets with a periodontal probe, measuring the space in millimeters to determine severity. If spaces are 5 millimeters or larger, you’ll need treatment from your dentist.
An oral infection can have severe consequences, and periodontal pockets are havens for the bacteria that cause infection. If left untreated, gum disease can cause tooth loss and even damage your jawbone. Some of the oral health conditions associated with gum pockets include:
The good news is that we can treat and eliminate gum pockets. As with most oral health concerns, the sooner you get into your dentist’s chair, the easier they are to treat. Your dentist’s approach to periodontal pockets depends on their size and the extent of any bone damage. If your pockets are smaller than 5 millimeters, we can often treat them with good cleaning and oral care at home, including diligent brushing and flossing and an antibacterial mouthwash. Your dentist will also take X-rays to see if bone loss has occurred. If you have larger pockets and bone loss, you’ll need more aggressive treatments. The first step is a deep cleaning using tooth scaling and root planing. Your family dentist usually provides this nonsurgical procedure, using a manual or electronic scaling tool to scrape away tartar above and below the gum line. Then, she smooths out the tooth root, removing grooves in the root that allow bacteria to breed. If scaling and planing aren’t enough to tackle severe gum pockets, your dentist may recommend “flap” surgery with a periodontal specialist. Your periodontist makes incisions in your gums, allowing some of the tissue to be lifted or “flapped.” Pulling up the gum tissue enables your periodontist to go deeper with scaling and planing. As your periodontist replaces and stitches your gum tissue, they eliminate gum pockets. Your dentist may recommend regenerative surgery if you have bone loss because of periodontal pockets or receding gums. In this case, a specialist adds graft tissue from the roof of your mouth or a regenerative protein during flap surgery to bolster your gums.
As with many oral health conditions, maintaining oral hygiene is the best way to prevent gum pockets and gum disease. Steps you can take to promote gum health include:
Routine dental visits are another essential part of preventing gum disease. Seeing your dentist twice a year is one of the best things you can do for gum health. It’s an opportunity to eliminate tartar buildup you can’t get rid of at home. Regular checkups also allow your family dentist to catch any warning signs of gum disease early and take prompt (and less invasive) action.
As family dentists, one of our goals is to ensure that gum pockets and other gum disease symptoms don’t happen. Prevention is a top priority, and regular checkups are the way. However, if you experience pockets or other signs of gum disease, Greenhill Family Dental Care is here to help with no judgment. The most important thing is identifying and addressing signs of gum disease as quickly as possible. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to treat. The doctors and staff at Greenhill know that our gums are the anchors that keep our teeth strong. Let’s work together to keep them healthy.
