How Do Gum Pockets Form?

What Does Bone Graft Have To Do With Dental Implants TreatmentGum pockets form from the effects of periodontal disease or when gum disease advances. To prevent this from happening, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes and floss once a day for the same length of time.

The Formation Of Gum Pockets

Each tooth’s gum tissue and bone should fit snugly around a tooth, much like a turtleneck does around a person’s neck. When you have advanced gum disease or periodontal disease, the supporting bone and tissue deteriorate and form pockets around the teeth. The pockets become deeper with time and provide a space for the bacteria in the mouth to live. As the bacteria develop and accumulate around the teeth, they start to advance beneath the gingival tissue, which causes even more bacteria to form and bone loss to accelerate.

Measuring The Pockets

That is why, when we check you for gum disease, we use a probe that measures pocket depth. This instrument allows us to determine your gum disease’s extent and the resulting damage to gums and teeth. Naturally, the deeper the depth of the pockets, the worse of the disease. Without this measurement, we would not be able to plan a course of treatment.

Reducing Pocket Depth

Suppose your gum pockets are too deep to clean with daily at-home oral care or a professional care regimen. In that case, we will recommend you undergo a periodontal pocket reduction procedure to remove the disease-causing bacteria under the gum tissue before securing it back in place. We may also smooth irregular surfaces of the bone that has been damaged to get rid of hidden bacteria. This procedure allows the gingival tissue to reattach itself back to the healthy bone. This type of treatment plan helps prevent the damage caused by the advancement of gum disease. By combining a regular oral hygiene routine with professional intervention and pocket reduction surgery, we can significantly increase the chance of preserving your natural teeth and eliminate the health issues related to advanced gum disease.

Do you need to seek our help? Do your gums bleed when you brush? If so, give us a call today to schedule an appointment. Don’t wait until your gum disease progresses to the point that it is difficult to manage.