Untreated gum disease can result in a number of symptoms, including gum tissue that is unusually swollen or tends to bleed easily. In particularly advanced cases, you may even develop periodontal pockets, which are small gaps that appear between the gum tissue and the roots of your teeth. If you want to protect the health of your smile, it’s worth learning as much as possible about periodontal pockets, as well as what options are available for treating them.
What Exactly is a Periodontal Pocket?
A periodontal pocket appears when your gums separate from your teeth. This is due to tissue erosion; when you have gum disease, harmful bacteria attack the gum tissue around your teeth. As the tissue is lost, empty space forms between the gums and the teeth.
Are Periodontal Pockets a Serious Oral Health Problem?
The simple answer is yes; if periodontal pockets aren’t treated, they can have very serious consequences for your smile. The now-empty space will allow plaque and tartar to accumulate beneath your gumline. If these harmful substances aren’t removed in time, they can significantly weaken the underlying bone and connective tissues. This can result in your teeth becoming loose to the point where they could eventually fall out.
How Will You Know If You Have Periodontal Pockets?
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to tell whether you have periodontal pockets just by looking at your mouth in the mirror. A trained dental professional will need to perform a thorough examination in order to diagnose this particular issue. If you have noticed any other warning signs of gum disease, such as frequent oral bleeding, gum recession, or constant bad breath, make an appointment with your dentist immediately so that they can help you figure out the full extent of the problem.
What Treatment Options are Available for Periodontal Pockets?
The primary way to treat periodontal pockets that have occurred due to gum disease is a deep cleaning procedure that consists of scaling and root planing. Scaling is the process of getting rid of any plaque or tartar from the area around and below the gumline, including the bottom of your periodontal pockets. After scaling comes root planing, which involves smoothing out the roots of the teeth, giving the surrounding gum tissue a chance to reattach itself.
Do you have reason to think you’re suffering from gum disease that could result in periodontal pockets? Reach out to your dentist immediately; the sooner you act, the sooner you can get the care you need to get the health of your smile back on track.
About the Practice
At Baltimore Dental Arts, our team consists of multiple dental experts with years of experience who are able to offer a comprehensive menu of services that can help our patients enjoy healthier smiles. For those with gum disease, we offer scaling and root planing along with other treatment options. To schedule a consultation with our team, visit our website or call (410) 372-0202.