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Gum pockets are spaces between teeth and gums, with healthy patients having small pockets. Periodontal disease causes pockets to increase, trapping infected material and leading to tooth decay. Dentists evaluate gum health with a probe and offer treatments such as hygiene changes, mouthwash, and surgery. Deep pockets can indicate gum disease, while shrinking pockets show improvement. Patients must continue dental care to prevent recurrence.
Gum pockets are spaces between the edges of the gums and the teeth. Healthy patients typically have very small gum pockets, reflecting the presence of strong, healthy connective tissue. People with periodontal disease will experience an increase in the size of the gum pockets, caused by the breakdown of the collagen used to hold the gums in place. This can be dangerous to the patient’s health, as any pocket can trap infected material and contribute to tooth decay and other oral health problems.
When people go to the dentist for checkups, one of the things the dentist will do is evaluate the health of their gums, also known as gums. An instrument called a periodontal probe can be inserted into the gum pockets to see if they are unusually deep or have changed in size since the last visit. Your doctor will also look for evidence of gum recession, along with other warning signs such as swelling and redness around your gums.
The deeper the gum pockets, the more debris they can collect. People with periodontal disease accumulate food debris, bacteria, and other materials. These can create infections, resulting in bone loss around the jaw and teeth, loss of the outer protective layers of the teeth, and damage to the gums themselves. If left untreated, the consequences can be serious. Patients can lose their teeth and can experience complications such as bacteraemia, where bacteria enter the bloodstream and put the patient at risk of sepsis.
If a dentist identifies deep gum pockets and other signs of gum disease, surgeries may be offered. These may include changing your dental hygiene habits, increasing the amount of brushing and flossing. A special mouthwash can be used to keep the mouth healthy, and patients may also need to make dietary changes. Patients will also need careful cleanings and frequent checkups. In some cases, surgery may be necessary, although the goal is to identify gum disease before it requires surgical treatment.
Dentists will note the depth of the gum pockets on patient records for future reference. If your pockets start to get deep quickly, your doctor will want to find out why. If they shrink, it shows that a patient is responding to treatment for gum disease and their gum health is starting to improve. Over time, connective tissue can recover, providing more protection for your teeth and jaw. The patient will still need to pay attention to dental care to prevent recurrence of the disease.
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