Periodontal (gum) disease affects over 47% of the US population over the age of 30, representing roughly 65 million people. Many patients remain undiagnosed until significant damage has occurred. One of the many adverse effects of gum and bone disease is deepening of the periodontal pockets, which leads to increase amounts of hard plaque deposits (known as tartar or calculus). Calculus formation causes bleeding and sore gums, gum recession, looseness and shifting of teeth, and eventual tooth loss. Keep reading to learn more about periodontal pockets and how they relate to gum disease. If you notice any of the gum disease warning signs outlined in this post, make sure you visit a periodontist right away to explore your periodontal therapy options.
What are Periodontal Pockets?
Periodontal pockets are the spaces between the teeth and gum tissue. Healthy gums pockets are closely attached to teeth, ranging between two and three millimeters. Patients are able to clean and maintain these smaller pocket depths because typical homecare instruments (toothbrushes, floss, water irrigators, etc.) can remove soft plaque and early tartar buildup. In patients with gum disease, the gum tissues (including the connective tissue layer) are broken down and the periodontal pockets become larger. This inevitably invades the bone and causes bone loss, gum inflammation and bleeding.
How do They Predict Gum Disease?
One of the many side effects of gum disease is the loss of connective tissue between the teeth and gums. As plaque/tartar build up at, and below, the gum line, the tissues that attach the gums to the teeth are damaged and break down. This creates deeper pockets between teeth and gums. During regular dental checkups, your periodontist should measure the depths of your periodontal pockets. This is called periodontal charting. Patients with healthy gums will have periodontal pockets between 2 and 3 mm deep. When periodontal pockets are greater than 4 or 5 millimeters deep, patients are at greater risk for gum disease and should seek periodontal therapies. Only periodontists are trained at properly diagnosing and treating periodontal disease and offering multiple treatment options to save your teeth.
How is Gum Disease Treated?
There are a wide range of treatments for gum disease. In early stages, more frequent professional cleanings may be adequate to renew oral health. Patients with the more advanced form of gum disease, called periodontitis, require more extensive treatments. A deeper cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing, which is the physical removal of plaque and tartar buildup underneath the gums. Oral and/or topical antibiotics may be used in conjunction. Your periodontal specialist may also recommend a variety of surgical procedures and other therapies if pockets are very deep and tartar is significant.
Meet Dr. Carnow
At Frisco Periodontics and Dental Implants, we offer a wide range of services to renew oral health for patients with gum disease, replace missing teeth, and more. Zachary Carnow, DDS has years of training and experience as a periodontist. These dentists have advanced training in treating oral health concerns that affect supportive gum and bone tissue. Our Frisco periodontal team regularly works with your general dentists to create effective treatment plans to improve oral health and keep patients smiling. Contact our caring team to find out more or schedule your periodontal care today.