Has your dentist mentioned to you that you have deeper than normal gum pockets? Typically, it’s detected when there are deeper spaces around your teeth where the gum tissue attaches. they are caused by bacteria and are typically known as “periodontal pockets.” When left untreated, it can lead to further deterioration and even tooth loss. However, when diagnosed in its early stages there are viable treatment options. Catching it early can lead to a full recovery and ensure you maintain healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime!
How Gum Pockets Form
In a healthy mouth, your gums fit tightly around your teeth. The normal distance between the gum tissue and where it is attached to the tooth is only about one to three millimeters in depth. With bacteria in your mouth always fighting for control, you have to stay on top of proper oral health responsibilities such as brushing, flossing, and consistent, professional cleanings. Buildup of bacteria causes plaque to form as a sticky substance on your teeth. If that plaque is left to sit on the teeth, tartar forms. Tartar is a hardened form of plaque that cannot simply be removed by brushing. These toxins eventually buildup on your teeth and gum line, creating inflammation of your gum tissue. This inflammation is also called gingivitis.
The inflammation and swelling due to the buildup of plaque and tartar causes a formation of gum pockets between the attachment of the gum to the tooth. The gum pocket creates the perfect home for more bacteria, plaque and tartar to live. This causes bone loss around your teeth.
How gum pockets are first detected
If you visited your dentist for a cleaning and examination for the first time in a long while, they may have told you warning signs of gum disease are visible. Red, swollen gums that have pulled away from the teeth are a sure sign. If you haven’t been to a dentist but have noticed this, don’t wait any longer! Dr. Reinhart and Dr. Moore, at Midway Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, have the skills and training necessary to treat gum disease and help in your recovery. We can show you how to get back on track with perfect oral hygiene. You can rest assured that any fears you may have about going to the dentist will change when you visit our office. Our team is 100% committed to provide a comfortable experience for all our patients.
How to Eliminate Gum Pockets
Dental cleanings every six months are recommended as part of your path to be gum disease-free. Having professional cleanings or scaling and root planning can remove all the tartar that has formed under the gumline. This will help begin the healing process and the tightening of any gum pockets that may have formed. With regular visits and periodontal treatment, as well as your commitment on your own to oral health care at home, we can successfully treat your gums. Treating gum disease in its earliest stages can help prevent periodontal pockets from forming in the first place. If you’ve been putting off a visit to the dentist, now is the time to book an appointment and let’s make sure everything is as healthy as possible in your mouth!
Reach out to our team at Midway Family and Cosmetic Dentistry located in Alpharetta, GA and serving the surrounding areas including Cumming, GA and Forsyth County. You can call us at 678-393-1868 or fill out the form on this page. One of our friendly associates will be back in touch with you soon and we can go over various options with you. We look forward to serving you!
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