As a Glendora dental office committed to providing exceptional care, the staff who work at Blue Ocean Dentistry agree that educating our patients about dental hygiene is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. One topic that often arises during routine dental cleanings is the concept of dental pockets. In this blog post, we explain dental pockets. We also discuss how they form, and offer ideas for prevention and treatment.
What are Dental Pockets?
Dental pockets refer to the space between the teeth and gums where bacteria can accumulate. These pockets can deepen over time, leading to gum disease, tooth loss, and other health problems. A healthy pocket depth ranges between one and three millimeters. Anything deeper than three millimeters can indicate the presence of gum disease.
What Causes Dental Pockets?
The formation of dental pockets begins with the accumulation of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth. If not removed, plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental hygienist. Tartar buildup irritates the gums, causing inflammation and swelling. As the gums pull away from the teeth, pockets form, allowing bacteria to accumulate and causing further damage to the gums and tooth roots.
How to Eliminate Dental Pockets
Prevention is key when it comes to dental pockets. Maintaining good dental hygiene habits such as brushing twice daily, flossing, and using mouthwash can help prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. It’s important to visit your dental hygienist regularly for cleanings to remove any tartar buildup that may have occurred. If you experience bleeding, swelling, or tenderness in your gums, it is important to see your dentist immediately, as these can be signs of gum disease.
Results of Untreated Pockets
If you are diagnosed with gum disease, there are several treatment options available. The first step is usually a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing. During this procedure, your dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar from the tooth surface and roots. This can help reduce the depth of pockets and promote healing of the gums.
In left untreated, dental pockets can lead to gum disease, which is a serious condition that can result in tooth loss. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar, which irritates the gums and can cause them to become inflamed and infected. If gum disease is not treated, it can progress to more advanced stages, such as periodontitis, which can cause irreversible damage to the gums and bones that support the teeth.
Prevention & Treatment
The best way to prevent dental pockets is to practice good dental hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and using mouthwash to kill bacteria. It is also important to visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups. A dental hygienist can remove any plaque and tartar buildup before it has a chance to cause damage.
If dental pockets plague you, your dentist or dental hygienist can perform a procedure called scaling and root planing to remove the plaque and tartar buildup from the pockets. Scaling involves using a special tool to remove the plaque and tartar from the teeth and roots, while root planing involves smoothing out the rough surfaces of the roots to help the gums reattach to the teeth.
About Dr. Fred Wong of Blue Ocean Dentistry in Glendora, California
Dr. Fred Wong and the staff at Blue Ocean Dentistry use the latest available dental treatments, and materials. Everything we use makes a marked difference in our patients’ experiences. We help our patients achieve optimal dental health. We creatively combine dental science and artistry — which can literally redesign your smile. Since even a subtle change in your smile will help you to project self-confidence and high self-esteem, we love helping you feel good about yourself. We deliver the finest dental care at the most reasonable cost and accept most dental insurance plans as well as CareCredit. For more about the dental treatment plans we offer or to schedule an appointment, call today (626) 852-6999.