Gum pockets are a sign that something is wrong with your mouth. You have gum disease. Gum disease affects millions of adults and is the most likely cause of tooth loss. Here is some information about what gum pockets are and how you can keep your gums healthy.
How Gum Pockets Happen
Gum pockets are spaces that appear between your teeth and the gum line. Ordinarily, your gums are attached to your teeth, and there are no spaces between them. However, when you have serious gum disease, called periodontitis, spaces begin to develop, separating your teeth and gum line. If you don’t get your gum disease treated, those spaces- also called pockets- will continue to grow. Eventually, you can lose teeth due to gum disease.
Gum disease doesn’t occur overnight. Many people are in Stage One of gum disease, called gingivitis. When you have gingivitis, your gums may bleed when you brush or floss them. Your gums can also look red and swollen. You can treat gingivitis by brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist.
If You Have Gum Pockets
What if you have already been diagnosed with gum pockets? There are things you can do to fight your gum disease. First, work with your dentist to make sure you are brushing and flossing your teeth effectively. The healthier your teeth and gums are, the less likely you are to lose teeth.
Next, if you have pockets in your gums, you will want to make sure they are treated once every four months. A dentist can clean your teeth thoroughly, even if you have gum pockets. The intensive cleaning is called scaling, and it is tooth-saving. Many people worry about having their gums cleaned, but it is a great way to keep your gums as healthy as possible. If you are worried about pain during the procedure or you are nervous, be sure and talk to the dentist about medication or sedation. That way, you and your gums can benefit.
