{"id":926,"date":"2026-08-15T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalspecialists.com\/blog\/2026\/08\/15\/what-are-periodontal-pockets-how-to-fix-them\/"},"modified":"2026-08-15T07:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T07:00:00","slug":"what-are-periodontal-pockets-how-to-fix-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalspecialists.com\/blog\/2026\/08\/15\/what-are-periodontal-pockets-how-to-fix-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Periodontal Pockets: What Are They? How Do You Get Rid of Them?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Illustration<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Healthy gums should fit snugly around your teeth, helping protect the roots and supporting the structures underneath. When gum tissue becomes inflamed or infected, it can begin pulling away from the teeth and create spaces called periodontal pockets. These pockets can be an early warning sign of gum disease<\/a> and should not be ignored.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Are Periodontal Pockets?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A periodontal pocket is a space that develops between the gum tissue and the surface of a tooth. Dentists measure these spaces during a periodontal examination using a small instrument called a periodontal probe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthy gum tissue generally has shallow spaces around the teeth. As gum disease progresses, bacteria and plaque can accumulate below the gumline. The body’s inflammatory response can damage the gums and supporting bone, causing the pockets to become deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deeper pockets can make it increasingly difficult to clean the area with regular brushing and flossing. This creates an environment where more bacteria can accumulate, potentially leading to additional gum and bone damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Them?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Periodontal pockets are most commonly associated with periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease. Plaque buildup is a major contributor, but other factors can increase the risk of developing gum disease, including smoking, certain medical conditions, genetics, poor oral hygiene, and hormonal changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs that may accompany periodontal pockets include red or swollen gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, gum recession, loose teeth, or changes in how your teeth fit together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Get Rid of Periodontal Pockets?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Periodontal treatment can often reduce pocket depth and improve gum health. Treatment depends on how advanced the gum disease has become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For mild cases, professional dental cleanings and improved daily brushing and flossing may help control inflammation. Your dental professional may recommend a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing when plaque and tartar have accumulated beneath the gumline. This procedure removes harmful deposits from the teeth and smooths the root surfaces, making it easier for the gums to heal and reattach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more advanced gum disease, additional periodontal treatments may be necessary. A periodontist may recommend procedures designed to access deeper areas, reduce pocket depth, regenerate damaged bone or tissue, or otherwise restore periodontal health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early Detection, Oral Hygiene are Key<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Want to do your part to help prevent periodontal pockets from ever developing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n