During a routine dental visit, you may hear your hygienist call out a series of numbers around each tooth. While they can sound confusing, those measurements play a critical role in evaluating your oral health. They refer to the space between your tooth and surrounding gum tissue, called a gum pocket, and they help identify early signs of periodontal disease. 

Understanding what these numbers mean allows you to take a proactive approach to protecting your smile. Whether your readings are within a healthy range or signal a developing issue, knowing when a gum pocket becomes a concern allows you to act quickly. In this blog, we break down pocket numbers, what affects them, and steps to take to improve your gum health.

Understanding Your Gums

Your gums are the firm, light pink tissue that fits snugly around your teeth. They play an incredibly important role in protecting your teeth and jawbone. When your gums are healthy, they provide a strong seal for your teeth, keeping them anchored to your jawbone. Additionally, they act as a layer of protection against bacteria, plaque, and debris. 

When they fit snugly against your teeth, they prevent nerve exposure, which can otherwise result in tooth pain when eating, drinking, and speaking. However, when you have unhealthy gums, you may notice changes in the appearance of the tissue along your teeth, including the development of gum pockets. 

These pockets act as the perfect place for plaque, bacteria, and food debris to accumulate, putting you at an increased risk of developing periodontal disease and cavities. If you notice any changes in the appearance of your gums or are experiencing unexplained tooth or jaw pain, it’s best to reach out to your dental office to schedule an appointment. 

What Do the Numbers Your Hygienist Calls Out Mean? 

As a part of your oral exam, you may notice your hygienist using a small probing device and calling out numbers. But what do these numbers mean? This device, also known as a periodontal probe, is a thin, blunt-tipped instrument with millimeter markings that is used to measure the depth of your gum pockets.

As they call out these numbers, the depth of your gum pockets are being recorded in your file. When they are healthy, you may have pretty shallow pockets. However, as you develop gingivitis or periodontitis, you may begin to notice deeper, more significant gum pockets. On average, healthy gum pockets are between 1 and 3 millimeters deep.

If these pockets are 4 millimeters deep, this often signifies that you are experiencing the earliest signs of gingivitis or mild gum disease. As you progress to 5 millimeters and beyond, this means you are likely experiencing periodontal disease, which has a lifelong impact on the health of your gum tissue. 

Why Do They Track Gum Pocket Depth?

Your dental team will pay close attention to the depth of your gum pockets, especially if you are on the cusp of or have already been diagnosed with periodontal disease. If you were experiencing gum swelling and deep pockets and sought proper treatment, it can take up to a week for the pockets to begin to shrink. 

By the next time you visit your dentist for a cleaning, your gum pockets should have healed. If they measure these pockets and you’re still experiencing deep pockets or severe inflammation, this may be an indication of further problems, including an inadequate at-home oral hygiene routine that may need to be addressed and remedied. 

In-Office Treatment for Deep Gum Pockets

The first step in recovering from gum pockets that are 4 millimeters or deeper is to seek in-office treatment. There are a few treatment options your dentist and hygienist may recommend, including: 

• Scaling and Root Planing: The most common treatment for minor inflammation and individuals with early gingivitis is scaling and root planing. This treatment removes plaque and tartar from beneath your gumline that may contribute to this inflammation. Once this debris is cleared, they’ll smooth the tooth root to allow gum reattachment. 
• Pocket Reduction Surgery: For more severe buildup, your dental team may recommend pocket reduction surgery. During this procedure, they will remove the tartar from the deep roots of your teeth, lift the gum tissue, and reshape the bone to ensure your gums fit tightly over the tooth and you can avoid repeat gum problems. 
• Gum Grafts: Patients who are experiencing severe gum recession may need to have gum grafting performed. Your dental team will remove any severely damaged gum tissue and take tissue from the roof of your mouth or donor tissue to attach above your tooth, helping you begin recovering. 
• Antibiotics: In addition to performing scaling and root planing and a few surgical options, your dentist may also prescribe an antibiotic or an antimicrobial gel. This can help address excessive bacterial growth in your mouth that is accumulating in these gum pockets, ensuring you recover properly from your treatments. 

Tips for Improving Your Gum Health At Home

It isn’t just the treatment in office that impacts whether you’ll develop recurring deep gum pocket problems. What you do at home also plays a major role in your gum health. If you want to ensure you are protecting your gums between dental cleanings, make sure to do the following:

• Brush twice a day to loosen food debris and address bacteria in your mouth that may contribute to inflammation. 
• Floss one or more times a day to remove debris at and below your gumline and between your teeth. 
• Limit or eliminate your use of tobacco products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and chewing tobacco. 
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash that is designed to help prevent plaque buildup on your teeth.
• Remember to attend your twice-yearly dental cleanings to avoid repeat gum health problems.

Achieve Better Gum Health with Our Team Today

If you’ve struggled with your gum health and recurring gum pockets in the past, trust that our team at Mountain View Dental is here and ready to help. For decades, we’ve helped patients achieve better oral hygiene habits, eliminate their risk of developing recurring gum health problems, and reach the smile of their dreams. Whether you have mild gingivitis or more severe periodontal disease, we’re here and ready to help.

When you are ready to schedule an appointment with our team, don’t hesitate to contact us.