Periodontal pocket which is new to most patients is actually an important indicator of periodontal disease. Thus it is good to know the position and other detailed information about periodontal pocket.

Periodontal pocket, a frequently used term in clinical periodontology, is not only a key parameter in the periodontal examination, but also an important indicator in the periodontal treatment. However, most patients have no idea of where the periodontal pocket is, and how it looks like.

We will elaborate on it below.

What is periodontal pocket? Where is it?

In healthy teeth, gums are firmly attached to the teeth. But in the case of periodontitis, gums will separate from the tooth root after being stimulated by the inflammation. As a result, a pocket-like space forms between the gums and the tooth root. That is periodontal pocket.

Is periodontal pocket visible?

Periodontal pocket is invisible and undetectable by patients themselves, because it is covered by gums, and a special detection tool is required. So, don’t check the periodontal pocket by yourself out of curiosity, as this may result in bad outcomes. Go to a professional dental hospital for the dentist’s help. The dentist can examine the periodontal pocket with a special device.

Periodontal pocket is invisible, but periodontal disease can be identified by symptoms.

Periodontal pocket is an important indicator of developing periodontitis, but it is invisible and undetectable by patients themselves. So the identification of periodontitis must rely on other symptoms like unpleasant odor in the mouth, swollen gums. Loose teeth, gum recession and tooth sensitivity are signs of severe periodontitis.

If you have the above symptoms, go visit the dentist in timely manner. The dentist will check the depth of your periodontal pocket and evaluate whether it can treated by dental cleaning or dental cleaning + scaling, or systematic periodontal treatment.