“What are periodontal pockets?”
After my wisdom teeth came in, my dentist told me that I have gotten periodontal pockets because they were positioned poorly. Can you explain what periodontal pockets are?
2 Answers
Loss of bone around teeth that is caused by gum disease
There is normally a 1-3 mm deep crevice between the gums and teeth. When bacteria accumulate in these crevices, it causes the gums to detach from the teeth, so the crevices become deeper than normal. These deeper crevices are called pockets. Pockets are difficult to keep clean and can become infected, and the bacteria damage the bone holding your teeth in place, so eventually you can lose your teeth.
