A gum pocket is a pathological formation that occurs in inflammatory gum diseases. According to statistics, about four out of five dental patients suffer from lesions of their mucosa. The high prevalence is explained by the fact that many people neglect regular oral hygiene practices.

These patients do not abandon harmful habits. An important role in the development of this pathological process is played by the presence of acquired pathologies of internal organs.

Let’s examine what a pathological formation like a gum pocket near a tooth represents, why it forms, and how it is treated.

Features of a Gum Pocket

Anatomically, a gum pocket is a slit-like space surrounding a dental unit. It forms between the free edge of the gum and the tooth. Normally, the bottom of the formation is located near the cervical area of the enamel at the gum groove.

In a healthy person, the gum tissue closely adheres to the tooth surface and is tightly attached to it. The permissible depth of separation is considered to be no more than three millimeters. Such a shallow space can easily self-clean from microorganisms and small food particles. For this, it is usually enough to regularly brush your teeth.

In the unfavorable course of gum inflammation, the gingival pocket expands and deepens. Dental deposits and food particles accumulate in this cavity. It becomes impossible to clean them with a toothbrush.

Plaque serves as a good nutrient medium for bacteria, provoking further intensification of the inflammatory process. Pathological changes occur in the subgingival space, such as an increase in the depth of formation and inflammation of the tissues.

Dentists also distinguish false periodontal pockets, which are formed by hypertrophied tissues. This process occurs without the destruction of periodontal structures. The gum pocket formation does not destroy the gum-tooth attachment. Deepening of the groove occurs due to tissue hypertrophy.

The formation of a pocket in the gum leads to serious complications. In the late stage of the process, the necks of the teeth become exposed. Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate into the deeper layers of tissues. Then, the underlying bone tissue and tooth roots are affected, leading to tooth loss.

Causes of Gum Pocket Formation

The formation of the gingival groove occurs due to several reasons:

Insufficient hygiene. When full cleaning of the surface is absent, bacterial plaque accumulates near the gum line. It gradually hardens and becomes tartar. If not removed, it penetrates under the gum, forming a cavity beneath it.
Poor-quality filling. Some errors in filling placement create a predisposition to pathological changes. This is especially common when a carious cavity is located in the gum area or near the contact surface.
Unsuccessful prosthetics. If the edge of a crown chronically injures the gum tissues and they do not fit snugly against the tooth surface, access for pathogenic microorganisms is facilitated.
Gingivitis. When the structures of the subgingival space become inflamed, false-type subgingival formations occur. Their development is associated with tissue overgrowth.
Periodontitis. Most often, pathological gaps between teeth and gums arise due to periodontal inflammation. As a result, the gums become inflamed. Bone rarefaction occurs, leading to the deepening of these pathological formations.

Other factors also contribute to the development of the disease. Inflammation of the gum pocket occurs due to the use of poor-quality hygiene products, excessive consumption of sweets, smoking, vitamin deficiency, and chronic diseases.

Symptoms of a Gum Pocket

Often, a dentist first detects the presence of pathological formations in the subgingival space during a routine examination. When inflammation is not pronounced, a person does not feel uncomfortable sensations.

This pathological process in the oral cavity manifests in patients with the following symptoms:

Painful sensations near the gum pocket during tooth brushing and chewing food;
Swelling of the mucosa;
Bleeding gums;
Redness of the mucosa near the teeth;
Putrid odor from the mouth;
Formation of soft plaque and tartar.

The severity of the symptoms bothering the patient depends on the intensity of the inflammatory process and its stage.

Treatment of a Gum Pocket

The inflammatory process in the gum tissue is treated by following several stages. During treatment, the following procedures are carried out:

Removal of dental deposits. They serve as the main source of bacterial infection. Cleaning of the gum pockets is performed to remove soft plaque and tartar. Several sessions are required for complete cleansing of this space.
Curettage of gum pockets. This procedure involves scraping the pathological content from the subgingival spaces. The dentist uses a laser, ultrasound, or mechanical tools for this purpose.
Conducting anti-inflammatory therapy. The doctor washes subgingival spaces with antiseptic solutions, then introduces an anti-inflammatory gel into these cavities. The patient is prescribed mouth rinsing with antiseptics twice a day, followed by the application of a special gel on the gums.
Teaching proper oral hygiene. The dentist recommends which toothbrush and paste to choose and explains how to take care of the teeth.

In severe cases, where significant bone degradation has occurred, bone augmentation is performed.

If the case is not advanced, gum inflammation responds well to therapy using modern methods. It cannot be treated independently; upon the appearance of signs of inflammation in the oral cavity, it is necessary to immediately consult a dentist.