Causes of a gingival pocket

The most common cause of gingival pockets is gingivitis or periodontitis. Therefore, the reasons for the development of a gingival pocket and periodontitis and gingivitis are very similar. Insufficient oral hygiene plays the biggest role in the development of gum pockets (especially cleaning of the interdental spaces).

However, certain medications as well as hormonal changes or reduced salivation, malpositioned teeth (and thus more difficult dental care), diabetes and smoking can also contribute to the formation of gum pockets. Gum pockets can also affect patients whose immune system has been deliberately paralysed (e.g. after an organ transplant). In daily oral care, it is therefore important to completely eliminate bacterial plaque as the main factor in the development of gum pockets.

With the help of plaque-coloring tablets or liquid that make the plaque (dental plaque) visible, it is possible to remove it with a toothbrush and interdental brushes and dental floss. Children and seniors need special assistance in this process, as the fine motor skills of one target group are not yet fully functional, and the other group is no longer fully functional. The dentist and his team will be happy to help with any questions regarding correct dental care. You can also inform yourself under: How to remove plaque

Complications

In case of an inflamed gum pocket, the dentist should be consulted. Home remedies, such as chamomile or rinsing solutions with chlorhexidine are helpful and should only be used for a short period of time. The dentist can clean and disinfect the gingival pocket with anti-inflammatory drugs under local anesthesia.

In principle, however, it is recommended that the entire oral cavity is cleaned by a professional dental cleaning followed by a so-called full-mouth disinfection (disinfection of the mouth and throat including the tongue). After approx. one week, a pocket depth measurement can then be taken.

Also a germ removal from the clean tooth for germ determination (amount and type of germs) can be carried out from the pocket. The main treatment is carried out after prior approval by the health insurance company. Under local anesthesia, the pocket and the corresponding tooth and root surface are cleaned with curettes (special instruments for the removal of tartar and biofilm).

If the depth of the pocket exceeds 6mm, a surgical treatment method, i.e. additional exposure of the surgical area, is necessary to clear the inflammation and to achieve a successful treatment. This also applies if the non-surgical therapy could not achieve success.Pus is the union of bacteria, proteins and cell and tissue residues that occurs during inflammation. Depending on its composition, the color is white-yellowish cloudy or slightly reddish (may contain red blood cells).

Pus is generally found in infected wounds or abscesses and can therefore also be found in large or inflamed gum pockets. An abscess usually results from an untreated inflammation that spreads further into other tissues. An inflamed gum pocket can develop into a pus-filled abscess in the oral cavity.

In general, an abscess is not to be trifled with. Because the growing abscess displaces tissue, it can become dangerous near the throat. There is a threat of shortness of breath.

Therefore, a visit to the dentist is highly recommended if an abscess is suspected in the mouth. In principle, gum pockets can become as deep as the roots of the teeth where they develop are long. However, if the inflammation has caused bone loss, there is a risk of tooth loss because there is no longer sufficient support. In this case it is chronic periodontitis.