Periodontal pocket

A healthy gum fits snugly around each tooth. When plaque builds up below the gum line, the gum pulls away from the tooth and forms a space called a pocket. Bacteria collect in the pocket, and daily brushing cannot reach them. The ADA says plaque gets trapped in these pockets and cannot be removed with regular brushing. Pockets that grow deeper can lead to bone loss around the tooth. A dentist or hygienist measures them with a small probe, which is called probing depth. A deep cleaning called scaling and root planing cleans inside pockets. See gum disease and our periodontal care page.