I have pocket depths of three and my gums bleed. What does that mean?

During a visit to your regular dentist they take an instrument called a, “probe” and begin to call out numbers. The probe is measuring healthy pocket depth. If you are free of gum disease you should have numbers that are between one and three. However, if you hear pocket depths of four and five this is an indication of periodontal disease. The gum depth is measured in millimeters. And it is possible to have healthy gums on one side of your mouth, while having deep pockets and bleeding in another quadrant.

When you have pocket depths that are higher than three the gums are inflamed. As periodontal disease progresses the pocket get’s bigger and bacteria and pus fill the pocket. This progression of disease then moves from gingivitis to periodontitis.  When this occurs, “the gums are probably bleeding,” according to Dr. Rice, “and you may have moderate bone loss.”

When Dr.Denine Rice at Rice Periodontics and Implant Surgery is checking pocket depths and your gums begin to bleed it means you have the beginning signs of periodontal disease. This will not go away on it’s own and it can lead to more serious problems. For example, periodontal disease that is not taken care of can lead to bone loss and you may end up loosing your teeth.  

Although, this may seem like a minor situation this is very serious and requires an appointment with the periodontitis in order to determine which treatment is necessary.