What Pocket Depths Mean for Your Gum Health
Posted on May 20, 2025
Gum pockets are spaces that are created between the gum and the tooth, which can become larger over time. As they deepen, gum pockets can cause a number of challenges, including increased tooth sensitivity, infections, or halitosis (or severe bad breath), and they can even threaten the longevity of your tooth, leaving you in need of tooth replacement options like dental implants. While gum pockets are natural, it's important that you visit a periodontist in Whitby or Oshawa for tailored treatment options, from periodontal flap surgery to root planing and scaling. At The Perio Centre, Dr. Adam Ohayon and our team of experts provide customer-centric care dedicated to protecting your smile.
Here are what different pocket depths mean for your gum health and how our trusted periodontist can help you restore your smile.
1–3 mm: Healthy Gums
When your gum pocket depths are between 1 and 3 millimetres, you're in the safe zone. This range indicates healthy gums that are tightly attached to your teeth with no signs of infection or bone loss. In this stage, periodontists recommend maintaining daily brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleanings, as these are typically all that's needed to maintain optimal oral health.
Even in the healthy range, it's important that you stay consistent with a regular oral care routine at home and timely visits to your dentist or periodontist, especially if you have a family history of gum disease or risk factors such as smoking or diabetes. If you notice changes in your gum health or have been told to visit a periodontist by your dentist, book a consultation with The Perio Centre.
However, even within this healthy range, consistent monitoring is key. Regular checkups with a periodontist in Whitby can help detect any early signs of gum disease, especially if you have a family history or risk factors such as smoking or diabetes.
4 mm: Early Signs of Gingivitis
A pocket depth of 4 mm is a warning sign of early gum disease, also known as gingivitis. At this stage, bacteria begin to collect below the gumline, triggering inflammation. You may notice your gums appear redder than usual, bleed when you brush, or feel tender.
Gingivitis is reversible with non-invasive treatments. A deep cleaning with your periodontist in Whitby that includes scaling and root planing is an effective way to remove plaque and tartar buildup, slowing or even stopping the progression of gum disease. At The Perio Centre, we offer root planing and scaling services to support your gum health.
5–6 mm: Mild to Moderate Periodontal Disease
Once your gum pockets reach 5 to 6 mm in depth, you're likely dealing with mild to moderate periodontal disease. When your gum pockets have reached this depth, any infection can progress deeper into the gum tissue and may even start damaging the underlying bone structure. Symptoms can include gum recession, persistent bad breath, and noticeable sensitivity.
At this stage, more advanced care is needed. Visiting a trusted periodontist in Whitby or Oshawa, like Dr. Adam Ohayon at The Perio Centre, can help you get the relevant treatments needed to preserve your tooth. While cleaning, root planing, and scaling may still be part of the treatment, periodontal flap surgery often becomes necessary at this point to access deeper areas beneath the gums. This procedure involves lifting the gums to remove deep-seated bacteria and smoothing the root surfaces, allowing the tissue to reattach and heal more effectively. Timely periodontal flap surgery or other periodontal treatments can minimize your risk of tooth loss, helping you to preserve your natural teeth.
7 mm or More: Advanced Periodontal Disease
Gum pockets that measure 7 mm or deeper are a sign of advanced periodontal or gum disease. At this stage, pockets can lead to severe gum recession, mobility of teeth or loose teeth, bone loss, and even tooth loss if left untreated. Because the gums are more susceptible to bacteria, infections can spread and become chronic, affecting not just your mouth but your overall health.
Advanced treatment, such as periodontal flap surgery, is often the only effective option at this point. The procedure allows for precise cleaning and may be combined with bone grafts or regenerative techniques to restore lost tissue. A periodontist in Whitby, like Dr. Adam Ohayon, can develop a personalized treatment plan to manage your condition and protect your remaining teeth. If you do experience tooth loss because of advanced periodontal disease, you can consider sophisticated replacement options like titanium dental implants to restore the function of the missing tooth.
Personalized Care for Your Gums at The Perio Centre
When gum disease progresses, it can cause many challenges, but with preventive and proactive care from your trusted periodontist in Whitby, Oshawa, or the surrounding areas, you can start eating and living more comfortably with a healthy smile. TO learn more about our treatment options and get personalized care options, book a consultation with Dr. Adam Ohayon at The Perio Centre.