Poor oral habits contribute to gum disease, which, if not addressed, can advance to a more serious condition called periodontitis. This degenerative ailment is characterized by inflammation of the gums, bone deterioration, and eventual tooth loss. As gum disease progresses, it creates deep pockets in the gums that provide an ideal environment for bacterial growth and plaque accumulation, exacerbating the condition.
Thankfully the Hollywood, Florida dentist, possesses extensive expertise in addressing gingival pockets with effective periodontal treatments such as pocket irrigation. Continue reading to explore the details of this procedure.
What is pocket irrigation?
Pocket irrigation, a dental procedure, aims to remove debris, plaque, and other buildup from interdental and subgingival spaces. It utilizes a specialized tool known as a pocket irrigator.
Exploring the benefits of pocket irrigation
The following benefits make this procedure popular:
Subgingival cleaning
- Pocket irrigators have rounded end tips, preventing damage to the soft tissue below the gum line. The bacteria, plaque, and toxins can be easily flushed out subgingivally.
Interdental cleaning
- The interdental gum tissues remain healthy since the pocket irrigators can eliminate the plaque and debris from between the teeth.
Preventing halitosis (bad breath)
- Bad breath or halitosis could result due to the food particles combining with bacteria to produce foul-smelling by-products. Regular brushes or dental scrapers alone cannot reach the depths of the gum pockets. This is possible through powerful yet gentle water jets that flush out foreign particles.
Antimicrobial application
- Antimicrobial agents can be used in combination with water jets or used alone, which can prevent or kill some strains of harmful oral bacteria.
How is pocket irrigation performed?
Pocket irrigation is usually performed as a part of professional dental cleaning or along with surgical procedures like pocket reduction surgery.
Used with the deep cleaning procedure
Your dentist will use a pocket irrigator after routine scaling and root planing to cleanse the pockets.
An antimicrobial agent may be applied to reduce subgingival oral bacteria.
Used in combination with pocket reduction surgery
Your dentist will eliminate calculus (hardened plaque) and subgingival plaque with special scaling and root planing instruments. An antimicrobial agent will be applied through an oral irrigator to eliminate any remaining subgingival bacteria.
Used at home
Your dentist can recommend pocket irrigation at home as a part of your daily routine using a water jet or water pick. This is considered less harmful than dental flossing.
If left unchecked, gum disease can inevitably result in tooth loss. It’s crucial to contain the infection. Regular dental check-ups are vital for preventing this, as they may include interventions like pocket irrigation, which can halt further deterioration and enhance your overall well-being.
