Periodontal disease or periodontitis is an inflammatory and progressive condition which causes damage to gum tissue and bone.  If left untreated, periodontal disease can ultimately lead to tooth loss.  Fortunately, there are several ways to treat periodontal disease, including through the use of a procedure known as pocket irrigation.

The objective of pocket irrigation or oral irrigation is to remove plaque from between the teeth (interdental region) and beneath the gum line (subgingival region).  By doing so, the growth of harmful bacteria is prevented.  During pocket irrigation, antibiotics can also be delivered to the subgingival region.

Reasons for Pocket Irrigation

Pocket irrigation can be used by dental professionals for a variety of preventative purposes.  In some cases, it may be recommended that patients perform pocket irrigation at home with a special oral irrigation device.  The following are some primary examples of how pocket irrigation can be helpful:

• Interdental cleaning: Pocket irrigation cleanses the interdental regions of plaque, food particles, toxins and debris.  By removing such harmful substances, the gum pockets will be cleaner and the gum tissue will be healthier.

• Prevention of bad breath: Bad breath or halitosis is often caused by tooth decay and by food debris trapped between teeth.  By flushing harmful debris and particles out from beneath the gum line, pocket irrigation can help to reduce oral odors.

• Subgingival cleaning: As pocket irrigators feature a rounded tip, they are able to clean and flush out harmful particles from beneath the gum line without causing damage to the gum tissue.

• Antimicrobial application: Pocket irrigators can be used to deliver antimicrobial agents beneath the gum line.  Antimicrobial agents can effectively prevent the growth of certain strains of oral bacteria.

The Procedure

Your dental health provider may recommend that you use oral irrigation at home if you have difficulty flossing or if you have periodontal disease.  When performed by a dental professional, pocket irrigation is often used in conjunction with other treatment methods.  For example, pocket irrigation is often used in combination with professional deep cleanings and pocket reduction surgery.

When used in combination with professional deep cleanings, pocket irrigation may be used to clean out gum pockets following scaling and root planing.  In some instances, the pocket irrigator may also be used to deliver an antibiotic to the subgingival region in order to reduce and prevent the colonization of harmful bacteria.  In the case of pocket reduction surgery, oral irrigators may also be used to clean out gum pockets and to apply antimicrobial agents.

If you have any questions about pocket irrigation, cleaning your teeth, periodontal disease and treatment, please ask Santa Monica Dentist Cameron Torabi.