During a dental check-up, you may have heard your dentist or hygienist calling out numbers while gently measuring around each tooth. These numbers describe the depth of the gum pockets, the small spaces between your gums and teeth. Understanding what they mean helps you track your gum health and take an active role in your care.
Healthy gums fit snugly around each tooth, leaving a shallow space called the sulcus. When gums become inflamed and gum disease develops, the attachment between the gum and tooth breaks down, and the space deepens into a pocket. Deeper pockets trap more bacteria and are harder to clean, allowing gum disease to progress.
The dentist or hygienist uses a thin, blunt probe marked in millimetres. It is gently slid between the gum and tooth at several points around each tooth, usually six. The measurements are recorded in a chart, along with any bleeding, recession or tooth mobility. The process is usually comfortable, though inflamed gums may feel slightly tender.
Generally, measurements of one to three millimetres without bleeding indicate healthy gums. Four millimetres may indicate early gum disease, especially with bleeding. Five millimetres or more often indicates periodontitis with some loss of support. Your dentist will interpret the numbers together with X-rays, bleeding and other findings, rather than relying on a single number.
Bleeding when the gums are measured is a sign of active inflammation. Even shallow pockets that bleed need attention, while deeper pockets that do not bleed may be stable after treatment.
Shallow pockets with inflammation often improve with professional cleaning and better home care. Deeper pockets usually need scaling and root planing. Some persistent deep pockets may require further treatment.
Comparing pocket charts over time shows whether gum health is improving, stable or worsening. Ask your dentist to explain your chart and any changes.
Good brushing, cleaning between teeth and avoiding smoking help pockets shrink and stay healthy.
Pocket depth is only part of the picture. Your dentist also records gum recession, where the gum has pulled back from the tooth, exposing the root. Combining pocket depth and recession gives a measure of attachment loss, showing how much support the tooth has lost overall. A tooth may have shallow pockets but significant recession, which still indicates past gum disease. Understanding both measurements helps your dentist plan the right treatment and monitor changes accurately over time.
Pockets around back teeth, especially between the roots of molars, can be particularly difficult to clean, both for patients and professionals. Pockets next to crowns, bridges or crowded teeth can also be challenging. If certain pockets remain deep despite treatment, your dentist may recommend additional cleaning, specialist referral or other approaches. Consistent home care focusing on these areas makes a big difference to long-term results.
Usually one to three millimetres without bleeding.
Yes. With treatment and good home care, pockets often reduce.
It is usually comfortable, though inflamed gums may be tender.
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