A periodontal pocket refers to an unusually deep gingival sulcus. When the sulcular depth exceeds three millimeters, regular brushing cannot effectively remove debris from the area. At this point, dental intervention is necessary in order to thoroughly clean the infected area. If a deep gingival sulcus is not attended to, debris build-up could lead to a weakened tooth due to loosening of the attachment fibers that hold teeth in place.

If attachment fibers have not been weakened due to a deepened sulcus, the periodontal build-up is referred to as a gingival pocket. A gingival pocket can be reversed by changing basic oral hygiene habits. Contrastingly, if the attachment fibers have been damaged as a result of a deepened gingival pocket, then the area is referred to as a periodontal pocket.

Periodontal pockets are discovered after dental probing reveals bleeding. Since the periodontal pocket area is extremely sensitive, the slightest amount of probing will produce inflammation and bleeding. A periodontal pocket must be attended to immediately in order to remove any bacteria.

Removing debris and bacteria from a periodontal pocket requires a number of steps. Dental professionals first work to remove bacteria without resorting to surgical procedures. Scaling and debridement techniques are employed to remove as much bacteria as possible. If removal of debris is not possible without surgery, a dental professional may opt to perform root planning.

Root planing involves the mechanical removal of bacteria from the gingival sulcus. This procedure often requires numerous dental visits, and patients may be given local anesthesia. On occasion, a patient's occlusion might also be adjusted. Following the successful removal of bacteria, patients must adhere to a strict dental cleaning routine.

Patients who have been treated for periodontal pockets are required to visit with a dental professional every three months. The purpose of these visits is to thoroughly clean the affected area, and to ensure that the area does not become repopulated with bacteria. In addition, a regular brushing routine should be adjusted in order to prevent further bacteria from emerging.

If an effective dental regimen is not adopted, patients risk further infection. In turn, another periodontal pocket will require additional probing, surgery, and cleaning. In order to prevent any kind of oral bacteria from forming, regular dental check-ups are recommended. In most cases, oral bacteria build-up can be avoided if it is noted in a timely manner.

Some home remedies exist that will effectively remove some bacteria from the infected pocket areas, though these homeopathic solutions cannot remove calculus formations, rendering these solutions short-lived.