The experience of a dentist or hygienist gently “poking” your gums while calling out a series of numbers is a routine part of a comprehensive oral health examination. This procedure is formally known as periodontal probing or charting. It is a non-invasive assessment performed to gather precise, measurable data about the condition of your gums and underlying bone structure. These measurements help dental professionals detect issues like gum disease in its earliest stages, often before you notice any symptoms yourself.
The Purpose of Periodontal Probing
The primary goal of periodontal probing is to measure the depth of the sulcus, the shallow, V-shaped space between the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue. A small, calibrated instrument called a periodontal probe is gently inserted into this space until it meets the point where the gum tissue attaches to the tooth root. The probe has thin markings along its length, similar to a tiny ruler, allowing the clinician to record the depth of this space in millimeters.
In a healthy mouth, the gum tissue is tightly sealed against the tooth, resulting in a shallow sulcus depth. However, when bacteria and plaque accumulate beneath the gumline, they can cause inflammation, leading to the tissue detaching from the tooth. This detachment deepens the sulcus, creating what is known as a periodontal pocket. Measuring the depth of these pockets is a direct way to gauge the extent of gum disease and the stability of the support structures around each tooth.
Understanding Your Gum Score
The numbers you hear being called out are the measured depths of these pockets around six specific points on every tooth. These numerical scores are the key indicators used to assess and track your periodontal health over time. A measurement of one to three millimeters (1–3 mm) is considered healthy and indicates tightly attached gum tissue.
When measurements reach four to five millimeters (4–5 mm), it suggests the presence of early to moderate periodontitis, requiring increased attention. At this depth, the pocket is often too deep for routine brushing and flossing to effectively clean, allowing bacteria to thrive. Measurements of six millimeters (6 mm) or more signal advanced periodontitis, which is associated with significant loss of the supporting bone structure.
The presence of bleeding when the probe is inserted is an important factor, as it confirms active inflammation in the tissue, even if the pocket depth is still relatively shallow. By combining the numerical score with observations of bleeding, your dental team can accurately determine the severity of any gum disease and the potential for further bone loss.
Treatment Based on Probing Results
The results of the probing directly determine the type of professional cleaning and ongoing care necessary to restore or maintain health. If the scores are consistently low (1–3 mm) with no bleeding, a standard dental cleaning is sufficient to remove plaque and tartar above the gumline. This routine care helps prevent disease from developing.
When deeper pockets are present, starting at four millimeters or more, a specialized procedure called scaling and root planing (often referred to as a “deep cleaning”) is recommended. This non-surgical treatment involves carefully removing hardened tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces far below the gumline. The goal is to eliminate the source of the infection, allowing the gums to heal and reattach more firmly to the tooth surface.
For very advanced cases, particularly those with measurements of seven millimeters or greater, non-surgical treatment may not be enough to fully manage the disease. In these situations, your dental professional may recommend a referral to a specialist for surgical interventions. These procedures, such as pocket reduction surgery or bone grafting, access and clean the deep pockets and attempt to regenerate lost tissue.