What is Periodontal Charting?

What is periodontal charting?
Why does the Hygienist call out numbers like 2, 3, 3, 4, 6, and 2 when you’re in for a checkup visit? Does this mean something?
Yes! These numbers do mean something. The numbers that the hygienist calls out coincide with periodontal pocket depth, a way to measure gum tissue health. It is also called periodontal charting.
Periodontal charting measures where the tissue and the tooth attach. The reason for this is to determine how healthy the gum tissue is around the entire tooth.
A very healthy tooth is 2-3 mm which means that the bone is at a normal and safe level. This indicates you have low periodontal risk. For patients in this risk group, 6-month continuing care visits work great.
Areas that are deeper than 3mm means that you may be at risk for periodontal disease and your cleanings may require a little extra TLC. The periodontal charting is for dental hygienists to keep an accurate record of the depths of your pockets and the health of your gum tissue over time.
The best way to prevent gum disease is effective daily brushing and flossing as well as regular professional examinations. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent home dental care, people can still develop some form of periodontal disease. Once this disease starts, professional intervention is necessary to prevent its progress.
For more information on periodontal disease visit https://www.drsamromano.com/services/gum-periodontal-disease/