The roots of your teeth help keep your teeth healthy and strong inside your gums. If your tooth roots become exposed, it can lead to tooth sensitivity and gum diseases.
The connective tissue covering the tooth root decays or wears down quickly once our gumline recedes. Once the gum starts moving away from the teeth, it will be more susceptible to bacteria and hot or cold sensations, triggering sensitivity around it.
Tooth sensitivity is one of the early signs of your gums receding, leading to tooth root exposure when left untreated. Luckily, there are many ways to treat and prevent tooth root exposure.
Here’s some vital information on how to deal with tooth roots exposed and ways how to prevent them.
The Skinny On Tooth Root Exposure
You may have a severe problem if your tooth root has been exposed. Once the tooth root is exposed, the affected tooth may rot and decay quickly as it is more accessible to bacteria. It will travel a short distance from the gums to the root and start eating away the tissues covering it.
If an exposed tooth root is left untreated, it will be prone to further damage, leading to bone loss and tooth loss. Never let the tooth decay any further, or it may travel into your bloodstream, which will later cause more severe medical conditions.
Recognizing When A Root Is Exposed
When a tooth root is exposed, your teeth will appear longer than they used to be, and prong-like projections may be visible. The rest of the tooth may be seen and may look very unusual, giving the person insecurity when they smile.
Exposed tooth roots may also give you a feeling of tender gums and extreme sensitivity when you eat. You may also notice a change in the way chewing feels. A toothache may also be present, and you may not be able to bite as hard as you used to. Your gum line will appear red and may feel sore to the touch.
Typical Symptoms Of An Exposed Tooth Root
Pain
You may have a toothache different from a cavity or gum disease. You will probably notice it on the side of your face where the root is exposed. There may also be swelling in the gum area. The gum around the tooth will be tender to the tongue or touch.
Change in chewing abilities
You may notice that chewing is more complex than it used to be. You may see that you can’t bite as hard as before and may feel like your tooth will fall out at anytime.
Sore spot on your gum line
You may notice a tender spot on your gum line. The teeth below this spot will feel fine, but the spot itself will hurt.
Be On The Look Out For These Causes (and How to Avoid Them)!
Lack of oral hygiene
If you don’t brush and floss regularly, you put yourself at risk for periodontal disease. This disease can cause the gums to recede if left untreated, exposing the root.
Eating habits
Eating hard foods or sticky candies can wear away your tooth enamel and expose the root. Chewing on the ice will also wear away your tooth enamel. Brush your teeth immediately after eating sweet foods, or gargle with mouthwash to help remove bacteria.
Age
As we age, our immune system naturally weaken and our gums tend to recede more. This can expose tooth roots and make it harder to clean around our teeth.
Other dental problems
If you have a mouth full of cavities, your teeth will be weaker and more likely to have their roots exposed. Dental problems left untreated will only lead to a more critical medical condition.
Options for Fixing Your Exposed Tooth Root
Root Canal Treatment
You might need a root canal if the tooth root was exposed due to an infection. This is a procedure where the dentist will numb the area, remove the infected tissue inside the tooth, and fill the tooth with a special paste. This will keep more infections from forming and help the tooth to heal.
Gingival Mask
If you’re experiencing several teeth root exposed, a gingival mask where the dentist will cover the exposed roots with removable artificial gums may be recommended.
Replacing the Tooth
If the root is so severely damaged that it can’t be saved, you need to have the tooth pulled and replaced with an implant or a bridge.
Suggestions For An Exposed Root Treatment
If you’ve seen the roots of your teeth are starting to show and are experiencing pain, tenderness, or difficulty chewing, you need to see your dentist immediately. Don’t wait until your teeth starts falling out!
Stay Hydrated
Drinking lots of water will help flush the infection and keep you hydrated. Keeping healthy is the best way to improve your oral condition and overall health.
Change Your Diet
Certain foods have antibacterial properties, like cilantro, ginger, and turmeric. Avoid hard and sticky candies. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables so your gums will be healthier and your teeth stronger.
Brush and Floss
Regularly brushing and flossing will help keep bacteria away. Always remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss away food stuck in the areas of your mouth that is hard to reach.
Protect the Root
You can change your habits to help keep the gum area clean to protect the exposed root. Chew on the opposite side regularly, avoid foods with seeds and nuts, and don’t chew ice.
When Roots Are Exposed Too Far For An Easy Fix
Sometimes the damage is so bad that the dentist can’t put a cap on the tooth. If the root had been exposed for a long time, it might have rotted away. In this case, the dentist will most likely need to extract the tooth.
Getting An Implant
This tooth replacement procedure takes about two or three months to heal fully. You can also get a bridge, or a permanent tooth replacement procedure.
Tooth Extractions
You may want to remove the teeth if they are badly decayed, damaged, or have large cavities. This may be the best option if they are severely broken since they will only spread the infection and bacteria to other teeth and may cause them to fall out too.
An Exposed Tooth Root Gets You To the Dentist; Now It's Your Turn to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
It is essential to have the tooth removed and replaced with an implant or bridge. Don’t let the roots be exposed any further. If the gum tissue still covers them, you may be able to clean them and take preventative measures to keep them from rotting further.
If the roots are exposed, bacteria has already entered the tooth and will damage the root and the tooth itself. If the infection has eaten away at the tooth, you will need to have the tooth removed. This can cause the gums to recede, leaving the root exposed. This is the last thing you want.
If you’ve seen the roots of your teeth and didn’t do anything about it, you need to start taking care of them. You can’t let the infection spread to the rest of your body, or the damage will worsen.
Contact A Dentist In Round Rock!
Schedule an appointment with your favorite Dentist in Round Rock if you want to know more about exposed tooth roots or if you are concerned about whether you have one. Don’t wait until the last minute until your tooth starts falling out!
If you are interested in learning more about our dental services or would like to schedule an appointment at Round Rock Dental Clinic, please contact us today!
