How Do You Fix Exposed Tooth Roots?
If you notice changes in your gums, please see your dentist soon. This might be a sign of gum disease. It can cause serious issues if not treated promptly. If left untreated, it will result in tooth loss and other complications. The infection will progress and worsen until you stop it.
Normally, your gums are about 3 mm away from your teeth. If you have gum disease, your gums will sag away from the teeth. This now creates pockets exposing the roots. Exposed roots will increase your risk of other problems, such as an abscess, infection, or tooth fracture.
Aging and Exposed Roots
While gum disease is often the primary culprit of exposed roots, aging is a factor also. As we age, our gums recede naturally, and our teeth may become looser from changes in the muscle structure of our lips and gums. Your dentist will address your problems with exposed roots with proper treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Exposed Tooth Roots
If the gums have retracted, you will notice a gap. You can now see more of the tooth than before. More of the tooth is visibly exposed. Check your gums and teeth often during your daily routine. Common signs can be:
- Bleeding- A common sign of exposed tooth roots is excessive bleeding when you brush your teeth. If you see blood in your saliva, it might mean that your gums are inflamed, or you have gum disease.
- Sensitivity- Another sign is increased sensitivity with hot and cold food or drinks.
- Bad Breath- If your gums are infected, they will smell bad. The bacteria will cause constant bad breath and it can travel to other parts of your body.
- Tooth Misalignment- If your teeth are becoming misaligned, the roots may be showing. When your teeth shift or become crowded, this may cause the roots to be exposed.
Common Causes for Exposed Roots
Here are some of frequent reasons for exposed tooth roots:
- Receding Gums- Gum recession is your gums pulling away from your teeth, leaving exposed tooth roots. Once this starts, there is no way to make them grow back. They will recede until you might actually lose a tooth.
- Injury- If you have suffered an injury to your mouth, you might have teeth that have become misaligned. Your dentist will help avoid tooth root exposure from injury.
- Medical Conditions- If you have diabetes, lupus, or sickle cell anemia, you are more likely to have gum disease because these conditions weaken your immune system.
- Medications- Some medications will cause side effects that increase your risk of problems.
- Periodontal Surgery- If you have had periodontal surgery, your chances increase to have gum disease. Exercise proper preventative dental hygiene so your gums recover faster from the surgery.
Treatments For Fixing Your Exposed Tooth Root
Your dentist might suggest one of the following, depending on how bad the problem is:
- If your gums have receded, they may first recommend a gentle cleaning to remove the damaging plaque and tartar. If your tooth root is exposed, your dentist may suggest protecting the root with a dental bonding resin.
- If your gum recession is excessive, your dentist could recommend a gum graft or as a last resort, a tooth extraction.