What if You Have Exposed Tooth Roots?
Teeth roots can be exposed for a variety of reasons. The main reason tooth roots show is that the gum recedes away from the tooth. When this happens, bacteria will begin to infect the root of your tooth and eventually exposing the tooth root.
Recognizing an Exposed Tooth Root
Signs of an exposed tooth root usually include a visible tooth root, an increased level of sensitivity, or swelling of the gum tissue. Other symptoms can be an increased amount of plaque accumulating or a foul odor from your mouth.
If you experience one of these symptoms, it is wise to visit your dentist soon. The best way to both identify and treat an exposed tooth root is to check your teeth consistently.
Common Symptoms of An Exposed Tooth Root
The symptoms from an exposed tooth root will vary. The most frequent symptoms include swelling, pain, increased sensitivity to hot or cold, a foul odor from your mouth, and a buildup of plaque on the tooth.
Pain might be the most obvious symptom. Most often exposed tooth roots are painful, but every time. Some exposed tooth roots may not be painful at all.
The extent of the pain will vary depending on the severity of the exposure. It might cause a slight ache in the tooth. Sometimes the pain can be so severe that it affects you doing certain activities.
Exposed Tooth Root Common Causes
There are many different causes of tooth roots being exposed.
- Gum injuries - The gum tissue can also be damaged if a tooth has been injured. If the gum tissue becomes damaged, it cannot hold the tooth properly in place, resulting in an exposed tooth root.
- Gum disease- When the gum tissue is inflamed, it can recede from the tooth.
- Infections- Tooth root infections may also cause gum tissue to recede. If the gum tissue recedes, the tooth root will be exposed.
- Breakage- A tooth root can also become exposed if there is a break in the tooth.
- Misalignment- Improperly aligned teeth can also cause gum tissue to recede, causing exposed tooth roots.
- Other issues- Sometimes a cyst or cyst-like growth may cause the gum to recede from the tooth exposing the tooth root.
Treatments for Correcting Your Exposed Toot Root
There are several solutions for fixing an exposed tooth root. Some options can be temporary fixes, while others are permanent. Your dentist will exam, evaluate, and help you decide which option is best. Some of the more common options for treating an exposed tooth root include:
- Root canal therapy- A root canal is used to treat teeth and tooth root infections. It can also treat exposed tooth roots by removing the infected center of the tooth.
- Removal of the tooth- It could be the best solution to remove the tooth completely. This can be done with a dental extraction or with surgery if the tooth is decayed and cannot be saved.
- Implant- A dental implant is a tiny titanium screw that is surgically placed into your jawbone. Functioning as an artificial root, it is designed to support a false tooth.