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