Teeth roots can be exposed for several reasons. The primary reason tooth roots show is that the gum recedes from the tooth. When that happens, bacteria will start infecting the root of your tooth and eventually break through the surface, leading to an exposed tooth root.
Recognizing an Exposed Tooth Root
Signs of an exposed tooth root commonly include a visible tooth root, increased sensitivity, or swelling of gum tissue. Other symptoms might be an increased amount of plaque forming or a foul smell from the mouth.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best to visit your dentist soon. The best way to identify and treat an exposed tooth root is to check your teeth regularly.
Common Symptoms of An Exposed Tooth Root
The symptoms associated with an exposed tooth root can vary. The most common symptoms include swelling, sensitivity to hot or cold, pain, a foul smell from the mouth, and an increase in plaque on the tooth.
Pain may be the most obvious symptom. Most exposed tooth roots are painful, but not always. Some exposed tooth roots might not cause any pain at all.
The extent of the pain can vary depending on the severity of the issue. It may cause a slight ache in the teeth. In other cases, the pain could be so severe that it prevents you from doing certain activities.
Exposed Tooth Root Common Causes
There are a lot of different causes of tooth roots being exposed.
- Injuries to the gum- The gum tissue may also be damaged if a tooth has been injured. If the gum tissue is damaged, it cannot hold the tooth in place, resulting in an exposed tooth root.
- Gum disease- When the gum tissue is inflamed, it will likely recede from the tooth.
- Infections- Tooth root infections can also cause the gum tissue to recede. If the gum tissue recedes, the tooth root can be exposed.
- Breakage- A tooth root may also become exposed if there is a break in the tooth.
- Misalignment- Improperly aligned teeth may also cause the gum tissue to recede, exposing the tooth root.
- Other issues- Sometimes a cyst or cyst-like growth might cause the gum to recede from the tooth exposing the tooth root.
Treatments for Correcting Your Exposed Toot Root
There are a few solutions for fixing an exposed tooth root. Some options might be temporary fixes, while others are permanent. Your dentist will evaluate and help you decide which option is best for you. Some of the more common options for fixing an exposed tooth root include:
- Root canal therapy- A root canal is used to treat both teeth and tooth root infections. It can also treat exposed tooth roots by removing the infected core of the tooth.
- Removal of the tooth- It might be the best solution to remove the tooth entirely. This can be done through surgery, or if the tooth is decayed and cannot be saved, it may be removed with a dental extraction.
- Implant- A dental implant is a tiny titanium screw that is placed into the jawbone. Functioning as an artificial root, it is designed to hold a false tooth in place.
