Is Exposed Tooth Roots An Emergency
There are a number of reasons that a patient may experience exposed tooth roots, though some causes are more common than others. If a patient suffers an injury to the tooth or gum, breaks a tooth, or has misaligned teeth, they may be at higher risk of root exposure. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent root exposure and treatment if it happens.
The number one cause of exposed tooth roots is gum disease which develops most often with poor oral hygiene. Some patients are simply at higher risk of developing gum disease due to underlying medical conditions, certain medications, or genetics. When the gum tissue becomes infected, they can become inflamed and begin to pull away from the tooth structure. This is called gum recession and left untreated, recession can quickly cause root exposure.
Symptoms of Exposed Tooth Roots
The most obvious sign of an exposed tooth root is a visible root which may present as your tooth appearing longer than it has in the past. You may also notice pain or increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages and sweets as well as swelling or tenderness in the gum tissue. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible to determine the cause. All of these symptoms can also be indicative of another dental problem which still needs attention.
The extent of pain associated with an exposed tooth route will largely depend on the severity of damage. You may have a slight ache or may not feel any pain at all whereas some exposed roots can be incredibly painful.
Causes of Exposed Tooth Root
As we recently discussed, there are many different causes of root exposure. Your dentist will be able to provide a variety of treatments, and the best option for you will depend on the severity of damage. Here are some of the main causes of and exposed tooth root.
Gum disease: This is the most common cause of exposed tooth roots. Gum disease develops when plaque and bacteria are not regularly removed with proper brushing and flossing. Oral hygiene is the best way to prevent dental issues but when plaque is allowed to accumulate and calcify into tartar, you can no longer remove it on your own with simple brushing and flossing. Tartar can only be removed with a professional cleaning. Your dental hygienist has tools to remove plaque and bacteria buildup to get your teeth back in shape!
Infection: Left untreated, gum disease can quickly turn into an infection, leading to gum recession. When an infection invades the gum pockets and is not taken care of, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause other health problems.
Broken tooth: if a tooth breaks, that fracture can reach down into the root and cause a lot of pain and root exposure. Additionally, the gum tissue can also be damaged and cause recession.
The most important thing is to see your dentist for any pain or sensitivity. You may not think it is bad enough and an exposed root does not necessarily constitute an emergency. But, dental issues will not resolve themselves and need to be attended to as soon as possible to avoid further damage.