Is Exposed Tooth Roots an Emergency?
Sometimes, an exposed tooth root is obvious, like when the gums have receded, and the tooth root itself is visible. This might make the affected teeth appear longer than normal, and you may be able to see the tooth root itself where gum tissue is missing. Sometimes, exposed tooth roots are more difficult to spot, though there may still be symptoms that something’s amiss. Some signs of exposed tooth roots include:
- Sensitivity or tenderness when brushing or flossing
- Noticeable redness or swelling in the gums
- Discomfort when exposed to extreme temperatures or highly sweet or acidic foods or drinks, or upon biting down
- Tooth mobility
- Infection
- Radiating pain from the affected tooth to the adjacent areas of the mouth and face
- A foul taste or smell in the mouth
- Tooth discoloration
Exposed tooth roots aren’t necessarily a dental emergency, though they also shouldn’t be left alone. Because the roots of the teeth lack the protective enamel that insulates the rest of the tooth, the roots are more susceptible to bacterial accumulation and more sensitive to pressure or other stimuli. This makes exposed tooth roots increasingly prone to infection from bacteria. If your exposed tooth root leads to an infection, treatment should be considered urgent, as infected tooth pulp can be extremely painful and can lead to systemic infection that could even be life-threatening if left unaddressed.
In many cases, exposed tooth roots result from the gingival inflammation that characterizes gum disease. Again, gum disease in and of itself doesn’t constitute a dental emergency, but it can lead to painful, dangerous conditions that you’ll want to treat promptly. When gingival recession is minimal, and only a small amount of tooth root is exposed, treating gum disease with a scaling and root planing procedure can help the gum tissue return to normal, reducing the inflammation that leads to gum recession. This may be sufficient to stop the progression of gum recession and help keep the tooth roots and the rest of the oral tissues protected and healthy.
In other cases, visible tooth roots arise because of improper brushing and flossing techniques, or because of a genetic predisposition to delicate or thin gum tissue. While thorough brushing and flossing are important for oral health, it’s more important to brush and floss correctly. Your dental hygienist can review recommendations and techniques at your next appointment, showing you proper approaches to brushing and flossing that thoroughly clean the oral cavity without damaging the gum tissue. Additionally, exposed tooth roots and gum recession can be caused by tobacco use or by chronically clenching and grinding the teeth. Removing these outside forces can help restore the gums to health and slow or stop gum recession; this is done through smoking cessation programs and behavior modification, in the case of tobacco use, and through the use of night guards to reduce the effects of chronic clenching and grinding.
Sometimes, the tooth roots become exposed gradually, simply due to aging and normal wear and tear. Sometimes, tooth roots are exposed suddenly or more severely because of injury, trauma, or advanced gum disease. In cases of trauma or injury, seek medical attention right away, as there’s likely more wrong than simply exposed tooth roots. If your tooth roots have become gradually more exposed over time, make sure you see your dentist regularly so they can monitor the situation and offer solutions as needed. If you have severe gum recession due to gum disease, the first step toward solving the problem is treating the gum disease. While most exposed tooth roots aren’t considered an emergency in and of themselves, attention from a dentist is an integral part of stopping gum recession and protecting the tooth roots and the entire smile, for your future.
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