The roots of our teeth keep our teeth anchored within the jawbone, and the health of our tooth roots is crucial to the integrity of our smile. If gum tissue begins to recede and exposes the root surface, teeth are vulnerable to a number of problems. Exposed tooth roots are a pretty common problem that many adult patients face at some point in their lives, but it is important to have them treated as soon as possible to avoid lasting damage.
Signs of Exposed Tooth Root
One of the more common symptoms of an exposed tooth root is sensitivity. Many patients experience tooth sensitivity in general, but when the root is exposed, sensitivity tends to be severe. Another key signifier of an exposed route is that your tooth physically appears longer than it used to be. This is because when the gum tissue begins to recede away from the surface of the tooth, it actually reveals underlying tooth structure.
Gum recession is most often an indicator of gum disease. When the pockets between the gum tissue and each tooth are infected with tartar and bacteria, the tissue begins to pull away from the surface of the tooth, exposing the root. Tartar builds up when plaque and bacteria are not regularly removed with brushing and flossing every day. Plaque accumulates quickly, and if it is not removed daily, it does not take long to calcify into tartar, at which point it cannot be removed with a toothbrush and floss but requires a visit to your dental hygienist.
Gum disease is not the only reason that gum tissue may recede. Dry mouth and other oral issues, as well as some medications, can lead to gum recession and exposed tooth roots.
Prevent Exposed Tooth Roots
As with most dental issues, the easiest way to prevent problems is with proper oral hygiene. This includes good home care as well as regular visits to your dentist for a professional cleaning at least twice a year. Patients at a higher risk of developing gum disease may benefit from having their teeth professionally cleaned more frequently; your dentist can help determine a good recall schedule for your individual needs.
For those patients who are genetically predisposed to periodontal issues or are on medication that causes dry mouth, gum recession and exposed tooth roots may be harder to prevent. It is important for these patients to adhere to the recommended cleaning schedule set by your dentist because paying for one or two additional cleanings per year is much less costly and less painful than enduring treatment to correct gum recession and the problems it causes.
Exposed two roots are common, but can be very painful and cause severe damage if not treated properly. If you recognize any symptoms of gum disease or gum recession, see your dentist as soon as you can to get an evaluation and hopefully prevent root exposure.
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