An exposed tooth root occurs when the gum tissue around a tooth pulls away from the surface of the tooth and exposes the underlying root. This can be a painful condition resulting from an injury, medication, an underlying medical condition, or gum disease.
Is an exposed tooth root an emergency?
The root of a tooth can be very sensitive when exposed and is more susceptible to decay, so while it may not necessarily be an emergency, it is an issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. There are a few treatment options available, and your dentist will determine the appropriate treatment, depending on the cause and severity of your exposed tooth root.
Some medications have gum recession as a side effect, so if that is the case for you, your dentist may advise that you speak with your prescribing doctor to see if there is an alternative medication that you can take instead.
If you experience trauma to your mouth from an accident or fall, it is ideal to see your dentist for an evaluation to make sure that you do not have a fractured tooth. If a tooth is fractured, that crack can extend down into the root, causing extreme pain and even root exposure. When the root fractures, the tooth may need to be extracted.
For patients who have gum disease, the risk of experiencing an exposed tooth root is vastly increased. Poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of gum disease and can cause a lot of issues if left untreated. In its early stage, gum disease is called gingivitis and is identified by red, tender gum tissue that bleeds upon brushing and flossing. At this point, no real damage is done, and gingivitis is pretty simple to clear up, but if you do not take the steps necessary to get rid of gingivitis, it can quickly progress to more advanced periodontal disease.
Once gingivitis turns into periodontitis, irreversible damage begins. When the gum pockets accumulate tartar and bacteria, the gum tissue begins to pull away from the surface of the tooth. This leads to exposed tooth roots.
If you experience dental trauma, you may need to be more urgent about getting to your dentist. Physical activity, contact sports, accidents, or falls can result in a hit to the mouth that really does need to be evaluated by your dentist.
An exposed tooth root may not be considered an emergency that needs to be attended to the moment you notice it, but it is not going to improve on its own. An exposed root will only get worse and can lead to bone loss in the area. And this, of course, can eventually lead to tooth loss. Speak with your dentist if you suspect you have an exposed tooth root so they can begin treatment as soon as possible.
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