Is Exposed Tooth Roots An Emergency
An exposed tooth root is a common problem that many patients face and there are a number of problems that can cause an exposed root. When a patient has an injury to the tooth or gum, breaks a tooth, or has crooked teeth, they may have a higher risk of root exposure.
The most common cause of exposed tooth roots is gum disease which most often develops because of poor oral hygiene. Some patients are at higher risk of developing gum disease due to genetics or even because of underlying medical conditions or certain medications.
What causes an exposed tooth root?
An exposed root is a result of something else going on. Here are some of the main causes of an exposed tooth root.
Gum Disease: Gum disease develops when plaque and bacteria are not removed regularly through good oral hygiene with proper brushing and flossing. When plaque is allowed to accumulate, it calcifies into tartar and can no longer be removed on your own with simple brushing and flossing. Tartar can only be removed with a professional cleaning at your dentist’s office. Some patients may require a deep cleaning with anesthetic to get their gums back to a healthy state.
Infection: When gingivitis is left untreated, advanced periodontal disease and infection can lead to gum recession. The pockets between each tooth and the surrounding gum tissue can begin to recede when infection develops. At this point, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause other health problems.
Dental Trauma: When you suffer a trauma to your teeth such as in a car accident or during physical activity, the tooth can be damaged and even break. A tooth fracture can reach down into the root and cause a lot of pain and even root exposure.
How do I know if I have an exposed tooth root?
When the gum tissue begins to pull away from the tooth surface, the underlying root can become exposed and lead to extreme sensitivity and pain. Fortunately, there are a few treatments if it happens.
You may be able to see that your tooth appears longer than usual, which is a sure sign of an exposed tooth root. Patients may also experience pain or increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages and sugars. And as with a lot of dental issues, pain is another sign that you may have an exposed root.
The extent of pain you experience will often depend on the severity of damage. Some patients may have a minor ache when others may not feel any pain at all. Still others may have severe pain that needs to be treated immediately. 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.
An exposed tooth root does not necessarily qualify as an emergency but dental issues will not resolve on their own and need to be treated as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the tooth and surrounding areas.