Exposed roots are not a good thing when it comes to your teeth. They are usually a sign of poor oral health, and even if they seem like they won’t be causing much trouble, the truth is that they can lead to more severe problems down the road.
Unevenly-shaped crowns or gingival recessions generally cause exposed roots. Since it is not very common and doesn’t happen to everyone, many people don’t know what the risks of having exposed teeth roots are or how you can prevent it from happening again.
Let us take a look at some of the common causes and how you can avoid them.
If your gums become inflamed and begin to recede from your teeth, it can expose the roots of your teeth and cause some painful sensations when you brush them, making it harder for you to clean around it.
Once the bacteria get inside the roots, they can travel through the bloodstream and cause damage to other parts of the body, including your heart and kidneys. If an exposed root is left untreated, this may lead to bone loss causing your tooth to fall off as the damage progress.
The most obvious sign that a tooth is exposed is recognizing that your tooth is longer than usual. This is due to the gums pulling away from your teeth and receding more with the plaque and bacteria present inside the mouth.
When you have exposed tooth root, the thin layer of the gum tissue that protects your teeth from bacteria causing infection tears away. A swollen and inflamed gum is also a sign of an unhealthy mouth which can progress into your gums receding.
Extreme sensitivity around the area of the tooth with receding gums may also be present. This can be recognized when eating or drinking hot and cold food.
When your teeth are whitened, or you are getting a new crown because the old one is damaged or broken, your dentist may want to take a little more off than usual. This may cause the crown to become uneven. You can avoid this problem by making sure that you speak up if you feel your dentist is taking too much off or by going to a dentist who is experienced with dental crowns.
Gingival recession is when the gum pulls back away from the teeth. This problem can occur after teeth are cleaned or removed, particularly if the patient is given a local anesthetic. Gum recession can also be caused by genetic factors, chronic gum disease, overly forceful brushing or flossing, pregnancy, or certain medications. You can avoid this problem by being gentle when cleaning your teeth and gums and keeping up with your dental visits.
Getting a dental crown to cap your teeth damaged by exposed tooth roots can help strengthen and protect it from further abrasion.
A flap surgery is done by cutting through your gums to remove the bacteria causing-disease around the infected tooth and sealing it to cover the exposed area of your tooth.
If you ever find yourself with an exposed tooth root, try to keep it clean. Use an antibacterial salt water solution, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and water. Be careful not to scrub too hard, as this can cause more damage and worsen the problem. You might also want to try using a dental dam.
Like a piece of medical tape, the dental dam can be placed over the tooth to protect it from irritation. While taking care of the exposed tooth root is essential, it is just as important to take care of the surrounding teeth and gums.
If a tooth needs to be pulled because of an exposed root, it is a good idea to visit a dentist as soon as possible. Lots of dental problems can be avoided with good oral hygiene.
If a tooth is badly decayed or broken beyond repair, the dentist may need to remove the tooth entirely. If a tooth is removed and there isn’t enough tooth remaining to support a bridge or denture, the roots may be visible. If you ever find yourself with exposed roots, don’t panic.
You should be fine if you keep the area clean and avoid unnecessary pressure. Also, it will be best to contact your dentist immediately when you have any concerns about your oral health. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
It’s essential to take good care of your teeth if you want them to last a lifetime, and it can be easy to forget when you’re dealing with the aftermath of exposed roots. Make sure you brush and floss regularly and schedule regular dental visits.
If you do these things, you should be able to avoid having a tooth root exposed. And if you do discover that your tooth root has been exposed, you can take steps to keep things clean and healthy until you see a dentist.
Contact Belmont Dental to schedule your next dental visit!