Dental health is essential for your general well-being, your appearance, and your personal confidence. Unfortunately, dental problems are more common than you might think. While some may not appear to be particularly serious, they can have long-lasting consequences if left untreated.
As such, you must be diligent in caring for your teeth. Unfortunately, even the most meticulous of people may find themselves with exposed roots from time to time.
When this happens, you must take steps to address the problem quickly and effectively before it has a chance to cause any further issues. You should know everything about exposed roots and their potential implications for your dental health.
Over time, the roots of your teeth can become more exposed due to a few different factors. Most notably, it’s not uncommon for your gums to recede and expose your teeth roots as you age. This is because teeth are naturally porous, and the roots are the parts that connect to your bone.
As such, the roots of your teeth will naturally absorb toxins or bacteria in the bloodstream through osmosis. Conversely, if you have gum disease, it can also result in the roots of your teeth becoming exposed.
For example, if your gums are inflamed or swollen, they can recede from the teeth, making the roots much more visible. Fortunately, this is an issue that is typically extremely easy to spot. Early detection will be best to help save your gum and teeth and keep your natural smile.
When your tooth roots are exposed, they are usually relatively easy to spot. This is because they will appear as a darker portion of the tooth. You can also feel the exposed part of the tooth with your tongue if you feel along the edges of your teeth.
If you notice that a tooth is sensitive, it could be due to an exposed root. Even more notably, A loose tooth in the mouth is another sign that you have an exposed root.
There are different ways how to check if you have exposed tooth roots.
First, you can use your tongue and try to feel around your teeth and gums for anything different from the surrounding tissue. If you notice something that doesn’t seem like it should be there, it’s a good bet that your root is exposed and needs to be treated.
You can also use a mirror to peer into your mouth and look for anything that looks abnormal. Your tooth may appear longer than usual when your tooth roots are exposed due to the gums receding.
When your tooth root has been exposed, it can be susceptible. This is because the cells that usually protect the root have been disrupted. As such, even a soft-bristled toothbrush can feel like sandpaper.
If a tooth root has been exposed, it’s not uncommon for the tooth to become loose. This can mean that the blood supply to the tooth has been interrupted. If this occurs, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible.
If bacteria has been able to infiltrate the root of your tooth, it can cause an infection. This can lead to swelling, pain, and even abscesses if the issue is not treated promptly.
If your tooth roots are exposed, it’s essential to determine the cause to prevent it from reoccurring. Fortunately, there are a few potential causes of tooth root exposure that you can easily avoid. They include:
Bad oral hygiene can be the cause of any dental problems, including tooth root exposure. If you are not cleaning your teeth properly, it can lead to plaque buildup and inflammation of your gums. If you notice that your gums are inflamed, you must visit a dentist as soon as possible, as this can cause your gums to recede.
If your gums are inflamed or swollen, they can recede from your teeth, exposing the roots. Visiting the dentist regularly is essential to ensure that your gums stay healthy.
If you are not brushing your teeth properly, it can be easy to miss parts of your mouth that are hard to reach. Remember to brush your teeth within the recommended amount of time to help ensure that you clean your teeth thoroughly and don’t miss any spots.
If your tooth roots have been exposed, they must be treated to prevent further damage. Fortunately, there are a few options available to treat exposed tooth roots. The first and most common choice is to have a dentist place a crown over the root to protect it. If you have tooth pain, your dentist may also recommend taking over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
If you have a loose tooth, a dentist can perform a root canal to remove any infection and restore the tooth. Unfortunately, there are some instances where the dentist will recommend extracting the tooth entirely. If a tooth has a lot of decay, was hurt, or is infected, it might be best to take it out.
Root canal therapy is also an option for a tooth that needs to be removed due to decay or trauma. It involves removing the infected pulp and replacing it with a filling material to prevent the tooth from breaking. This can be a very successful treatment and allows the tooth to remain in your mouth.
Tooth roots exposure must be treated as soon as possible. Fortunately, your dentist can usually fix the problem right away. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, call your dentist and schedule an appointment immediately. Early detection and treatment are best to save all your permanent tooth.
If your tooth roots have been exposed too far to be treated quickly, you may have to have the tooth removed. Fortunately, if you have this scheduled with your dentist, you can still keep your smile. There are a variety of dental implants that can be used to replace teeth and look completely natural.
While dental implants are not cheap but are a worthwhile investment for your dental health, dental implants are a dental procedure that replaces missing teeth with a new tooth root made of titanium. They are designed to fuse with your bone, making them a durable and stable tooth replacement.
In case you are suffering from an exposed tooth root, keeping them clean until they are treated is essential. You can do so by using some antibacterial mouthwash and staying away from sugary or starchy foods until the issue has been resolved.
You can also brush your teeth regularly with a soft toothbrush to help keep the area clean until it’s treated. Contact your local dentist's office today if you have concerns about your teeth or want to schedule a dental check-up to check for exposed tooth roots.
At Charlotte Emergency, we focus on premier care and beautiful, healthy smiles for all our patients. Through our experienced and caring staff, we want to ensure that each customer has a positive experience throughout the process. Each client is treated as a family member, and we go above and beyond to ensure their satisfaction.
If you need dental services due to a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact the team at Charlotte Emergency. You can reach us at 704-525-3939 or email us at [email protected].
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