Are exposed tooth roots common?
Exposed roots are fairly common, in the same way gum infection is very common in America and throughout the world. Infection leads to gum recession, which leads to exposed tooth roots. There is an entire industry though, which is dedicated to protecting your teeth and providing coverage for exposed tooth roots; Modern Dentistry.
What can you do about Exposed Tooth Roots
Tooth Replacement- Tooth replacement can reinvigorate the gums and help to resecure teeth within the jaw.
Hygiene Treatments- Help to rid the body of infection and provide a safe place to repair or replace teeth.
Gum Grafts- Attaching small grafts of healthy gums over areas where the gums where decayed or receded before. Over time the body attaches and integrates with these grafts.
Root Canal- Doctor may recommend a root canal to remove lingering decaying tissue from the gums and root structure of the teeth. Often this is a preliminary step before tooth extraction.
Signs of Exposed Roots
1. Tooth Loss- When your root is that exposed, it does not seem like a good scene for your tooth. The tooth itself may become loose and detach, or your dentist may extract it in order to prevent further damage to the entire area.
2. Bleeding- Gums bleed when they are infected, like gingivitis. Especially after brushing or flossing; which is not a reason to not do either one.
3. Pain- Most patients report discomfort. They do not feel good having other people notice their poor dental health, and they report feeling pain when eating particular foods.
4. Tooth Movement- The Teeth are no longer secure due to the root exposure, and the teeth begin to move, knocking into others. This can lead to awkward spacing or crowding of the teeth, which opens a slew of other problems.
Risks of Exposed Tooth Roots
Exposed tooth roots are a symptom of greater problems within the mouth. The gums will begin to recede if there is severe development of bacteria and decay within the gums themselves. The leftover food particles that were not hygienically cleaned are allowing harmful bacteria to enter the gumline. This is effectively killing healthy gum tissue and compromising the root structures of the teeth themselves. Once this process begins it is difficult to combat, and impossible to reverse. The damage is done, but there are actions you and your doctor can take to stave off the decay.
See your dentist at the earliest signs of exposed roots. Come in for a thorough cleaning and examination. Get an updated x ray to investigate the deeper roots of the teeth. Then speak with the hygienist. Be honest about what you have and have not been doing hygienically. Then open the conversation with your Dentist. Are the teeth salvageable? Should we be considering tooth replacement options? Are we looking at Implants, Bridges, or Caps?
Is it early enough? In that case, a simple hygienic intervention may be enough to kick bad bacteria out and start a healthy trend of positive dental hygiene.