Is Exposed Tooth Roots an Emergency?

An exposed tooth root can absolutely be an emergency. It all depends on the patient, the severity of the decay, and the pain associated. If you are a person who has little tolerance for pain or discomfort, if you are someone who cannot stand poor dental health, or if you are immunocompromised; exposed tooth roots may become an emergency.

What is an Exposed Tooth Root?

An exposed root is an area of the mouth that has suffered enough gingival decay that the tooth and root structures are exposed to the air. This can make patients uncomfortable when they smile and also cause pain when eating and drinking.

Symptoms of Exposed Tooth Roots

  • Bad Breath- Persistent bad breath is usually a sign that something is decaying within the mouth. It is probably a symptom that there is infection within the gums.
  • Pain- Patient may experience very sensitive or painful gums and teeth sensations as they are exposed to hot, cold, sweet, salty, or acidic foods.
  • Bleeding- Patient may experience blood from the gums near the tooth root, especially after brushing or flossing.
  • Tooth Loss- The patient may experience tooth loss after the root exposure is significantly advanced or decayed.
  • Infection- Patient may notice signs or confirmation of infection due to bleeding, redness, inflammation, discharge, pain, or tooth loss. This is all caused by harmful bacteria operating within the gums and tooth destroying healthy tissue and exposing the structural support of the tooth.
  • Dark Area Under Tooth- Patient may notice that gums have receded to the point that they can see dark areas underneath the tooth itself.
  • Loose Teeth- Patient may be able to move their tooth using their tongue or may notice that the area around the tooth feels unusual–different than the tooth.

How Can Your Doctor Repair Exposed Tooth Roots?

First, you need to make an appointment. Then your dentist can assess your condition and the extent of decay or exposure. Once they determine the best course of action they may opt to do several things.

Restorative Hygiene: While gums cannot simply regrow, hygienic interventions may prove essential to combat the decay and disease prevalent.

Tooth Removal: If the root structure is compromised, it can be crucial to actually remove the tooth itself, or at least a root canal to extract toxic tissues.

Tooth Replacement: Especially if teeth have been extracted, repairing and replacing them are paramount in ensuring the patient has a successful outcome.

When Do You Take Action?

Don’t wait for someone you care about to ask about your horrible halitosis, take action before it’s too late. See your doctor and ask about repair and treatment options for exposed tooth roots. Consider all available options, and if replacement teeth are on the table–be sure to do your research and ask questions. There are a lot of different types of tooth replacement options and materials to choose from. Be sure to discuss options with insurance, and maintain routine checkups after treatment. Earlier is better than later!

How do you fix exposed tooth roots