What Does Exposed Teeth Roots Mean?

If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know how painful and inconvenient it can be. A toothache impacts your entire day because every bite of food becomes difficult to deal with. The pain in your teeth directly affects your ability to chew, eat, and speak.

If your teeth are sensitive, you must take special care when eating hot or cold foods, speaking loudly, or chewing on anything. However, these triggers aren’t the only things that make exposed roots on teeth painful and disruptive.

Sometimes, the condition is more severe than just having some sensitive teeth. Let us look at what exposed roots on teeth mean and what we can do about it.

Teeth Roots Exposed: What's Going On?

The tooth roots are supposed to be entirely covered by the gums and the soft tissue of your mouth. However, there are a few reasons why the roots of your teeth may become exposed.

The first could be the result of lousy tooth extraction. If the dentist pulled too hard, it could dislodge the tooth root, causing it to become exposed. Also, if you have gum disease or other problems with your oral health, the roots could be shown when you get treatment. 

Another thing is the gum recession. Recession of the gums happens when an infection is present, along with the build-up of plaque and harmful bacteria around the tooth. 

Recognizing When A Root Is Exposed

If you catch the exposed root early enough, there’s a good chance it doesn’t need any treatment. The best way to catch the problem early is to check your teeth daily. It sounds like a lot of work, but it’s better than going to the dentist with a broken tooth and dealing with a root canal.

Another way to catch the exposed root early is by paying attention to your gums. If you see any redness or swelling, or if a chunk of your gum suddenly starts to recede, you may have an exposed tooth root.

Also, be alert when you experience some sensitivity around the tooth when eating hot and cold foods. This is often the primary sign of gum problems. 

Typical Symptoms Of An Exposed Tooth Root

Pain in the tooth

This is the most obvious symptom of an exposed tooth root. If the exposed tooth root is still attached to the gums, it will hurt as there maybe some infection building up around the area.

Pain in the Jaw

If the exposed tooth root is broken off from the tooth, then it’s going to cause pain in your jaw, especially when it becomes infected. The dentist may give you antibiotics to remove the infection-causing bacteria. 

Pain when Chewing

If you feel pain when you chew, it's most likely because a tooth root is showing. Your teeth may feel wobbly as the gums begin to recede, giving you a hard time biting and chewing on your food. 

Pain when Biting Down

The exposed tooth root will be under your gum, so it can be punctured when you bite on something hard. This will be very uncomfortable and may cause mild to severe pain when not treated immediately. 

Brushing or Flossing Inflamed Gums

It would help if you could be careful and gentle when brushing and flossing an exposed tooth root, as the gums around it are most likely inflamed. 

Be On The Look Out For These Causes (and How to Avoid Them)!

Bad Tooth Extraction

This one is obvious, and we’ve already gone over the causes in detail. The best way to avoid this is to make sure that you choose a good dentist who knows how to extract teeth properly.

Gum Disease

You're at a higher risk for gum disease if you're neglecting your oral health care routine. This includes not flossing, brushing regularly, and not going to the dentist for a checkup.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay can cause an infection, and the gum tissue could also be affected, leading to gum recession and exposing the tooth roots. 

Options For Fixing Your Exposed Tooth Root

If the exposed tooth root isn’t causing any severe pain and is still attached to the tooth, it won’t need any treatment. However, if the root is broken off or the gum is infected, the dentist may have to go in and remove the exposed part of the root and clean the gum around it.

After the exposed root is taken care of, the dentist may prescribe you antibiotics and painkillers to help with the discomfort. You must also be careful when eating, speaking, and doing anything that could pressure the exposed tooth root.

If you experience pain from an exposed root, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you get treatment, the better and easier it will be to heal.

Suggestions For An Exposed Root Treatment

If you are experiencing discomfort with your tooth and gums, it’s best to schedule a trip to the dentist as soon as possible. This can be an early sign of gum recession or gum disease that can lead to tooth root exposure. 

Early detection of gum diseases is the best option since it can save you time and money. Having pain around the tooth can be extremely painful and may affect your entire day as the pain progress. 

Try a salt and warm water gargle if you cannot go to the dentist sooner. Warm salt water gargle can help kill bacteria causing infection around the mouth, giving you temporary relief as you wait for your dental appointment. 

Avoid eating sugary and starchy food when discomfort and pain around the gums are present, as these kinds of food can cause further irritation. 

When Roots Are Exposed Too Far For An Easy Fix

If the exposed tooth root is too far from the gum to be pulled out, you might have to go for a root canal treatment. This is a procedure where the infected tooth is removed, and the bacteria are cleaned out of the tooth’s interior.

The dentist might also choose to go in and stitch a flap of gum over the exposed tooth root to protect it from any bacteria in your mouth. You’ll have to be careful with the treated tooth; the root will be sensitive for a long time.

Take precautions with what you eat, how you brush your teeth, and how you floss between your teeth. The best thing that you can do is to follow your dentist’s instructions carefully and to take good care of your teeth every day to avoid further damage.

An Exposed Tooth Root Gets You To the Dentist; Now It's Your Turn To Keep Your Teeth Healthy

If you have had root canal treatment, it’s essential to ensure that your teeth stay healthy. In addition to brushing and flossing regularly, you should consider investing in a teeth whitening system to remove surface stains and make your teeth look whiter.

A teeth whitening pen is also very easy to use, and you can bring it anywhere. Stay healthy and take good care of your teeth so that they last you a long time, and you don’t have to undergo root canal treatment or even tooth loss in the future. 

Contact ARC Dental Health For Your Next Dental Visit

Maintaining a proper dental routine is essential to maintaining good oral health. They help remove food and bacteria between your teeth and tongue and look for signs of periodontal disease or other oral health problems.

At ARC Dental Health, our staff will gently clean your teeth with a soft, sonic toothbrush and use special instruments like flossers or mouthwashes to remove more stubborn particles. We’ll also closely examine any signs of gum disease or decay and provide preventative care recommendations based on your specific needs to avoid gum recession, tooth root exposure and tooth loss.

Regular check-ups as part of your routine can help keep your teeth healthy. Call us now to schedule your next dental appointment! 

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