While it’s possible to prevent exposed tooth roots from getting worse, it’s impossible to restore missing gum tissue or otherwise improve exposed roots without help from a dentist. If your teeth have started to look a little longer than you’re used to, or if your teeth are particularly sensitive to hot or cold temperatures or pressures, you might have an exposed root. Make an appointment with your dentist, and take care to prevent it from getting worse while you wait to get in for professional diagnosis and treatment.
In many cases, exposed tooth roots show up because of periodontal disease, and treating the condition could restore the gums to health, though it won’t restore missing tissue. The most common treatment option is a dental deep cleaning, wherein a periodontist manually resurfaces and disinfects areas of the teeth deep below the gums. In more serious cases, dental flap surgery might be needed.
Sometimes, exposed tooth roots arise because of overly aggressive brushing; other cases of exposed roots are caused by gum disease or periodontal disease. Treatment will depend on the cause of the condition and the extent of gum-tissue recession. When gum recession has been caused by brushing too hard, patients can stop their gums from receding by modifying their oral hygiene techniques. In fact, healthy brushing techniques can play a large part in preventing the tooth roots from becoming exposed in the first place, both by preventing gum disease and by protecting the gum tissue and keeping it supple and whole. Brush twice daily, using fluoride toothpaste on a soft-bristled brush to gently clean the teeth, gum line, and gums; your dentist might recommend an electric toothbrush specially designed to protect sensitive gum tissue. Clean between the teeth with floss or another interdental cleaner at least once a day, carefully avoiding aggressive contact with the gums.
You can also protect the health of your gums by reducing factors that lead to gum disease, like imbalanced diet; excessive consumption of sugar, caffeine, or alcohol; and smoking. If you have diabetes or any other inflammatory health conditions, make sure to manage these conditions with your primary care provider. If your exposed tooth roots are uncomfortably sensitive, you might try using a desensitizing toothpaste to prevent painfully stimulating the dental nerves. The crown of a tooth, above the gumline, is protected by a sturdy, lustrous layer of enamel. The root of a tooth, which is designed to live within the jaw, protected by gum tissue, has no protective enamel, making the root’s dental tissue more prone to decay and more susceptible to bacterial invasion when the gums recede.
While there are no home remedies for restoring lost gum tissue and covering exposed tooth roots, dentists can choose from a few different treatment approaches. If gum disease is present, this will be treated before any restorative treatments can be implemented. For less severely exposed tooth roots, dentists might choose to apply a treatment to the exposed roots to prevent sensitivity while monitoring the patient’s brushing habits at routine checkups. These treatments could be shorter-term, like pastes or gels, or more resilient, like composite resin bonding to seal exposed roots and protect from pain and decay. Some patients opt for aesthetically superior gum grafts, which use tissue taken from other areas of the mouth to cover exposed roots, though these treatments are invasive and painful.