The crowns of the teeth are the visible portions above the gum line, covered in an outer layer of lustrous dental enamel and distinctly tooth-shaped. The roots of the teeth are the part you can’t see, nestled safely in bone and soft tissue and filled with vital dental pulp. Tooth roots are accustomed to be protected and nourished by the oral tissues; as such, they don’t have an outer layer of protective enamel and are naturally porous. When the tooth roots become exposed, losing their protection, they grow more vulnerable to absorbing bacteria that naturally occur in the oral cavity when foods and drinks are consumed. These bacteria invade the vital pulp inside the tooth, spreading disease into the tooth and potentially into the bloodstream. The preferred treatment for infection or abscess inside a tooth is a root canal, which clears diseased tissue out of a tooth root before disinfecting and sealing the tooth’s canal to prevent further infection. Exposed tooth roots aren’t necessarily an emergency, though only a dentist can make that determination. If you’ve sustained an injury or trauma to your face and your tooth’s roots are exposed because something is broken or bleeding, see a medical professional immediately. If you’ve got some minor gum recession that’s exposing your tooth roots, let your dentist check you out, and follow their recommendations for treatment.
As we age, the roots of our teeth can gradually become exposed as the gum tissue weakens and recedes. Taking care to clean the teeth and gums gently yet thoroughly can help you preserve the health of your gums and keep gum recession to a minimum. With conscientious care and routine monitoring by a dentist, mildly receded gum tissue that causes minimally exposed tooth roots can safely stay that way for many years. Exposed tooth roots can also appear because the gums are inflamed, however, which causes them to recede from the teeth. This inflammation characterizes gum disease, which can lead to catastrophic outcomes if left untreated. Dental professionals can determine the cause of exposed tooth roots and work with you to halt the recession of the gum tissue and help keep the tooth roots protected. It’s impossible for the body to regrow gum tissue that’s been destroyed, though dentists can replace receded or missing tissue with gum grafts, using soft tissue harvested from other areas inside the mouth to protect exposed roots with a revived gum line.
Exposed tooth roots are usually pretty easy to see, and you might be able to feel the texture differences with your tongue. If you have a tooth that’s unusually sensitive, this could be because of an exposed tooth root; loose teeth can also indicate exposed tooth roots. You can use a mirror to look into your mouth if you suspect an exposed root toward the back of your mouth. Of course, your dentist can provide the most accurate diagnosis with a comprehensive examination, and you should explain your symptoms when you call to make your appointment. While not generally considered a dental emergency, leaving exposed roots untreated could lead to all sorts of complications. If the condition is allowed to progress and infection proliferates, the only solution might be extracting the tooth. This is an invasive, costly, damaging outcome that can be prevented with some careful attention to oral hygiene and periodic visits to the dentist for checkups and professional cleanings.