Exposed tooth roots are more susceptible to bacteria than the other surfaces of the teeth, as their porous tissues aren’t designed to be exposed to the elements inside the oral cavity. Normally supported by vital gum and bone tissue, an exposed tooth root also receives less blood and nutrients and grows weak and brittle. One of the clearest signs of an exposed tooth root is a visible root, appearing as a darkened, rough area within a notch in the gum line. You might also notice particular sensitivity in spots, a proliferation of plaque building up in a specific area, or there might be a bad smell or taste in your mouth. While each of these symptoms could relate to exposed tooth roots, they could also relate to a variety of other dental concerns and should be addressed by a dentist. With routine dental checkups, exposed tooth roots can be managed and treated before any serious effects arise.
In some cases, a tooth’s roots can be exposed by an injury to the face or an accident; it should be clear that painful or bloody trauma requires immediate medical attention. More common causes of root exposure work more gradually, and these are best addressed by the patient and the dentist at routine checkups. Gum disease is characterized by inflammation in the gums, which causes them to recede from the teeth, exposing the tooth roots. Infections in a tooth root could also cause the surrounding tissue to recede, increasing the risk of severe systemic infection. Tooth roots can also be exposed if a tooth shifts in position, becomes misaligned, or fractures; rarely, cysts and cyst-like growths in the jaw can interfere with the gum tissue and expose the tooth root.
When the tissue inside a tooth becomes infected, root canal therapy is the recommended treatment. In this procedure, the dentist removes diseased and damaged tissue, resurfacing and disinfecting the inside of the tooth before filling the root canal with biocompatible material and sealing it off. If needed, a dental crown is used to support the remaining tooth structure following a root canal. Oral antibiotics are often prescribed alongside root canal treatments; if you get a prescription for antibiotics, make sure to complete the entire course of medication. If the infection inside a tooth goes unaddressed for too long, the tooth may need to be extracted, and you and your dentist can discuss your options for replacing the tooth.
If your tooth roots have gradually grown exposed as you’ve aged, you can often manage the issue with careful home hygiene and regular monitoring from your dentist. Many patients with minimal root exposure rely on over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste to reduce pain in the teeth, and dentists can apply clinical-strength desensitizing treatments if the situation is severe. If the tooth is salvageable and in a highly visible spot, you and your dentist may want to discuss gum grafts, which can rebuild the gum line using natural tissue derived from elsewhere inside the mouth. These are an aesthetically superior treatment option that’s beneficial in more severe cases of gum recession, though it is only an option when there is absolutely no presence of disease or infection in the oral tissues; dentists will make sure periodontal disease is managed before recommending invasive, expensive procedures like grafts and implants.