Is Exposed Tooth Roots An Emergency
An exposed tooth root can be a result of an injury to the tooth, an underlying medical condition, certain medications, or gum disease. Gum disease is the most common cause of an exposed tooth route and is typically due to poor oral hygiene. Whether or not an exposed tooth root constitutes an emergency depends on the severity of exposure and damage to the area. When a patient has an injury to the tooth or gum, breaks a tooth, or has crooked teeth, they may have a higher risk of root exposure and more serious damage to their smile. Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons a patient might experience an exposed tooth root.
Gum Disease
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease which develops when plaque and bacteria are not regularly cleaned away with proper brushing and flossing. When plaque is allowed to accumulate, it calcifies into tartar and can no longer be removed with simple brushing and flossing. Tartar can only be removed by your dental hygienist during a professional cleaning.
Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to advanced periodontal disease and infection in the pockets between each tooth and surrounding gum tissue. Infection can cause inflammation and bone loss, leading to gum recession and exposed tooth roots. At this point, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause serious health problems.
Dental Trauma
Trauma to your mouth, like in a car accident or during physical activity, can also result in damage or even a break to a tooth. A tooth fracture that extends down into the root can cause a lot of pain and even root exposure. If a root suffers a fracture, the tooth may need to be extracted.
How do I know if I have an exposed tooth root?
The most common symptom of an exposed tooth root is extreme sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages. You may also be able to visibly tell that your tooth appears longer than it used to which is a sign that your gum tissue is receding. Gum recession and exposed tooth roots can lead to extreme sensitivity in pain but your dentist may be able to provide treatment to help restore health to your teeth and get you out of pain.
The degree of pain you experience will often depend on the severity of exposure and any potential damage to the root. Since pain is subjective, what is minor to some is intense to others so it is important to pay attention to your symptoms and seek treatment as soon as possible. Any symptoms, no matter how minor, need to be addressed by your dentist as soon as possible to determine the cause and begin treatment.
As far as an exposed tooth root being considered an emergency, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible even though you may not have severe symptoms. An exposed root is not going to heal itself and will require professional intervention to prevent further damage and heal the area.