Are exposed tooth roots common?
The exposed tooth root can scare some people, in addition to causing sensory discomfort during food intake. This condition is not natural and requires monitoring by a dentist. The problem is not terribly common, so if you suspect this is an issue, please see your dentist.
Why can the tooth root be exposed?
This happens because, sometimes, the gums begin to recede. Initially, the gums go through inflammation, called gingivitis. For this reason, this part retracts and leaves the root visible, which can cause increased sensitivity in the area, in addition to encouraging the proliferation of more harmful microorganisms, since the root loses the protection of the gums. Thus, the symptoms are:
- very long teeth;
- discomfort or even pain when eating very cold or hot foods.
When gingivitis is not treated in time, it evolves into a deeper inflammation, called periodontitis. This problem affects the bones that support the teeth, which further worsens tooth sensitivity and can even cause tooth loss.
What are the causes of this?
There are different reasons for gum inflammation to arise.
Genetic factors
If your father, mother, or grandparents had a problem like this, the chances of you having it increase significantly. This is because it already carries the information about this disease in its DNA. Therefore, it is interesting to see a dentist to anticipate treatment.
Poor positioning of teeth
Crooked, recessed teeth or any incorrect position can expose the tooth roots, which will lead to sensitivity problems and a lack of protection for this area.
Excessive brushing force
The force applied when brushing should be moderate: firm enough for the brush not to slip out of your hand, but not too strong. If this is not the case, the gums begin to wear down and may become inflamed, which will cause gum retraction and, consequently, the exposure of the tooth root.
Lack of hygiene
Not taking care to clean your teeth increases microorganisms in the mouth. This generates more bacterial plaque, capable of causing gingivitis, triggering the entire process explained above. Furthermore, a lack of oral hygiene generates several other problems, such as bad breath, yellowing of teeth, cavities, tartar, among others.
What are the health risks of the exposed root?
If left untreated, it can cause tooth loss. In fact, exposure of the root is a sign of something earlier and much more serious, which can impair speech and adequate food consumption due to marked sensitivity in the area.
How to treat the problem?
If the root of your tooth is exposed, look for a good dentist. The professional will assess the problem, diagnose the cause and treat it. For this, there is root coverage, an effective technique to cover the exposed root.
The method involves using a piece of gum from a donor. This tissue is applied to the exposed roots, restoring the natural appearance of the tooth. Before that, intense cleaning is carried out to remove tartar, bacterial plaque and other problems.
As you have seen, exposed tooth roots are serious, but can be treated. Therefore, if you have noticed longer teeth, sensitivity when eating very cold foods or other discomfort, consult a dentist.