Could An Exposed Tooth Root Be Causing Your Dental Sensitivity?
Posted on: 25 May 2022
What you think of as a tooth is only the visible part of the tooth—its crown, which should (ideally) be covered in protective dental enamel. If a tooth is becoming increasingly sensitive, you might think that the issue is limited to the crown—possibly with the deterioration of its enamel meaning the tooth's nerve is beginning to react to external stimuli or even bacterial contamination. But this enamel might be perfectly intact. To identify the cause of your sensitivity, you may need to lower your eyes slightly. The problem may not be with the tooth's crown, but with its root.
Enamel and Cementum
Your dental enamel forms the outer surface of the tooth's crown. Beneath the gum line, this enamel gives way to cementum, which serves a similar purpose to the enamel—except that it protects the tooth's root. This cementum should be surrounded by gingival tissues. When gums recede (which can have a number of causes, and more about that shortly), cementum can be exposed. It's not as strong as enamel, and any damage (breaches) to your cementum can cause the tooth's root to be irritated by external stimuli (food and drink, oral bacteria, bite pressure). The root can ultimately become infected.
Gum Recession
Receding gums are typically caused by periodontal (gum) disease. Affected gums can begin to pull away from the teeth, forming periodontal pockets. This results in a reduction of gum coverage at the base of the tooth, exposing your cementum. Excessively hard (improper) brushing can also lead to gum recession, with gum tissues being scoured away by the bristles of your toothbrush. You need to see your dentist to have the issue addressed. Treatment becomes more complicated as time goes by.
Protecting an Exposed Tooth Root
In the early stages of the problem, a dentist can easily seal an exposed tooth root. The cementum can be strengthened with fluoride treatments or a dentin sealer. Should the cementum have deteriorated, it can be restored with a composite resin (tooth-colored) filling. An actual cavity in your cementum can also be filled in this way. These methods are only effective in cases of minor recession. If the problem is allowed to develop further, you may need to have a surgical gum graft—where a tiny amount of gum tissue is extracted from another site in your mouth and sutured onto the target site.
A sensitive tooth may be a perfectly healthy tooth. It could be that your gums are the problem, with the roots of your teeth now exposed. In its early stages, the issue is highly-treatable, so don't delay in visiting your dentist.
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