What is An Exposed Tooth Nerve? (Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment)

What is an exposed tooth nerve? How will you know if you have it? Is there any treatment for this? An exposed tooth nerve can bring discomfort, sensitivity, and pain when you brush your teeth and eat hot, cold, sour, sweet, or spicy foods. There are many possible reasons to expose the tooth nerve. It would be best to schedule an appointment with your family dentist once you think you have an exposed tooth nerve.
About Tooth Nerves
The dental pulp is the soft part inside the tooth. It covers the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Also, the nerve of the tooth is the legs or roots of the tooth. The root canals move from the tip of the nerve of the tooth into the pulp chamber.
The tooth’s nerve is not imperatively critical to a tooth’s well-being and capacity after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is to provide the sensation of heat or cold. The existence or nonappearance of a nerve will not influence the everyday working of the tooth. Notwithstanding, after treatment, the tooth is not so much suitable but rather more vulnerable to fracture.
Furthermore, when tooth roots lose the security of the gums, they are exposed to mouth substance such as bacteria, acids, plaque. This exposure can cause tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures. Also, cementum is not as solid as the tooth enamel that covers the teeth over the gum line. Thus, it can rapidly decay or erode with brushing. As a result, the teeth can turn out to be more sensitive and less steady.
Symptoms of An Exposed Tooth Nerve
The roots of the teeth help hold your teeth in place inside your facial structure and gums. When tooth roots are exposed, you become vulnerable to tooth sensitivity and other severe health conditions.
The following are typical indications of an exposed tooth nerve. Indications can vary depending on the reason for your exposed root. At times, you may likewise have exposed tooth nerve with no side effects.
Tender gums. When you have an exposed root, you may encounter sore or tender gums that bleed when you brush them.
Longer-looking tooth. Your tooth may appear longer than expected if your gum line is subsiding. This occurrence can cause tooth sensitivity.
Tooth staining. You may see staining in case you likewise have tooth decay.
Swelling and pain. You may encounter swelling, and sharp pain in case the pulp or nerve of your tooth gets contaminated.
Tooth sensitivity. You may experience tooth sensitivity every time you brush your teeth, as well as eat food, that is:
- sweet
- hot
- cold
- acidic
- sour
Causes of Exposed Tooth Nerves
There are several variables that add to exposed tooth roots and nerves. Be that as it may, gum disease is frequently the foremost culprit. Consider knowing what causes exposed tooth nerve can help you better treat the issue and practice the correct prevention strategies.
Reasons for exposed tooth nerves and exposed tooth roots include:
Gum disease: Periodontitis, also generally called gum disease, makes your gums swollen, feeble and prone to gum tissue loss. If not properly treated, gum disease will uncover the roots and nerves, leading to tooth sensitivity and tooth loss.
Receding gums: In case your gum line starts to withdraw because of gum disease or tissue loss, it exposes the tooth nerves. Consult your local dentist if you notice that your gums are receding.
Harsh brushing: using too much pressure to your gums and teeth when brushing can uncover the enamel and make gums inflamed, prompting root exposure.
Tooth grinding or clenching: Also known as bruxism, tooth clenching, or grinding debilitates your teeth and can cause a serious impact on the external layers encompassing the nerves, uncovering the root.
Trauma or injury: Comparable to tooth grinding, injury to your teeth weakens the external defensive layers of the tooth, making roots and nerves exposed.
Orthodontic treatment: Wearing braces challenge a person to brush their teeth properly. Not following a thorough dental care practice may cause your enamel, the furthest part of the tooth, to weaken, making the inner layers defenceless.
Misaligned or crooked teeth: Once the teeth are not appropriately aligned or in contact, they can have spaces or gaps along the gum line. This condition allows plaque bacteria to develop all the more effectively and leaving your gums helpless against disease.
Smoking or tobacco use: Smoking expands your danger of having exposed tooth nerve as it harms your teeth. This can also lead to tartar buildup or tooth decay, the chief offenders of gum disease.
Exposed Tooth Nerve Treatment
Treatment for an exposed tooth nerve relies upon its cause and the particular signs and symptoms you encounter. As advised by the SNK Dental clinic in St Mary’s the following are some possible treatment choices.
Gum recession
Crown. A dental crown may cover the exposed nerve of your tooth. It is a cap for your tooth that can keep and strengthen it.
Gingival mask. Your dentist may recommend this treatment if you have numerous teeth with gum recession. The gingival mask is removable fake gum that can cover subsiding gums.
Gum graft. This treatment applies a piece of tissue from a healthy gum or the top of your mouth to cover the receding gum.
Flap surgery. During flap surgical procedure, a doctor will do a minor cut in your gum, eliminate tartar and bacteria, and conceal the exposed tooth nerve.
Gum disease
Dental scaling. Your dentist may get rid of tartar and bacteria under your gum line using dental scaling.
Root planing. This procedure smooths the exteriors of your roots to forestall a further development of bacteria.
Surgery. Your dentist may suggest gum graft or a flap surgery in case you have an advanced type of gum disease.
Root canal treatment. If the nerve of your tooth gets infected, you require a root canal treatment. This procedure will remove the infected core of your tooth.
Teeth grinding
Treatment for bruxism or teeth grinding relies upon its source. If you grind or clench your teeth during the day, improved mindfulness may be sufficient to focus on the issue. On the other hand, in case teeth grinding happens at night, your dentist may suggest a mouthguard.
Misaligned teeth
Malocclusion of the teeth or misaligned teeth can be treated with a variety of techniques, including:
- braces
- retainers
- clear aligners
- tooth extraction
- surgery