What should I do if my gums recede and expose the tooth roots?

During this period, my gums are constantly inflamed, and now I feel that my tooth roots are becoming increasingly exposed. What should I do if my gums recede and expose the tooth roots?

What to Do When Gum Recession Exposes Tooth Roots

Patients experiencing gum recession with exposed tooth roots should promptly visit the dental department of a hospital. A dentist will conduct relevant examinations to identify the underlying cause and administer appropriate treatment. Gum recession exposing the root surface is commonly caused by periodontitis. In periodontitis patients, dental calculus and plaque irritate the gums, leading to gingival recession and alveolar bone resorption—ultimately resulting in root exposure. Such patients may undergo supragingival and subgingival scaling to remove calculus and plaque, followed by oral antibiotic therapy (e.g., nitroimidazoles, tetracyclines, penicillins, or macrolides) to effectively control infection. Once infection is under control, symptoms of root exposure may improve. If necessary, surgical interventions—including gingival grafting or other soft-tissue augmentation procedures—may be performed to restore normal gingival contour and fully cover the exposed roots.

In such cases, improving brushing technique is the first step. Depending on the extent and location of root exposure, localized treatments—such as gingival flap surgery or soft-tissue grafting—may be employed to cover the exposed areas. In some instances, periodontal regenerative procedures involving bone grafting may also be considered. These approaches help prevent further irritation and complications. Therefore, once signs of gum recession appear, timely evaluation and appropriate intervention are essential to resolve the issue and effectively alleviate problems associated with root exposure.

If patients notice any symptoms related to this condition in daily life, they should seek medical evaluation promptly and actively cooperate with their dentist’s treatment plan. We hope this information has been helpful to you.