The tooth root sits below the gumline and helps anchor the tooth in the jawbone. An exposed root, which may poke through the gum, can indicate damage to the gums or teeth. When a tooth root is no ...

An exposed tooth root can be uncomfortable to deal with. It may cause sharp pain and sensitivity when you’re brushing your teeth and when you’re eating foods that are hot, cold, sweet, sour, or spicy.

Root caries occur on exposed root surfaces, which are more vulnerable to demineralization than enamel. The prevalence of root caries is rising sharply due to increased tooth retention in an aging ...