Someone mentioned “a bit of recession” at your last cleaning, and you are not sure what to do with that. From Burlington, come in to learn which root surfaces are showing, what raises their decay risk, and how to protect them.
Recession is the gum sitting lower on the tooth than it once did. What it uncovers is root, which is covered by a thinner, softer layer than the enamel above it. That makes it more open to decay in some mouths. It does not mean a cavity exists, and it does not mean one is coming; it means the area deserves a plan.
Coming from Burlington, you can treat the first visit as a fact-finding session. The dentist maps which roots are exposed and how they look, and we ask about sensitivity, dryness, food catching, and any spot your toothbrush seems to miss. Those answers help decide whether a surface needs protecting or something more.
The resulting plan should be easy to follow. It might be a change of brush or angle, a fluoride product matched to your risk, or a closer look at medicines that dry the mouth. No product can promise a root stays healthy, so we revisit the plan whenever your health or routine changes.
Risk at the root depends on the surface and its surroundings. Describe your observations plainly and let the exam judge whether there is decay.
Cold air, an ice cube, or brushing may trigger a brief ache right at the gum. Note when it began and what sets it off. Sensitivity has several possible sources, so we examine the tooth before suggesting a product or settling on recession as the explanation.
Your mouth may feel tacky after talking, or dryness might have appeared alongside a new medicine. A written list of medications helps. Keep taking what has been prescribed; we can talk about whether to mention the dryness to your prescriber.
Teeth that overlap, a ridge around a filling, or reduced hand strength can leave the same surface uncleaned. Point it out to us. A quick hands-on demonstration with a smaller brush often beats extra pressure or another rinse.
A stain where tooth meets gum does not, on its own, mean root decay. Leave it alone rather than scratching at it. Ask for an assessment if it changes, holds food, or becomes tender.
Root-cavity prevention brings cleaning, fluoride, sugar habits, and saliva into one conversation. How much each matters depends on you. A dry mouth with past root decay needs a different plan from a small patch of recession in a mouth that has rarely had a cavity.
Prevention cannot add back tooth structure or guarantee an exposed root will stay sound. It also does not mean every root needs a filling. If we suggest something, ask whether it is about preventing a new lesion, managing an early change, or treating damage we found.
Patient information: ADA — aging, exposed roots, and caries risk
Knowing which surfaces need attention turns a general routine into a precise one. We can show you the spot and the angle for your brush. Practising in the chair makes it easier to repeat the motion at home.
Any fluoride suggestion should come with what it does, how to use it, and whether it needs a prescription. Tell us about your current products. Adding more rarely helps if the directions become difficult to follow.
Dryness may grow, new dental work can change access, or someone may begin helping you brush. Bring those changes to reviews. We would rather adjust the plan than have it drift out of step with your life.
An assessment separates an exposed but healthy surface from active decay. Then the advice matches what was found and what you can keep up between visits.
We cover past cavities, when recession was first mentioned, dry mouth, medicines, and how you usually eat, drink, and clean. Let us know if someone assists you. Describing your real routine helps us find realistic improvements.
The dentist examines roots and gums and decides whether extra records would help. Ask which areas are fine, which need watching, and whether anything requires treatment. A mirror or photograph can show you exactly where things are.
We pick cleaning tools, a fluoride approach, and ideas for dryness or frequent sugar. If a prescription or an in-office application is part of it, confirm the instructions and how it will be reviewed. Treatment for existing decay is explained separately, with benefits and limits.
Know when the areas will be rechecked and what will be compared. Tell us if the routine is hard before that date. Prevention works as an ongoing exchange, adjusted using findings and feedback, rather than one recommendation.
Follow the advice given for your own teeth. Use any prescribed product exactly as directed and store it out of children’s reach.
Use the method and brush we demonstrated rather than pressing harder on exposed areas. Ask how to clean between teeth without harming the gum. If pain stops you cleaning well, tell us so the cause and technique can both be checked.
Mention the drinks, sweets, or lozenges that help you cope with dryness. Frequent sugary or acidic exposure can work against prevention. Ask about alternatives and about assessment of ongoing dryness rather than adding products yourself.
Tell us about new pain, a changed surface, or food trapping instead of testing the area with cold drinks or a pointed tool. Keep up your reviews even if things feel fine. Comfort does not confirm a root surface is stable.
Ask about recession, fluoride, dryness, and gumline changes. Answers should come from an examination of your teeth.
Contact our Bronte Street practice to talk about recession, dry mouth, or anything you have noticed near the gum. We will assess the surfaces, walk you through the findings, and explain the preventive or treatment options suited to you.
Exposed root surface is not automatically decayed. New pain or a changing area should be examined, not treated only with prevention products.
