Pulpitis

Pulpitis is inflammation of the pulp, the nerve chamber inside a tooth, which causes pain and pressure. This tooth core protects the nerve endings. If pulpitis is treated in time, it usually does not lead to further problems.

Pulpitis

What is pulpitis?

In pulpitis, pressure builds up in the pulp cavity, which radiates to the tooth nerves and surrounding tissues. Unlike other parts of the body, the pressure in the pulp cannot be dissipated through the surrounding soft tissue.

The core of the tooth is surrounded by dentine, a hard tissue, which means that it is not possible to reduce pressure. It is mainly the increased blood flow that causes the mild to extreme pain. If the teeth are denervated during treatment, this can lead to irreversible pulpitis, depending on the location, intensity of infection and size of the treated area. See topbbacolleges for Definitions of Lactose Intolerance (or Milk Sugar Intolerance).

This usually leads to reduced sensitivity in the affected teeth and an increased rate of further tooth damage. Milk teeth and permanent teeth can be equally affected by pulpitis.

Causes

Pulpitis is inflammation caused by bacterial infection resulting from tooth decay or tooth decay. The affected pulp is the internal part of the tooth and is made up of nerve endings, blood vessels and connective tissue.

The causative tooth decay is a lesion of the tooth enamel caused by acid erosion of the tooth surface as a result of bacterial plaque. If the decay is deep, the pulp becomes irritated and bacteria can enter, causing inflammation. This increases the pressure in the tissue and causes the pain.

Apart from that, pulpitis can also be triggered by other factors: injuries that have caused small cracks in the tooth, invasive procedures such as dental fillings or crowns, and acidic food residue. Unless the pulpitis is too advanced, the pain may go away once the cause is treated.

Symptoms, Ailments & Signs

Inflammation of the roots of the teeth primarily manifests itself as severe pain in the area of ​​the roots of the teeth. The toothache increases with external stimuli such as heat, cold or pressure. If the infection is severe, the tooth will seem to throb and the pain will radiate to the jawbone and surrounding tissues.

Finally, an abscess forms, which can be recognized externally by a swelling. If the pulpitis is not treated, the discomfort increases in intensity. Ultimately, one or more teeth may die off. There is also a risk of developing blood poisoning. If the inflammation spreads to surrounding regions, inflammation of the teeth themselves as well as the jaw and mucous membranes can also occur.

The pulpitis itself leads to suppuration, which, in addition to bad breath and severe discomfort, can also cause infections. Painful cysts and bleeding can also occur in the mouth and jaw area. The symptoms of a tooth root infection usually appear within a few days and quickly increase in intensity. If the disease is treated early, the signs of the disease subside just as quickly. In individual cases, the teeth remain loose.

Diagnosis & History

Symptoms such as increased sensitivity to stimuli (e.g. hot and cold) often appear first in pulpitis. Constant throbbing pain can also be associated with the disease.

However, pulpitis can also occur without pain. In acute pulpitis, the pain is intense and may be continuous at intervals. In the case of a purulent, acute pulpitis, the cellulose is completely inflamed. The extremely painful condition often worsens when lying down. In another form, the cell nucleus begins to die off. While this form is less painful, it can lead to the formation of a granuloma or an abscess.

Chronic pulpitis is also characterized by less intense pain than in the acute form of the disease, but it can spread into the root canal. Due to the significant pressure on the nerves of the tooth, finding the source of the pain is quite difficult, which is why it can be confused with the neighboring teeth.

Complications

Due to pulpitis, patients in most cases suffer from discomfort in the mouth and especially in the teeth. This leads to severe toothache and tooth decay. The toothache often spreads to the head or ears, so that those affected suffer from concentration disorders and permanent pain.

The teeth themselves are very sensitive to cold and hot foods, so that normal food intake is usually no longer possible for the affected person. Patients suffer from weight loss and also from depression. If the pulpitis is not treated, it is not uncommon for the roots of the teeth to become inflamed.

In this case, the root of the tooth usually has to be completely removed, otherwise the pain will not go away. The life expectancy of the patient is not affected due to the pulpitis. As a rule, pulpitis can be treated relatively easily by a dentist. There are no complications. The patient may need to take painkillers. Furthermore, the pulpitis can also occur in the further course of life in the patient.

When should you go to the doctor?

Because pulpitis is a serious condition, it should always be treated early. This can prevent further destruction of the tooth. As a rule, pulpitis can be treated relatively well, so that there are no further complications or other symptoms.

A doctor should be consulted if the person concerned suffers from severe pain in the tooth. The pain often spreads to the head or ears, so that there can also be very uncomfortable feelings in these areas. The affected tooth also reacts very sensitively to cold or heat, and eating with the tooth is no longer possible. A doctor should be consulted even if the pulpitis is causing the tooth to bleed. The disease is usually treated by a dentist. This leads to complete healing.

Treatment & Therapy

Basically, pulpitis should always be treated by a dentist. This is usually a root canal treatment or removal of the tooth core.

One way to relieve the pain initially is to take over-the-counter pain relievers. The most effective drugs are based on the active ingredients acetylsalicylic acid or aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen, contain no cortisone and have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

If the pulpitis was caused by tooth decay, the lesion should be treated. The damaged area is cleaned and dried with sterile cotton. The cavity can be filled with extra cotton soaked in an analgesic disinfectant.

Prevention

The best way to prevent pulpitis is to practice good oral hygiene. Teeth must be cleaned thoroughly at least three times a day. Every tooth, including its inner surface, requires thorough care. It should be brushed carefully, otherwise the sensitive enamel could be damaged.

Toothbrushes, which are changed every two months, should be medium-hard and have rounded bristles. Toothpastes containing fluoride strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. At the same time, the use of dental floss and mouthwash is recommended to clean inaccessible tooth spaces.

Aftercare

Most patients with mild pulpitis can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. If tooth pulp inflammation is irreversibly chronic, root treatment or root tip resection may be necessary. If an operative resection was carried out, further X-rays show whether the inflammation of the dental pulp has been completely eliminated and the tip of the root has been cleaned or filled. Following a jaw surgery procedure, the follow-up treatment supports the healing process.

Regular check-ups serve to ensure the success of the treatment and help to identify renewed pulpitis in the early stages. Dentists also provide detailed information about what to do after an operation. Swelling is reduced by cooling, for example. In the early days, soft food such as milk porridge or soups is best for consumption.

The use of interdental brushes, antibacterial mouthwashes and oral irrigators complements careful dental care. In the follow-up care of pulpitis, a professional tooth cleaning (PZR) carried out every six months is recommended. Despite a sonic toothbrush, dental floss and toothpaste containing fluoride, bacterial plaque cannot be removed from hard-to-reach areas.

Dentists or specially trained practice staff use suitable instruments for the thorough removal of disease-causing deposits as well as for polishing and fluoridation. Since caries is a frequent trigger for inflammatory changes in the pulp of the tooth, intensive cleaning effectively protects against bacterial recolonization. In addition to early diagnosis and therapy, planned follow-up care, especially in the case of severe pulpitis, is an essential factor for a good prognosis.