Poor oral hygiene can lead to pulp diseases that require root canals, or worse. Learn about the types, symptoms, and treatments for oral pulp diseases.
What is pulpitis?
Causes of Pulp disease
- Chemical irritation of the pulp - in pulpal exposures to which irritant medicament is applied.
- Intact pulp beneath deep or moderate cavity with irritant filling materials. There may be penetration to pulp via dentinal tubules. The pulp may, however, respond by forming reparation dentine.
- Severe thermal changes may produce pulpitis which is most common on tooth with large metallic restoration especially with inadequate insulation between the material and pulp.
Heat and more particularly cold, are transmitted to a pulp, producing pain and on prolongation actual pulpitis.
- Dental caries
- Traumatic exposure of the pulp during cavity preparation.
- Fracture of tooth crown.
- Thermal injury arising from operative procedures.
- Chemical irritation due to irritating restorative material.
- Crack - Tooth syndrome - splitting of a tooth under masticatory process (usually premolar.)
Classification of pulp diseases
Focal reversible pulpitis ( FRP)
Clinical features of Pulpitis
Treatment of pulp diseases
What are the Symptoms of pulp diseases?
Depending on the type of pulp disease, symptoms may vary in intensity and can include:
- pain on eating or drinking hot or cold food/drinks.
- a dull ache at the jaw.
- pain which is spontaneous and throbbing.
- tenderness at the tooth on touching and biting.
- pain which may interrupt sleep.
- pain which may be referred to head, temple or ear.
Prevention of pulp diseases
The best way to prevent toothache is to prevent pulp disease. Decay can be prevented by,
- A sensible diet - limit snacking in between meals, and the consumption of refined carbohydrates eg sweets, cake, ice cream.
- Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice daily
- Flossing at least once a day
- Regular visits to the dentist for tooth checkup.
- Common dental emergencies and things to do
- Traumatic dental injuries and how does it result in pulpitis
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The content is intended to augment, not replace, information provided by your clinician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a doctor-patient relationship or consultation. If required, please contact your doctor or other health care provider to assist you in interpreting any of this information, or in applying the information to your individual needs.
