How is pulpitis caused?

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Pulpitis is generally caused by the progression of dental caries. Bacteria infect the hard tissues of the tooth, which is referred to as dental caries in the early stages. If the decayed parts are not removed in time for dental filling, meaning the teeth are not filled promptly, the bacteria will further infect the pulp tissue, leading to pulpitis. Pulpitis is actually the outcome of further bacterial development. However, if pulpitis is not treated in time, the inflammation can advance to the root apex, causing apical periodontitis. Therefore, pulpitis requires prompt endodontic treatment of the tooth. After controlling the inflammation, the root canal is filled. Following the filling of the root canal, the top of the tooth crown is sealed, which involves the filling of the tooth.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
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Does pulpitis require hospitalization?

Pulpitis does not require hospitalization; it can be treated routinely in a dental outpatient clinic. Pulpitis results from the progression of caries. If dental caries are not addressed early with fillings, bacteria can infect further, reaching the dental nerves and causing symptoms of pulpitis. Severe pulpitis can cause pain when eating, pain at night, and poorly localized pain, which might radiate to the temporal area of the ear, causing intense discomfort. Routine outpatient treatments for pulpitis include nerve removal, anti-inflammation, and finally, root canal filling. A comprehensive root canal treatment can effectively resolve the symptoms of pulpitis, making hospitalization unnecessary.

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Is pulpitis serious?

Pulpitis is a severe pain caused by bacterial infection of the pulp tissue, also known as the tooth nerve. The clinical symptoms of pulpitis are very severe, especially severe secondary pain, irritative pain, as well as indirect pain and pain that cannot be localized. Pulpitis results from the further development of dental caries. In the early stages of bacterial infection, if the carious decay of the tooth's hard tissue is not promptly filled, and if the progression of the caries is not timely halted, bacteria will further infect and cause inflammation of the tooth nerve, leading to pulpitis. This condition requires root canal treatment to alleviate the symptoms. Otherwise, the inflammation will further accumulate around the root apex, causing severe apical periodontitis and even leading to space infection or facial swelling.

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What are the symptoms of pulpitis?

Pulpitis is a painful condition that occurs due to bacterial infection of the dental pulp tissue. Pulpitis has its own typical symptoms, including pain triggered by temperature changes. Eating foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet can cause severe pain in the dental nerves. Additionally, temperature stimuli intensify the pain; both cold and hot water can cause tooth pain. During the acute suppurative phase, there is pain with heat and relief with cold, meaning drinking hot water causes pain, whereas drinking cold water can alleviate it. Another typical characteristic of pulpitis includes nighttime pain; often there is less pain during the day, but at night or after falling asleep, the pain can awaken the individual from sleep.

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What should I do if the pain from pulpitis is unbearable?

Pulpitis typically presents with spontaneous pain, paroxysmal pain, and pain due to temperature stimuli. The pain of acute pulpitis often cannot be localized. Only by visiting a regular hospital's dentistry department for pulp opening and drainage can the pain be relieved, followed by comprehensive root canal treatment. Additionally, if it is inconvenient to treat pulpitis pain, one can take oral anti-inflammatory painkillers, apply ice locally, crush a clove of garlic and place it on the affected tooth, or steam one part Sichuan pepper with four parts aged vinegar for ten minutes and then apply the moistened Sichuan pepper to the affected tooth to alleviate the pain. Ultimately, root canal treatment at a regular hospital's dentistry department is necessary. Regular oral hygiene is important, including brushing teeth morning and night, rinsing after meals, and using the internationally recognized Bass brushing technique. Cavities should be detected and treated early.

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Pulpitis has no time to treat.

Pulpitis needs to be treated as soon as possible. If pulpitis is not treated in time, it will worsen, and bacteria will further infect, reaching the apical area and causing apical periodontitis. Severe apical periodontitis may involve destructive resorption of the apical area and the alveolar bone, and inflammation may discharge pus through the mucous membrane or skin. Clinically, symptoms such as abscesses or space infections may occur, which is quite severe and can even cause systemic septicemia. Therefore, pulpitis needs to be treated as soon as possible. The treatment of pulpitis involves removing the infected dental nerve, medicating the root canal, and performing root canal filling, that is, a complete root canal treatment.