Pulpitis: Types, Symptoms, & Treatment

What is Pulpitis?

Your teeth are comprised of 3 distinct layers:

• Enamel: the hard, protective outer coating

• Dentin: the softer mid-section

• Pulp: the inner layer which contains nerves, connective tissues, and blood vessels

As its name suggests, pulpitis affects your tooth pulp, causing it to inflame, hurt, and become more sensitive to temperature. Pulpitis often happens due to cracks and cavities in teeth, allowing bacteria to seep in, or when irritation within a tooth occurs due to grinding.

Types of Pulpitis

Pulpitis is classified based on the extent to which the infection has advanced. Types of pulpitis include:

• Reversible Pulpitis: In its early stages, pulpitis causes milder inflammation and pain. Any damage to tooth pulp can be negated, and the infection can be removed entirely by a dentist who repairs and seals the tooth.

• Irreversible Pulpitis: If left untreated, inflammation and damage caused by pulpitis will cause tooth pulp to die. In these instances, a root canal or full tooth extraction may be necessary.

Pulpitis Symptoms

You may experience a range of pulpitis symptoms depending on how advanced your case is, but the main effect of the condition is pain. Both types of pulpitis may also cause a more pronounced sensitivity to hot and cold foods.

Reversible pulpitis symptoms include:

• Inflamed tooth pulp

• Soreness and toothache

• Short, sharp pains when in contact with hot and cold food

• Irreversible pulpitis symptoms include:

• Longer, throbbing pain when in contact with hot and cold food

• Bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth

• A fever

• Pain when the affected tooth is touched

• Swelling around the gums

When pulpitis advances to a point, the pulp in your tooth will die; this is called pulp necrosis. Pulp necrosis symptoms vary slightly, as any sensitivity tends to disappear, while pain may stay at the same level.

Causes of Pulpitis

Typically, our enamel and dentin protect our tooth pulp, with their hard, unbroken layers preventing bacteria from entering the pulp. When the structure of a tooth is compromised and enamel or dentin breaks down, tooth pulp is exposed, and bacteria can make their way into it and cause pulpitis.

• Common reasons for tooth pulp becoming exposed include:

• Oral trauma causing injury and breaks to a tooth

• Repetitive trauma, such as that caused by teeth grinding (bruxism) or jaw misalignment

• Gradual decay or a tooth cavity

• Dental procedures leaving a tooth unsealed

Certain lifestyle factors can increase your risk of pulpitis as they increase the risk of exposed pulp. These include:

• Neglecting oral health

• Regularly engaging in a sport or hobby that involves mouth trauma, i.e. boxing

• A poor diet with foods high in sugar and acid

Diagnosing Pulpitis

If you are worried that you may have pulpitis, then you should visit your dentist. First, a dentist will use an X-ray to determine how decayed or damaged your tooth is, as well as the extent of tooth pulp inflammation.

To diagnose the extent of damage to your tooth pulp, your dentist may perform a sensitivity test. These include:

Electric Tooth Pulp Tests: A small electrical pulse is sent to your tooth pulp to check if it is alive. If you can feel the pulse, your tooth pulp is alive; if not, it is likely dead.

Temperature Tests: A hot or cold probe is placed on the tooth. If you are sensitive to the change in temperature, the pulp is alive; if not, it is likely dead or necrotised.

Tooth Tap Tests: A small probe is used to tap your tooth. Pain when this is done is an irreversible pulpitis symptom.

Pulpitis Treatment

Once diagnosed, the pulpitis treatment your dentist will recommend will depend on the extent of your infection. For minor and reversible pulpitis, treatment will focus on treating the cause of inflammation and reducing the chance of reinfection. This often involves removing decayed areas of the tooth and resealing them to prevent future bacterial entry.

Irreversible pulpitis will require more serious treatment, potentially with a specialist. The two most common treatment options used for irreversible pulpitis are:

• Root Canal Treatment: A root canal is a treatment used to remove infected tooth pulp. It is performed by a dentist or a specialist dentist known as an endodontist, who opens the tooth, removes the infected pulp, fills the root canal and then fills the tooth and seals it to avoid reinfection. A successful root canal will save the tooth from extraction and prevent future infection.

• Tooth Removal: In some cases of irreversible pulpitis and pulp necrosis, it may not be possible to save your tooth. In this instance, a tooth removal (extraction) will be performed to stop the spread of pulpitis to other teeth and the jaw.

Pulpitis Complications

If pulpitis is left untreated, it can have some serious complications. Irreversible pulpitis can cause infection and painful abscesses at the root of the tooth called periapical abscesses. An infection in the root of the tooth is potentially dangerous and can spread into the jaw, neck, chest, and even the brain if left untreated.

Signs of an infection include pain around the root of the tooth and the site of infection, a fever, and swollen glands. If you experience these symptoms, visit your doctor as soon as you can.

Pulpitis Prevention

Pulpitis is a harmful condition, and while you cannot reduce your chances of contracting it completely, you can implement several lifestyle changes to minimise your risk.

The best way to prevent pulpitis is with good oral care. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly will keep your teeth clean and help reduce the buildup of bacteria. Regular dentist trips are also recommended to check for cavities, tooth decay, and other risk factors for pulpitis.

You should also use a mouthguard if you grind your teeth at night or partake in any activities with a high risk of oral trauma. If you suspect you have a cracked tooth or any break in your enamel, visit your dentist as soon as you can to reseal the tooth.

Stop Dental Problems in Their Tracks

When it comes to preventing conditions like pulpitis, a consistent and effective oral care routine is key. A clean, well-maintained mouth is important to maintaining a healthy mouth, and Oral-B is here to support you every step of the way.

Oral-B iO Series electric toothbrushes give your teeth a deep clean while being gentle on sensitive areas. Along with regular dental check-ups to catch early signs of pulpitis or tooth decay, using quality oral care tools helps keep your mouth healthy.

Oral-B champions a proactive approach to oral health—encouraging you to maintain daily care habits that not only preserve your smile but protect the health of your teeth from the inside out.