Pulpitis is a rather unpleasant dental condition that is caused as a consequence of dental cavities. When tooth enamel has been eroded by decay, the softer inner parts of the tooth are exposed to bacteria and other stimuli such as hot and cold food. If the pulp, which is the soft matter surrounding the dental nerve, is attacked by bacteria or irritated by hot or cold temperatures it can become inflamed resulting in pulpitis.
This can be the cause of significant pain in the mouth as when the pulp expands it puts a lot of pressure on the dental nerve. The pain can be so severe that patients often have difficulty pinpointing exactly where it is coming from as it may feel like several surrounding teeth are also in pain. Because the dentine and enamel that surround the pulp and nerve are more solid and no flexible, the inflamed and expanded pulp has nowhere to go. This can make it very difficult to treat before necrosis, or the death of the live part of the tooth, occurs.
If the inflammation is not treatable before the dental nerve dies it is known as irreversible pulpitis and involves the death and possible loss of the tooth. On other occasions the pulpitis may be treated successfully by a Central Leeds dentist. The cavity can then be filled after cleaning to protect the tooth from any damage. It is important with pulpitis, as with all dental concerns that you see a dentist as soon as possible after pain begins or you suspect that something is not right with your teeth. It could make the difference between keeping and losing a tooth.
Tags: bacteria, dental cavities, Pulpitis
