Causes And Risk Factors For Pulpitis

Pulpitis is the inflammation of the inner part of the tooth or pulp, which houses the nerves and blood supply for each tooth. Many times, this is caused by bacteria invading the pulp, resulting in inflammation. The inflammation can cause pain and discomfort in the tooth. There are two kinds of pulpitis. Reversible pulpitis is characterized by pain that strikes and then goes away, like if individuals drink something too cold. This is when a filling might be appropriate. Irreversible pulpitis is more serious and can mean the pulp is damaged and cannot be saved. Patients may experience an abscess in the area because dead tissue and infection overtook the pulp and the blood supply was lost. This is when a root canal might be necessary.

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Fractured Tooth

If individuals suffer from a fractured tooth, it may expose the pulp of the tooth. When this happens, patients are essentially exposing the nerves to the air. Patients might experience a lot of pain and discomfort when this happens. When the tooth is cracked or fractured, it allows for movement in the pulp, causing irritation. If individuals do not get it fixed quickly, it can cause irreversible damage to the pulp and it will not be able to heal itself. Additionally, it leaves the tooth susceptible to infection of the pulp, bone, and gum. A fractured tooth can be saved if too much damage has not been done. This can be accomplished with either a filling to fill in the crack or a crown to cover the tooth and hold everything in place. This will save the existing tooth, pulp, and root.

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Tooth Decay Or Cavities

If individuals have tooth decay or cavities, it is important to get them repaired quickly. The longer patients wait, the worse the condition gets, the higher the risk of pulpitis is, and the more treatment they will need. These conditions can be corrected with fillings or crowns. However, if patients put off getting it fixed, the cavity can get worse and break through the hard outer part of the tooth. If the fracture is too bad and the root has been affected, patients might need a root canal and a crown. During a root canal, the dentist removes the pulp and uses a filling to take its place. After the root canal is completed, patients will usually get a crown put on top, which will protect the tooth and prevent any further damage. If the infection is too bad and cannot be fixed with a root canal, extraction of the tooth might be necessary. However, then patients may have to consider getting an implant or a bridge to fill the space where the other tooth was located.

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Jaw Misalignment

Jaw misalignment can cause patients to bite down on their teeth incorrectly. Symptoms of this condition include jaw tenderness, clicking sounds, facial pain, trismus, and difficulty fully opening the mouth. This will cause wear and tear on the teeth and possibly wear them down. When the teeth get worn down, it can create an opportunity for the pulp to get irritated (pulpitis), even without outside bacteria. Patients may need jaw realignment treatment to correct the bite of their teeth. However, unlike in the past, there are ways to get this done without surgery. Having a properly aligned jaw can reduce the chance of pulp irritation and other problems caused by pulpitis. Without treatment, patients may wear away their teeth unevenly and need root canal or crowns to fix the teeth that have exposed the pulp.

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Injury To The Teeth

If individuals suffer an injury to their teeth, they can have a variety of problems. The trauma experienced can affect multiple teeth. The injury can result in patients moving some of their teeth and irritating the pulp and nerves within each of them. When the pulp is irritated, it becomes inflamed. Depending on the extent of the trauma, pulpitis may be reversible or irreversible. If it is reversible, the dentist may want to monitor the teeth and make sure no intervention is needed and no bacteria has entered the pulp. If it is irreversible, the dentist will have no choice but to perform a root canal or perhaps even a tooth extraction. The difference between the two kinds of pulpitis is in reversible pulpitis, the pulp can repair itself. This is contrary to irreversible, where the pulp is too damaged and cannot heal, resulting in the death of the tooth.

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Bruxism

Bruxism is commonly known as teeth grinding. Some individuals grind their teeth consistently, but many only grind their teeth in their sleep. And, because they are asleep, individuals cannot consciously stop doing it. This grinding can get so severe that they grind away the protection of the teeth. Patients will eventually hit the dentin part of the tooth, which is where all the nerve endings are located. The nerve endings can cause the pulp to become sensitive. So, continual grinding will cause the pulp to become inflamed, assisting in the development of pulpitis. A dentist can usually tell just by looking at a patient's teeth if they grind them. They can prescribe a dental guard for patients to wear at night to prevent the teeth from grinding against each other and stop the damage the habit is causing. However, if individuals have ground down their teeth extensively, they may need cosmetic dentistry.