PULPITIS (TOOTHACHE)

Overview

Pulpitis is an inflammation of the pulp. The pulp is a spongy soft tissue of nerves and blood vessels encased by tooth structure. In the crown, the enamel and dentine encases the pulp. When the integrity of the enamel and dentine is compromised eg through decay, the pulp is exposed to irritants. This provokes a response which you feel as a toothache.

Pulpitis may be,

• Reversible – the pulp is able to heal if the irritation is removed eg by doing a filling in the case of decay        
• Irreversible – the pulp is unable to heal and requires pulp therapy or root canal treatment  

Causes
You may experience a toothache if,

• there is decay
• there is gum disease
• there is food impacted in your gum
• if your tooth has suffered trauma
• there is a crack in your filling or tooth
• if you have sinusitis
  -         the roots of your molar teeth lie close to your sinus, a sinus infection could result in these teeth being tender on biting
• there is underlying pathology of your bone eg tumour or cysts
• there is no identifiable cause but there is chronic, distressing pain related to a tooth ( atypical toothache)

Symptoms
When you have a toothache, you may experience any of the following.
The intensity of symptoms may vary.

• pain on eating or drinking hot or cold food/drinks
• 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

When to seek help
You should see a dentist immediately if you experience a toothache. In the meantime, the following may ease the discomfort.

• avoid hot or cold food
• avoid biting on the involved tooth
• take an over the counter painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
• if there is an open cavity, apply a cotton soaked in oil of cloves (eugenol) into the cavity  

Treatment
Your dentist will be able to diagnose whether the pulpitis is reversibile or not. He will carry out tests on the tooth and take radiographs. Treatment will be directed at the cause.

In the case of atypical toothache, where there is no identifiable cause, medication is the treatment of choice. Symptoms do not subside with extraction of the tooth in atypical toothache.

Prevention
The best way to prevent toothache is to prevent dental 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 a fluoride tooth paste twice daily
• Flossing at least once a day
• Regular visits to the dentist for check up.

To book an appointment with this service, please call 6324 8802.