If your tooth pulp is destroyed or you have dental decay, the pulp might become exposed, which can lead to an infection. Exposed pulp is prone to infection and should be treated by a dentist.
What is tooth pulp?
The hard enamel and dentin layers of your tooth are largely made of minerals, but the pulp is the living component of your tooth. it has a jelly-like consistency and includes a variety of components such as blood vessels, nerves, connective tissue, and specialized cells.
The pulp of your tooth is the only portion of your tooth that has blood vessels and nerves. The primary tasks of tooth pulp are to regenerate dentin and to offer nutrients to your tooth. Pulp also contributes to the health of your dentin layer by supplying it with moisture and vital nutrients including albumin and fibrinogen.
What is the pulp chamber?
Your pulp chamber is the hollowed-out region in your tooth's body or crown, and your root canal is the segment that extends down the root. The pulp chamber and the root canal are separated by this hollowed-out region. Your tooth pulp is situated in the hollow middle of your tooth.
How do I know if there are issues with my tooth pulp?
Symptoms vary between conditions. Most pulp conditions are a result of tooth decay and cause inflammation, tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, tooth sensitivity to sweet foods, and pain.
If you do develop an infection, warning signs include fever, bad breath, dental abscesses (with resulting pus), swelling in and around the cheek, and swollen lymph nodes. It's usually a good idea to contact a dentist if you notice these symptoms. If your dentist catches tooth pulp issues early, then chances are that treatment will be less invasive.
What are some tooth pulp conditions?
Pulpitis
Tooth decay, unexpected traumas, and persistent tooth grinding can all expose your pulp and put it at risk of infection. Pulpitis is an inflammation of the pulp of your tooth that might be reversible or irreversible. Both forms of pulpitis can induce discomfort as well as inflammation and sensitivity. Irreversible pulpitis causes more severe symptoms.
Reversible pulpitis is classified as mild inflammation that can be reversed and generally only causes mild pain. Irreversible pulpitis means the tooth cannot be saved and can cause severe, lingering pain.
Pulp necrosis
The death of the pulp inside your tooth is referred to as pulp necrosis. This is usually caused by advanced tooth decay. A tooth abscess can spread to other regions of your body and be fatal if left untreated. A root canal may be able to save a tooth in certain circumstances; in others, your tooth may need to be removed.
Dental pulp calcification
Dental pulp calcification is a condition in which hard calcium lumps grow in your pulp. These "pulp stones" might form in one or all of your teeth. They can either float freely in the pulp of your tooth or bond to the dentin around it.