Poor dental hygiene causes tooth decay and other oral conditions including dental pulp diseases. Poor maintenance of your mouth could leave your smile in danger of cavities and other plaque attacks. If you have an untreated cavity, the center of the tooth–or the pulp–could be damaged. These pulps house the sensitive nerves and blood vessels that are essential for your teeth to be regulated. If your pulp disease is left untreated, you could potentially lose the affected tooth.

You can recognize a pulp disease using the following symptoms: pain in a tooth or multiple teeth when eating something very hot or very cold, sudden or quick flashes of pain in the mouth, and what appears to be a red or infected mouth. Pulp diseases are not something to joke about, especially when you consider how many types there are:

Reversible pulpitis. This is a mild inflammation of the pulp that can be recognized through eating and drinking pains. Without treatment this could lead to a dental abscess (a collection of bacteria and pus). You can often treat this pulp disease, but sometimes a filling is needed if the condition progresses too far. You could also suffer from pulpitis if you crack your tooth and it is improperly treated.

Irreversible pulpitis. This is a severe inflammation of the pulp that can’t be cured. Symptoms include sudden intense pain. Left untreated, it can result in a widespread gum and connective tissue infection. The procedure used is typically a root canal, but if unsuccessful the tooth may need to be removed.

Dental pulp stones, or pulp calcification.  This is a condition in which hardening, or calcification, of pulp tissue results in hypersensitivity and extreme pain because the dental nerves become compressed. A root canal is usually necessary to remove the hardened areas of pulp.

Dental pulp exposure. Usually this happens in response to a cavity or crack in the exterior of the tooth, which exposes the pulp to bacteria and food irritating particles. Pain is usually what will make you realize there is a problem, and this can also create an abscess.

Pulp diseases come in many types, but none are good for your oral health. Protect your mouth by regularly visiting our office and contacting us if you suspect you suffer from a pulp disease.