Pulpitis is inflammation of the pulp, the soft tissue with nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth. It is most often caused by deep decay, a crack or an old, leaking filling, and shows up as sharp, often throbbing pain that gets worse with heat, cold or in the evening.
Left untreated, the infection spreads through the tip of the root into the bone: this is periodontitis. The tooth then hurts when you bite, swelling may appear and sometimes an abscess forms.
When to see us
- Spontaneous, throbbing pain that wakes you at night
- Pain from hot or cold that lingers long after the trigger
- Pain on biting, or a feeling that the tooth is 'too high'
- Swelling of the gum or face around the painful tooth
During regular hours we work with the NHIF. Ask us which treatments are covered in your case.
Frequently asked questions
Can pulpitis go away on its own?
The pain sometimes eases for a while, but that often means the nerve is dying, not that the problem is solved. The infection continues and can lead to an abscess, so the tooth needs treatment.
Does the tooth need to be removed?
In most cases, no. The aim of treatment is to keep your own tooth. We only recommend extraction when the tooth can't be restored.