Pulpitis alleviated by cold water

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on September 28, 2024
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Relief from pulpitis with cold water is a typical clinical manifestation of acute suppurative pulpitis, characterized by pain with heat and relief with cold. It is common to see patients coming to the clinic holding cold water or holding cold water in their mouth to help alleviate the pain. For this type of acute suppurative pulpitis, the initial treatment should involve opening the pulp to relieve pressure. After the pressure is relieved, a devitalizing agent is used to devitalize the tissue, which is commonly referred to as "killing the nerve." Once the nerve is dead, the pulp tissue loses its sensory function, and the intensity of the pain will be alleviated.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Late-stage consequences of pulpitis

Pulpitis is a severe pain manifestation caused by bacterial infection of the dental pulp tissue. If pulpitis is not treated in a timely manner, and it develops to a late stage, it might intensify the pain. In the early stages, the pain may only occur when eating or due to temperature sensitivity. In the later stages of pulpitis, spontaneous pain may occur, meaning that the teeth may hurt without any external stimuli, or symptoms of nighttime pain might appear, often causing pain at night or pain that can awaken someone from sleep. In its late stages, pulpitis can also develop into pus formation in the pulp tissue, also known as suppurative pulpitis, characterized by pain relief with cold and exacerbation with heat, meaning that cold water can relieve the pain, while hot water can worsen it.

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What is pulpitis?

Pulpitis is also an inflammatory reaction occurring in the pulp tissue, caused by the further infection of bacteria when tooth decay is not timely halted, and it represents the natural conclusion of tooth decay. The dental tissues are divided into enamel, dentin, cementum, and pulp tissue, with the pulp tissue located on the innermost side, which is commonly referred to as the dental nerve. If the bacterial infection is not promptly halted in the early stages within the hard tissues of the tooth, that is, if the tooth is not filled in time, the bacteria then further infect the innermost pulp tissue, causing inflammation of the pulp tissue, which is clinically referred to as pulpitis. Pulpitis involves severe pain, necessitating prompt root canal treatment for the tooth.

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Can a tooth with pulpitis be extracted?

Pulpitis cannot be treated by tooth extraction. Initially, pulpitis involves an inflammatory response in the pulp tissue. Extracting the tooth at this stage can cause the inflammation to spread throughout the body and, in severe cases, can lead to sepsis. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to avoid tooth extraction during a pulpitis attack. However, dental treatment can be performed during a pulpitis flare-up. Firstly, the acute pain in pulpitis is caused by increased pressure within the pulp. The primary method involves performing a pulpotomy to relieve this pressure. Once the pressure is alleviated, root canal medication can be applied, followed by root canal filling to complete the root canal treatment and preserve the tooth.

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How is pulpitis caused?

Pulpitis is generally caused by the progression of dental caries. Bacteria infect the hard tissues of the tooth, which is referred to as dental caries in the early stages. If the decayed parts are not removed in time for dental filling, meaning the teeth are not filled promptly, the bacteria will further infect the pulp tissue, leading to pulpitis. Pulpitis is actually the outcome of further bacterial development. However, if pulpitis is not treated in time, the inflammation can advance to the root apex, causing apical periodontitis. Therefore, pulpitis requires prompt endodontic treatment of the tooth. After controlling the inflammation, the root canal is filled. Following the filling of the root canal, the top of the tooth crown is sealed, which involves the filling of the tooth.

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Can pulpitis heal by itself?

Pulpitis is more difficult to heal on its own. It is a disease caused by bacterial infection of the pulp tissue and is irreversible. The pulp is located inside the pulp chamber, and once inflammation occurs, it is difficult to heal on its own, and even if it heals, it is only temporary. Pulpitis requires timely treatment. If not treated promptly, the progression of the disease may lead to complications such as periapical periodontitis and periodontal abscess, which not only increase the difficulty of treatment but also cause pain to the patient, affecting their normal life. To treat pulpitis, it is necessary to remove the pulp and eliminate the infection inside the root canal with root canal treatment. Only by doing so can the tooth be preserved. Therefore, it is important to maintain oral hygiene, brush teeth in the morning and evening, rinse after meals, and use the internationally recognized Bass method for brushing.