Can pulpitis be cured by taking medicine?

Written by Tian Hua
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 20, 2025
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During an acute episode of pulpitis, patients experience very severe spontaneous pain, paroxysmal sharp pain, and pain from hot and cold stimuli, which sometimes radiates to the head and intensifies at night. Medication for pulpitis is ineffective, as anti-inflammatory drugs only address the symptoms and not the root cause. In such cases, it is essential to visit a hospital, where a dentist can perform a pulpectomy, conduct root canal treatment, thoroughly treat the inflamed pulp, remove the infected dentin, apply medication inside the root canal, and then seal and fill the root canal tightly. Only through comprehensive root canal treatment can pulpitis be completely cured.

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Written by Fang Xiao
Dentistry
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Pulpitis is sensitive to cold or heat?

Pulpitis is sensitive to both cold and heat, and this sensitivity is a symptom of the condition. The dental pulp is protected by enamel and dentin, and generally does not exhibit sensitivity. However, if there are deep cavities, split wedge-shaped defects, severe wear, or fractures that compromise the outer protection, it can lead to inflammation of the dental nerve and sensitivity to temperature changes. In such cases, nerve removal treatment, also known as root canal treatment, is required. Root canal treatment involves the removal of the pulp and necrotic material from the root canal, disinfecting it, and tightly filling the root canal to eliminate any infection that could adversely affect the surrounding periapical tissue and prevent re-infection. Root canal treatment requires three to four follow-up visits and can be costly. Therefore, it is important to detect and treat cavities early.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Does pulpitis require hospitalization?

Pulpitis does not require hospitalization; it can be treated routinely in a dental outpatient clinic. Pulpitis results from the progression of caries. If dental caries are not addressed early with fillings, bacteria can infect further, reaching the dental nerves and causing symptoms of pulpitis. Severe pulpitis can cause pain when eating, pain at night, and poorly localized pain, which might radiate to the temporal area of the ear, causing intense discomfort. Routine outpatient treatments for pulpitis include nerve removal, anti-inflammation, and finally, root canal filling. A comprehensive root canal treatment can effectively resolve the symptoms of pulpitis, making hospitalization unnecessary.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Is pulpitis the same as tooth decay?

Pulpitis is actually a pain response that occurs when tooth decay further develops inflammation reaching the dental pulp tissue. Strictly speaking, pulpitis is an inflammatory pain response of the dental pulp that occurs when tooth decay further develops bacterial infection of the dental pulp tissue. Pulpitis requires early dental treatment. For tooth decay, it is sometimes sufficient to remove the decayed infected dental tissue and directly fill it. In cases of pulpitis, where the dental nerve is already exposed, anti-inflammatory treatment is necessary. First, the infected dental pulp tissue is removed with a drill, and since the dental nerve is exposed, nerve-killing is required. After controlling the inflammation, the root canal is disinfected, medication is placed in the root canal, and then the root canal is filled, which means that a complete root canal treatment is needed.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Can pulpitis heal by itself?

Pulpitis can pathologically be divided into reversible pulpitis and irreversible pulpitis. Reversible pulpitis can sometimes heal on its own if external thermal stimuli are removed. Clinically, it may manifest as pain intensified by temperature stimuli, which disappears after the stimuli are removed. This condition can improve on its own with appropriate soothing treatment. If pulpitis progresses to irreversible pulpitis, it cannot heal on its own and requires prompt root canal treatment to alleviate the condition. If it worsens, it may lead to symptoms of apical periodontitis, hence root canal treatment needs to be performed as soon as possible for pulpitis.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How to relieve the pain of pulpitis?

The pain caused by pulpitis can be alleviated through medication or root canal treatment. Pulpitis, a severe pain resulting from bacterial infection of the dental nerve, can sometimes radiate to the temporal area, causing ear pain or headaches. If not treated promptly, oral pain relief medications can be used for temporary relief; however, these drugs only serve as an adjunctive therapy and do not fundamentally resolve the tooth pain. The definitive solution requires root canal treatment, which relieves the pressure within the pulp chamber, alleviating the pain of pulpitis. After alleviation, further dental treatment is necessary. If the teeth are not treated following relief, further infection might lead to apical periodontitis, and in severe cases, can result in facial cellulitis, also known as a space infection.