Difference between toothache due to excessive internal heat and pulpitis

Written by Wang Peng
Dentistry
Updated on May 11, 2025
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Toothache caused by "excessive internal heat" usually refers to periodontal abscess or acute exacerbation of periodontal disease, whereas pulpitis involves an irreversible inflammatory reaction within the dental pulp inside the root of the tooth, and these two conditions are very different. Toothache from "excessive internal heat" related to periodontal swelling and pain refers to inflammation of the gums around the tooth. Pulpitis, on the other hand, involves inflammation of the nerves inside the tooth; thus, their specific locations are different. Toothache caused by "excessive internal heat" typically gives a feeling of the tooth being loose, but pulpitis results in localized tooth pain, which is difficult to pinpoint and can sometimes extend to include facial and head areas, presenting as radiating pain.

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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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Remedies for Tooth Pulpitis Pain at Night

Pulpitis pain is a type of acute pain that occurs after the dental nerve is infected by bacteria. The pulp tissue is a soft tissue, surrounded by the hard dentin and bone. Therefore, once the pulp tissue is infected, the pressure inside the pulp cavity increases rapidly, and if this pressure is not relieved, it can lead to sharp, severe pain, especially at night, often waking one from sleep. Pulpitis pain at night first requires prompt medical attention, followed by pulp opening and drainage. After the inflammation subsides, it can effectively relieve the pain. If medical attention is not available in time, oral analgesics can be taken for pain relief.

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Written by Wang Peng
Dentistry
47sec home-news-image

Difference between toothache due to excessive internal heat and pulpitis

Toothache caused by "excessive internal heat" usually refers to periodontal abscess or acute exacerbation of periodontal disease, whereas pulpitis involves an irreversible inflammatory reaction within the dental pulp inside the root of the tooth, and these two conditions are very different. Toothache from "excessive internal heat" related to periodontal swelling and pain refers to inflammation of the gums around the tooth. Pulpitis, on the other hand, involves inflammation of the nerves inside the tooth; thus, their specific locations are different. Toothache caused by "excessive internal heat" typically gives a feeling of the tooth being loose, but pulpitis results in localized tooth pain, which is difficult to pinpoint and can sometimes extend to include facial and head areas, presenting as radiating pain.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
57sec home-news-image

Can pulpitis be cured?

Pulpitis is caused by the further development of caries, which allows bacterial infection to reach the pulp tissue, causing an inflammatory reaction. Caries is just a bacterial infection of the hard tissues of the teeth. If it is stopped in time, that is, by drilling to remove the infected part and filling the tooth, it is very difficult for pulpitis to occur. If the bacteria are not removed in time with a drill, further infection can cause inflammation of the tooth nerve, resulting in symptoms of pulpitis, including obvious pain from cold, heat, acidity, and sweetness stimuli, nighttime pain, and worsening with temperature stimuli. Pulpitis requires dental treatment, including nerve devitalization, medication after nerve death, and ultimately root canal filling. This means that a complete root canal treatment is needed to cure it.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Is pulpitis serious?

Pulpitis is a severe pain caused by bacterial infection of the pulp tissue, also known as the tooth nerve. The clinical symptoms of pulpitis are very severe, especially severe secondary pain, irritative pain, as well as indirect pain and pain that cannot be localized. Pulpitis results from the further development of dental caries. In the early stages of bacterial infection, if the carious decay of the tooth's hard tissue is not promptly filled, and if the progression of the caries is not timely halted, bacteria will further infect and cause inflammation of the tooth nerve, leading to pulpitis. This condition requires root canal treatment to alleviate the symptoms. Otherwise, the inflammation will further accumulate around the root apex, causing severe apical periodontitis and even leading to space infection or facial swelling.