Pulpitis is the inflammation of the dental pulp, which includes the dental nerve and blood supply located within the tooth. If the pulp becomes inflamed or infected it can be the source of very nasty pain.

Pulpitis is caused by bacterial infection of the dental pulp, initially caused by dental cavities. Once the infection penetrates to the centre of the tooth it will cause a toothache that may be intense and intermittent or dull and throbbing and can be very severe. These are known as acute and chronic pulpitis and are caused by slightly different areas of the pulp becoming infected.

Pulpitis can also be classified as reversible and irreversible. This distinction is made by the level of inflammation that has occurred and whether it is possible for the inflammation to disappear on its own or whether it will need dental treatment. Reversible pulpitis is more mild inflammation caused by dental caries that should heal naturally. Irreversible pulpitis will need a treatment called a root canal to remove the infection and bring an end to the pain. However, it is important that if you suspect an inflammation of any sort has occurred, that you see a City of London dentist as soon as possible. This is because even if the pain has disappeared, it may be as the result of the death of the dental nerve, rather than the inflammation receding naturally.

If the infection is deemed to be irreversible, your dentist will need to carry out a root canal, a procedure with a fearsome reputation, but one that may be slightly undeserved. A well-performed root canal should be no more painful than a filling or crown.

We all brush our teeth everyday. It’s something that is instilled into us from a young age, but not nearly so many of us floss. Some people see it as an extra hassle, something that should really be done but doesn’t matter a great deal if it’s not. This could be a very dangerous attitude as dentists are urging all of us to realise how important flossing is for our oral health.

Brushing removes plaque and bacteria that build up on the flat surfaces of the teeth. This helps to prevent tooth decay that causes dental cavities. Brushing also stimulates the gums helping to remove bacteria that stop the dangerous and unfortunately common gum disease. But there are many areas of the teeth and gums that cannot be reached with a toothbrush. The bristles of a standard toothbrush are too wide to fit in the gaps between teeth where food particles and bacteria can accumulate. This allows plaque to take a foothold and start eroding the protective tooth enamel. Flossing allows you to clean these narrow areas between the teeth and also around their base.

In addition, flossing also helps to prevent inflamed gum tissue around the base of the teeth causing further problems. This is because inflamed tissue creates small pockets between the gums and the teeth, which can act as shelters for plaque and bacteria. By flossing, this tissue is cleaned and subsides to a more natural level making cleaning easier. For more information and techniques of how to floss most effectively, make an appointment to se a London dentist.