If you were to crack open a tooth, you’d find that it isn’t solid all the way through. Each of your teeth has a jelly-like core called tooth pulp or dental pulp.
Each of your teeth are made up of four layers, which include:
- Enamel. This is the visible outermost layer that protects your tooth. Your enamel is the
hardest tissue in your body. - Dentin. This is the middle layer that supports your enamel and protects the inner pulp.
- Tooth pulp. This is the innermost layer that contains nerves and blood vessels.
- Cementum. This is the hard layer that coats and protects the root of your tooth underneath your gums.
Your tooth pulp is protected by the harder outer layers. But if your tooth is damaged or if you have tooth decay, the pulp can become exposed.
Exposed pulp is susceptible to an infection and requires prompt treatment from a dental professional.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what tooth pulp is, as well as the conditions that can affect this inner part of your tooth.
Your tooth’s hard enamel and dentin layers are mostly composed of minerals. Your tooth pulp is the part of your tooth that’s alive. It has a jelly-like consistency and contains:
- blood vessels
- nerves
- connective tissue
- specialized cells
The main functions of your tooth pulp are to
Your tooth pulp also helps keep your dentin layer healthy by providing it with moisture and essential nutrients like albumin and fibrinogen.
Nerves in your dental pulp help protect your tooth by allowing you to sense damage to your tooth as well as changes in temperature or pressure.
Your tooth pulp is the only part of your tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves.
If your pulp becomes severely damaged, your tooth will lose its blood and nerve supply.
Your tooth pulp is found in the hollow center of your tooth. This hollowed out area is divided into two parts: your pulp chamber and your root canal.
Your pulp chamber is the hollowed-out space in the body or crown of your tooth, and your root canal is the section that extends down the root.
Specific symptoms of a tooth pulp concern can vary depending on the condition. Most pulp conditions such as pulpitis are a result of tooth decay and may cause not only pain, but also:
- inflammation
- increased sensitivity to hot and cold
- sensitivity to sweet foods
If you develop a serious infection in your tooth pulp, you may notice:
- fever
- bad breath
- dental abscess (pus)
- swelling around your cheek
- swollen lymph nodes
If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist.
If your dentist diagnoses a tooth condition early, the treatment will likely be less invasive, and it may be easier to restore the health of your tooth.
Pulpitis
Pulpitis is inflammation of your tooth pulp. It happens when bacteria bypass your dentin and enamel and get into your dental pulp.
Tooth decay, sudden injuries, and chronic tooth grinding can expose your pulp and put it at risk of developing an infection.
Pulpitis can be classified as either reversible or irreversible. Both types of pulpitis can cause not only pain, but also inflammation, and sensitivity. Symptoms are more severe with irreversible pulpitis.
Here’s a look at the key differences between these two conditions:
Reversible pulpitis
Reversible pulpitis refers to inflammation that’s mild enough for your tooth pulp to be saved. Pain is generally mild, and you may only notice it while eating.
The most common cause of reversible pulpitis is tooth decay.
According to a
Irreversible pulpits
Irreversible pulpitis is inflammation that has progressed to the point that your tooth pulp can’t be saved. It can cause severe, lingering pain, that also lead to pulp necrosis or pulp death.
A dental professional may be able to save your tooth with a pulpectomy.
A pulpectomy is the first part of a root canal and involves removing your pulp. In other cases, your dentist may need to remove your entire tooth.
Pulp necrosis
Pulp necrosis refers to the death of your pulp inside your tooth. It’s often the result of chronic pulpitis. According to a
Before your condition progresses to pulp necrosis, you may experience pain, inflammation, and other symptoms of pulpitis. Once at the stage of necrosis, you may no longer feel pain if a nerve dies.
Pulp necrosis can lead to a dental abscess, which is a buildup of pus inside your tooth. If untreated, a dental abscess can move to other parts of your body and be life threatening.
In some cases, a root canal may be able to save a tooth with pulp necrosis. In other cases, your tooth will need to be pulled.
Dental pulp calcification
Dental pulp calcification is a condition that causes hard lumps of calcium to form in your pulp. These hard lumps are also known as dental pulp stones.
Pulp stones can develop in one or all of your teeth, according to a 2016 research review. They can either float freely in your tooth pulp or bind to the surrounding dentin. They occur more often in molar teeth.
The cause of dental pulp calcification remains largely unknown, but your risk of developing this condition seems to increase with age.
Pulp stones often don’t cause any symptoms, but they may cause problems during a root canal.
The most effective way to lower your risk of conditions like pulpitis and pulp necrosis is by practicing good dental hygiene. This includes:
- brushing your teeth twice a day for a minimum of 2 minutes each time with a soft-bristled brush
- brushing each tooth on all sides every time you brush your teeth
- using a fluoride toothpaste
- flossing between your teeth at least once a day
- drinking water regularly, especially after eating
- using a mouthguard at night if you tend to grind your teeth when you sleep
- contacting your dentist twice a year for a checkup and dental cleaning
Your tooth pulp is the innermost layer of your tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels.
Your tooth pulp is protected by layers of dentin and enamel. However, tooth decay or injuries to your tooth can expose your pulp and make it susceptible to infection.
If you notice any signs of tooth decay or have symptoms such as pain, sensitivity, or inflammation, it’s important to contact your dentist as soon as possible.
The sooner you can get the right treatment, the better the outcome will likely be for your affected tooth.