Going to the dentist isn't any fun, but it is one of those things that just has to be done. For years, I fought the process and didn't go for my regular cleanings and in the end, it sure didn't pay to do so. I ended up spending ten times as much time in the chair and a boat-load of money in dental repairs. If you don't like going to the dentist, you can make it easier on yourself. This blog will show you a few tips that can help you improve the experience and get through the treatment without as much discomfort.
going to the dentist with less anxiety
Pulpitis: Do You Have A Dental Emergency?
Jordan Arnold
Pulpitis, or inflammation of a tooth's pulp chamber, is a dental problem that can strike without warning. Pulpitis can be mild enough to reverse with a restorative filling, or the inflammation can be severe enough to require root canal treatment. In both cases, emergency dental care is needed. You can find additional information about pulpitis and how you should go about treating it below.
What's Pulpitis?
Each tooth contains pulp, or blood vessels and nerves. These soft tissues are housed inside a small compartment called the pulp chamber. In healthy teeth, you can't see the pulp chamber or tissues inside it. However, severe tooth decay, fractures, and chips can expose the chamber and pulp to germs. If pulp tissue becomes infected by germs, you can develop a condition called pulpitis.
Pain (a toothache) is generally the first symptom people experience when they have pulpitis. You can feel pain in your jaw, temple, or cheekbone. The tooth can also become overly sensitive to cold food and hot beverages, especially if the nerves are completely exposed. The lymph nodes in your throat, ears, and neck might also swell from inflammation. Some people can experience sinus, ear, and throat pain from pulpitis.
You can control the pain temporarily with aspirin and other OTC medications. However, OTC medications can't fight the infection in your tooth. Pulpitis typically requires a dental clinic visit to overcome.
How Do Dentists Treat Pulpitis?
Pulpitis can cause extensive damage to your tooth and underlying structure if it goes untreated. In this case, your tooth will need root canal therapy to restore it to its full function. If the inflammation in your tooth is isolated to the pulp chamber, an emergency dentist can use a traditional filling and cap (dental crown) to stop the pain.
After treatment, a dentist may ask you to do several things to help your tooth heal. You may need to avoid hard foods, such as meat and crunchy vegetables, during the healing time. You want to avoid aggravating the restored tooth. You may also need to visit a dental clinic later on for a checkup. A dentist needs to see if the tooth is healing properly or if it needs additional treatment. Some teeth can continue to feel sensitive or sore even after treatment.
If you're in severe pain and can't overcome it at home, contact a dental clinic or emergency dentist for immediate care and treatment.
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