Treatment of Pulpitis in Children

A common cause of dental pain is inflammation of the dental nerve, known as pulpitis, which can occur in both children and adults. Anyone experiencing this condition should seek dental care as soon as possible. If treated at an early stage, the tooth can still be saved. In acute pulpitis, the pain usually arises spontaneously. It may be constant or occur intermittently. In rare cases, the inflammation may progress without any noticeable pain. If the affected tooth is sensitive to pressure or tapping, it indicates nerve involvement. Pain can also occur upon touching the tooth with the tongue, especially when biting. The pain often worsens at night, as the warmth of the bed accelerates the inflammatory process.

If pulpitis in children is not treated, bacteria can spread from the pulp chamber through the root tip into the surrounding bone and soft tissues. As a result, the inflammation spreads, causing swelling of the cheek and lymph nodes.

Bacteria destroy the tooth structure and eventually reach the pulp chamber. The pulp consists of nerve fibres, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and connective tissue. When infected by bacteria, it becomes inflamed in an attempt to defend the body. If this fails, the pulp begins to die, leading to a purulent infection of the tooth. If bacteria spread beyond the pulp into the jawbone and surrounding soft tissues, characteristic swelling occurs. However, the dental nerve can also be damaged by other causes, for example, dental trauma, known as traumatic pulpitis. Dentists distinguish between reversible and irreversible pulpitis:

• In reversible pulpitis, there is still a good chance of recovery, as the inflammation can be reversed.
• In irreversible pulpitis, the damage is too extensive to heal, and the dental nerve must be removed through root canal treatment.

In reversible pulpitis, the tooth responds to hot, sweet, cold, or acidic stimuli with short, sharp pain. In irreversible pulpitis, patients often suffer from constant, throbbing pain, which can be difficult to localise, making it hard to identify the affected tooth. In both cases, Immediate dental treatment is strongly recommended to prevent complications.

Pulpitis must be taken seriously. If left untreated, the inflammation can spread throughout the oral cavity, causing extensive damage and may also severely impact general health.

One of the most common complications of pulpitis is apical periodontitis — inflammation of the periodontal tissues at the root tip. If it spreads to the jawbone, the tooth loses stability and may fall out. In addition, purulent abscesses can develop. If pulpitis in children is not treated in time, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and, in severe cases, lead to sepsis (blood poisoning).

The cost of pulpitis treatment in children depends on the cause and severity of inflammation, as well as the extent of the required treatment.

At the ‘Sa-Nata’ dental clinic network in Kyiv, your child can receive timely and affordable treatment. Our specialists will provide detailed information about the condition, Available treatment methods, and how much you can save by choosing our modern dental clinic. Book a consultation today.