You might start with a slight twinge when sipping something cold. Or maybe your tooth flares up randomly after a hot drink. Most people dismiss these as ‘normal’ sensitivity. But what if that discomfort is actually an early warning sign of something far more serious—pulpitis?

At The Endodontic Office, we help patients understand the subtle—and not-so-subtle—ways pulpitis develops. This blog is your wake-up call. When caught early, pulpitis can be managed and reversed. But when ignored, it can quickly become a painful dental emergency that only a root canal or surgery can fix. It can quickly become a painful dental emergency that only a root canal or surgery can fix.

Let’s dive into how this condition quietly creeps up on you and what you can do to stop it before it’s too late.

What Is Pulpitis?

Pulpitis is the inflammation of the dental pulp—the soft, living tissue inside your tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This pulp is protected by the enamel and dentin layers, but when these layers are damaged, the pulp becomes vulnerable to bacteria and infection.

There are two types of pulpitis:

• Reversible Pulpitis – The pulp is irritated but can heal if the cause is treated early (e.g., filling a cavity).
• Irreversible Pulpitis – The pulp is infected or dying, and the only solution is a root canal or extraction.

Understanding the signs can help you catch the problem while it’s still reversible.

Stage 1: Subtle Sensitivity

Most cases of pulpitis start silently.

You may feel:

• A brief, sharp pain when eating sweets or drinking something hot or cold
• Occasional discomfort when brushing near the gum line
• A sharp sensation in one tooth but not others

These are often dismissed as minor issues. But this is when the pulp is still alive and capable of healing—if you act quickly. Early intervention at The Endodontic Office may involve a simple filling to stop the inflammation before it progresses.

Stage 2: Lingering Pain after Stimuli

The next phase? The pain sticks around longer.

This is one of the most critical warning signs that your pulp is in trouble. You might notice:

• Prolonged sensitivity after hot or cold food or drinks
• Pain that doesn’t go away quickly
• A tooth that suddenly feels more “alive” or reactive

At this stage, the pulp may be on its way to becoming irreversibly damaged. Visiting The Endodontic Office now can make the difference between a simple filling and needing a root canal.

Stage 3: Spontaneous Pain and Throbbing

Once pulpitis becomes irreversible, the pain changes dramatically. You’ll likely feel:

• Spontaneous, throbbing pain that comes without provocation
• Pain that wakes you up at night
• Discomfort when chewing or touching the tooth
• A constant ache that no over-the-counter painkillers can control

This is the stage where the pulp is infected, dying, or already dead. The infection may spread to the root and surrounding bone, leading to an abscess if not treated promptly.

At this point, root canal treatment is often the only way to save the tooth.

Why Pulpitis Should Never Be Ignored

Pulpitis doesn’t just cause tooth pain—it can become a full-blown infection that spreads to:

• Your jawbone
• Other teeth
• Your bloodstream (in severe cases)

Left untreated, pulpitis can result in:

• Facial swelling
• Tooth loss
• Chronic infection
• Emergency surgery

That’s why at The Endodontic Office, we encourage patients to come in at the first sign of discomfort, not just when the pain becomes unbearable.

How We Diagnose And Treat Pulpitis

At The Endodontic Office, we use:

• Digital X-rays to detect internal damage or decay
• Pulp vitality tests to assess whether the nerve is alive
• CBCT scans for complex cases

Treatment Options

• For Reversible Pulpitis:
  • Filling cavities
  • Replacing cracked restorations
  • Using desensitising agents


• For Irreversible Pulpitis:
  • Root Canal Therapy to clean out infected tissue, seal the canal, and restore the tooth
  • In rare cases, tooth extraction may be necessary

We tailor every treatment to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible.

FAQs about Pulpitis

Q1: Can I treat pulpitis at home?

A: No. While you can manage discomfort temporarily, only an endodontist can treat the underlying cause. Ignoring it may lead to irreversible damage.

Q2: How long does reversible pulpitis take to heal?

A: With proper treatment (e.g., filling), reversible pulpitis can improve within a few days to weeks.

Q3: How is pulpitis different from a regular cavity?

A: A cavity affects the outer layers of the tooth, while pulpitis involves the inner nerve and blood supply. Once pulpitis starts, the pain becomes more intense.

Q4: Can pulpitis go away on its own?

A: Reversible pulpitis may resolve with dental care. Irreversible pulpitis cannot heal on its own and will worsen without treatment.

Q5: How do I know if I need a root canal?

A: Symptoms like lingering pain, throbbing, swelling, or tooth discolouration suggest irreversible pulpitis, often requiring a root canal.

Call Us before It Gets Worse

Think you might have pulpitis?

Call The Endodontic Office today. We’ll help stop pulpitis in its tracks and keep your smile healthy, strong, and pain-free.