Pulpitis: When the living part of your tooth becomes inflamed

Pulpitis can be avoided by brushing teeth at least twice a day, after meals, use of fluoridated toothpaste, avoiding sugary foods and flossing as part of oral hygiene. [iStockphoto]

Inside the innermost part of each tooth, is an area called the pulp. The pulp contains the blood, supply, and nerves for the tooth.

So when the pulp, becomes inflamed you develop a condition known as pulpitis, explains Dr Caroline Njeri Theuri, a pediatric dentist at Vimak Dental Centre. She also describes the pulp is the third part of a tooth, the first being the enamel followed by dentin.