Pulp polyp or ppulp oilis swelling on the pulp, that is the center of the tooth that contains the tissue and cells that make up the tooth.Pulp polyps often appear on the molars, precisely covering cavities, so they look more like flesh.
Pulp polyps occur when the pulp in cavities becomes irritated or becomes infected with bacteria. Pulp polyps generally affect only one tooth, but sometimes can occur in several teeth. This condition usually occurs in children or adolescents, and is very rarely experienced by adults.
In the medical world, pulp polyps are also known by the names of chronic hyperplastic pulpitis or proliferative pulpitis.
Pulp Polyp Symptoms
Signs and symptoms that can appear due to pulp polyps include:
- The appearance of soft pink, red, or white lumps from cavities.
- Bleeding and open sores from the soft lump.
- Polyps tend to enlarge until they fill the hole in the tooth.
- Discomfort when chewing food.
In some cases, sufferers may also not feel any symptoms.
When to go to the dentist
If more flesh appears in the cavity of the tooth, immediately consult a dentist. One of the causes of pulp polyps is a broken tooth, which can be the result of an injury or accident. Also immediately consult a dentist if there is a broken, loose, or loose tooth.
It is recommended to regularly check the condition of your mouth and teeth every 6 months to 1 year, especially if your teeth are often problematic.
Causes of Pulp Polyps
The causes of the appearance of pulp polyps vary, including:
- Cavities cause a lot of tooth structure to be lost, especially the enamel or enamel
- Cavities that are not repaired, so that the dental pulp is exposed to bacteria.
- The tooth is broken due to an injury, exposing the pulp of the tooth.
In addition to changes in tooth structure, changes in the hormones estrogen and progesterone as well as allergic reactions to the teeth are also thought to trigger the formation of pulp polyps on the teeth.
Pulp Polyp Diagnosis
To determine the pulp polyp, the dentist will first ask the patient's symptoms and look for the presence of polyps in cavities. After that, the doctor will perform a follow-up examination as follows:
- Scanning of the oral cavity and teeth through X-rays, to see the level of tooth decay and detect abnormalities around the jawbone.
- Sampling of polyp tissue for examination through a microscope, in order to see the possibility of bacterial infection in the pulp.
Pulp Polyp Treatment
The method of treatment of pulp polyps depends on their severity. Some of these treatment methods are:
- Pulpotomy, namely the removal of the pulp without removing the root. This procedure is performed when the polyp does not affect the pulp near the root of the tooth.
- Root canal treatment when tooth root growth is not mature.
- Tooth extraction and tooth root surgery. This tooth extraction procedure can be followed by the installation of dentures.
For patients undergoing tooth extraction surgery, do not use the mouth that has just been operated on to chew food. The doctor will prescribe antibiotics and painkillers, and advise the patient to rinse his mouth every day for a week after surgery. The mouthwash used is one that contains chlorhexidine.
For treatment after treatment of pulp polyps, follow your doctor's advice. Brush your teeth carefully so you don't touch the newly operated tooth, and have regular dental check-ups to monitor the success of the treatment.
Pulp Polyp Complications
If left untreated, pulp polyps can lead to the following complications:
- Messy tooth formation (dental malocclusion).
- Teeth that collide with each other (tooth impaction).
- Inflammation of the tip of the tooth root.
- Infection of the jawbone (osteomyelitis).
Pulp Polyp Prevention
The way to prevent pulp polyps is to maintain oral and dental health. Among other things, this is done by:
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Clean the remaining food between the teeth using dental floss.
- Gargle with an antiseptic mouthwash to prevent plaque build-up.
- Check your teeth regularly to the dentist.