How Does Root Canal Disease Occur?
The dental pulp is the name given to the soft tissue inside the canal that runs through the root of your tooth. The dental pulp consists mainly of blood vessels, tissue fibres and some nerve fibres. The main function of the pulp is to regulate the growth and development of tooth since childhood. Once the tooth is fully formed nutrition for the tooth comes from the tissues surrounding the root. The most common cause of pulp damage is deep tooth decay which allows bacteria to reach into the pulp. The pulp becomes inflamed or infected, with products of infection spreading through the tip of the root into the surrounding bone oftentimes forming an abscess that causes the pain and swelling. Other causes of pulp damage include traumatic blows to teeth, loose fillings, and excessive wear and tear of teeth, cracked teeth and gum disease.
