Causes – An overview

Tooth root inflammation is often caused by

Untreated deep caries
Untreated gingivitis
Untreated periodontitis
Deep gingival pockets
Grinding of teeth (rare)
Traumas (falls, teeth grinding)

Causes in detail

Tooth root inflammation (pulpitis) is an unpleasant, extremely painful disease for which there are several causes:

This dental disease is primarily caused by bacteria that migrate from a carious tooth defect via the root. In some cases, however, the responsible bacteria also reach the root of the tooth through deep gum pockets. These deep gum pockets are usually caused by a long-lasting, untreated inflammation of the gums (gingiva) or in the course of periodontal disease (actually, the inflammatory disease of the periodontium known as periodontitis).
An untreated, deep caries is still the most common cause of dental root inflammation, however, because over time the caries “works its way” into the depths of the tooth, damaging the tooth pulp and the nerve fibres stored in it.
The bacterial colonization in the depth of the tooth and the resulting inflammatory processes lead to severe pain and the progressive death of the tooth. Exactly why these inflammation-related processes occur has not yet been clarified in detail. However, it is assumed that the own immune system plays a major role in the development.
However, not only the harmful influences of bacterial colonization are causes that favour the development of a root tip inflammation.
Such a clinical picture can also be caused by traumatic influences. This means that in some cases “violent influences”, for example a too firm bite, a violent blow on the jaw or a strong grinding of the teeth can cause a tooth, or rather its root to break through. See also: broken canine
The dental trauma itself is not immediately perceived as such by most patients, as it usually causes no pain at all and does not further affect the affected person. Only in the course of time do centres of inflammation develop around the “broken tooth”, which cause pain and drive the patient to the dental practice.
This can also lead to inflammatory processes within the tooth pulp, the blood vessels and nerves of the tooth are irritated and/or damaged and sooner or later an inflammation of the tooth root develops. Also the grinding and preparation of a tooth in the sense of prosthetic dentistry (supply of crowns, bridges, inlays …) can attack the tooth and promote the development of an inflammation of the tooth root.