HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What is typically the cause of sensitivity in dental pulp?

1. Inflammation or injury

2. Excessive cleaning

3. Decay in the enamel

4. Pressure from braces

The correct answer is: Inflammation or injury

Sensitivity in dental pulp is predominantly caused by inflammation or injury. When the dental pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels, is subjected to trauma or infection, it can become inflamed. This inflammation leads to heightened sensitivity, pain, and can even result in pulpititis, where the pulp becomes severely sensitive and may need to be treated through procedures like root canal therapy. Understanding the relation between injury or inflammation and pulp sensitivity is crucial because these factors directly affect the nerve endings present in the pulp, resulting in discomfort or pain. The other options, while they may relate to dental health, do not directly cause the pulp to become sensitive in the same way that inflammation or injury does. For example, excessive cleaning may lead to gum irritation, and decay in the enamel primarily affects the outer layer of the tooth rather than the pulp itself. Similarly, pressure from braces can cause discomfort but does not typically trigger sensitivity in the pulp region specifically.