Can pulpitis be treated with dental cleaning?

Patients with pulpitis can undergo dental cleaning, but it is recommended to perform this procedure after the pulpitis has been treated. Dental cleaning primarily involves the removal of dental plaque and calculus through ultrasonic vibrations to restore periodontal health. However, sterilized water is often used for irrigation during the cleaning process, which may irritate the inflamed pulp and exacerbate pain. Therefore, patients with pulpitis should ideally undergo root canal treatment first to alleviate pain and control inflammation before dental cleaning. Specifically, after root canal treatment—where the necrotic or gangrenous pulp is removed, repeated medication changes, root canal preparation, and filling are performed—the dental nerve has already been removed. At this stage, dental cleaning will not cause severe pain triggered by cold water irrigation or rinsing. This sequence of treatment ensures a more comfortable experience for the patient during dental cleaning and effectively maintains oral health.