The innermost part of the tooth containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

The dental pulp is the vital center of the tooth, housed in the pulp chamber (crown) and root canals. It contains nerves that detect pain and temperature, blood vessels that supply nutrients, and cells that can form protective dentin. When bacteria reach the pulp through deep decay or cracks, infection and inflammation result. This condition (pulpitis) causes severe pain and requires root canal treatment or extraction.