If I get a cavity, waht may happen if I leave it untended?

Answer 1

It is will continue to get larger and eventually cause the nerve inside the tooth to die potentially causing pain or and abscess and the need to have the tooth extracted. Cavities won't get better, they need to be removed and replaced with a fillling. The stages that I noted above may happen over a long period of time or very quickly based on your diet and level of homecare....
JAMRDH - a dental hygienist

***ALSO- when your tooth is infected the anesthesia doesn't work as well as it normally does!!!

Answer 2

I had a tooth that had a cavity. The filling for whatever reason fell out and I didn't know. The cavity got worse, and then my tooth got infected. The root ended up dying and I had to have the tooth pulled. So that's what a cavity ended up doing to my tooth with no filling in it. I had a few cavities that were filled when I was younger. I haven't had a cavity now since I've gotten older. I don't think they still use the silver fillings. Don't they now have the white kind? I thought they did anyways. The needle is uncomfortable but the freezing kicks in really quickly. I think you can ask them to use a topical gel to mostly freeze the gum before they put the needle in. It's been a while since I've had a cavity filled but dental technology gets better everyday. So I'm sure they are much better at it now than when I had it done. Good luck!

Answer 3

Well I had a tooth pulled 3 weeks ago because I procrastinated getting it filled.
And it was VERY painful. I was popping Tylenol with codiene like candy (every 4 hours and ibuprophen extra strength every 6 hours).
Eventually the tooth will fall apart and the nerve inside the tooth is exposed and that hurts worse than any other pain I've experianced (even childbirth twice).

Anyway if at all possible get it filled soon.

Answer 4

You will eventually lose your tooth, but before that happens you are going to be in a whole lot of pain. Your tooth will rot start turning black. While that happens your gums are going to get infected causing an abscess. Then your nerve and vein will shrink away from your tooth and your tooth will finally fall out. Talk to your dentist.

Answer 5

You'll have lots of pain, your breath will be bad, the tooth will eventually turn black and then fall out. You'll look very low class, especially if it's a front tooth. Also, the infection could spread to your other teeth. Go to a dentist! They usually offer payment plans if you can't afford to pay all at once and/or don't have dental insurance.

Answer 6

It will get worse and larger and could be painful to the point where the dentist HAS to extract the tooth no other choice. Honey, a piece of advice, pull it out yourself. Saves money, saves you from pain of having novicane, etc. the only one it hurts it dentist cuz you bruise his ego by taking the tooth to show him in a ziplock baggie - (hey, i did that!) no it's true i really did. .. also he's out money. I hate needles so I opted to pull it out myself and got the cavity one. NO IDEA how I found it .. but then like i said i took it to show to him. haha bruised ego and no money. lol

Answer 7

eventually you'll lose the tooth. Cavities are decay. There is no reversing them. You have to have them treated if you want to keep the tooth.

Answer 8

JULIEN,
THE IMMEDIATE RESULT IS CONSIDERABLE PAIN AND LOSS OF THE TOOTH.
THE REALLY BAD THING IS AN ABSCESS ON THE TOOTH WHICH CAN BE POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING.

Answer 9

it will continue to decay and eventually you will lose the tooth and it will also be painful to just leave it

Answer 10

It an seriously damage your entire mouth,. It will start with the gums. Plus it will hurt you.