“What happens if tooth decay is left untreated?”
I am a 23 year old male with tooth decay developing on my back tooth. What happens if tooth decay is left untreated?
10 Answers
Will spread and damage pulp
Hello,
Sorry to hear about your tooth decay. It is not a good idea to leave tooth decay untreated because if there is one thing we know about tooth decay; it will keep growing. Eventually, the decay will get large enough that it will get close to the nerve (pulp chamber) inside the tooth which will cause sensitivity in that tooth. If it continues to be untreated the tooth will need a root canal because of the bacteria causing inflammation inside the tooth and irritating the nerve. If the decay gets large enough, it could mean that there is not enough tooth left to be saved and will need to be removed (extracted). Also, remember that if the decay is between two teeth (as a good amount of cavities are from inadequate flossing), then this process can be happening to two teeth instead of just one. Usually, simple fillings can prevent this process.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Sorry to hear about your tooth decay. It is not a good idea to leave tooth decay untreated because if there is one thing we know about tooth decay; it will keep growing. Eventually, the decay will get large enough that it will get close to the nerve (pulp chamber) inside the tooth which will cause sensitivity in that tooth. If it continues to be untreated the tooth will need a root canal because of the bacteria causing inflammation inside the tooth and irritating the nerve. If the decay gets large enough, it could mean that there is not enough tooth left to be saved and will need to be removed (extracted). Also, remember that if the decay is between two teeth (as a good amount of cavities are from inadequate flossing), then this process can be happening to two teeth instead of just one. Usually, simple fillings can prevent this process.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
The decay will eventually reach the nerve and a painful infection will occur
The cavity becomes bigger, more expensive to fix as it becomes bigger. Tooth will become sensitive, then painful. Then the tooth will abscess. So, what started out as a simple filling, becomes a root canal and a crown. Also, the bacteria in that cavity can travel to other teeth.
It will usually spread and destroy more of the tooth. Often, decay will eventually reach the nerve of the tooth.
If you let your tooth cavity go untreated, the decay will progress until it gets close or enters the pulp. Then if the nerve, artery, and vein get infected, you may at first have sensitivity to hot
and cold, sweets. If an infection starts you will have a throbbing pain, swelling may start. You may have a bad taste in your mouth or the infection can extend down to your root and ENTER the large blood vessels under your teeth or above your teeth. Besides the throbbing pain, and bad taste, your whole body may be infected. If you have the opportunity to see your dentist, get all of your with cavities fixed. You have between 28-32 teeth in your mouth, do you want to do all that suffering?
and cold, sweets. If an infection starts you will have a throbbing pain, swelling may start. You may have a bad taste in your mouth or the infection can extend down to your root and ENTER the large blood vessels under your teeth or above your teeth. Besides the throbbing pain, and bad taste, your whole body may be infected. If you have the opportunity to see your dentist, get all of your with cavities fixed. You have between 28-32 teeth in your mouth, do you want to do all that suffering?
If tooth decay is left untreated the decay could metastasize or spread leading to a root canal or eventual tooth loss.
Decay is a bacterial infection in your tooth and continues to eat tooth structure if left untreated. It can lead to pain and/or fracture of the tooth.
Pain.
You will develop an infection or abscess and will need a root canal or an extraction.
