Some months ago, my husband's tooth fell out. I was shocked. My husband has not been to the dentist in years. For some reason he just stopped going. Some nights, he is so tired from work, he just falls asleep without brushing his teeth. Well, apparently, his tooth must have gotten rotten and just fell out. I have begged him to go to the dentist and he won't. My question is, how can a tooth become rotten and fall out and the person not feel any pain? Sometimes I wish he would feel pain and be forced to go to the dentist. I can't understand how he doesn't feel any pain. Is it possible to get tooth decay without any pain?

Yes it is possible to have tooth decay and not feel any pain. I've seen many a patient with teeth totally blown away from decay and none of them are hurting or maybe just one or two are sensitive. What can happen is that the nerve actually resorbes into the tooth, which means it will move further away from the decay. Or the tooth will actually calcify, ( build a hard wall)the nerve canal to protect the nerve. The tooth fell out probably because he has so much bone loss surrounding these teeth that are suppose to be holding them in his head they just fell out. One day be prepared that he will wake up with his face swollen or just in excrucaiting pain from an abcess. People who have a genuine fear of the dentist will not go. You would think that they would take extra care of their teeth so they don't have any problems not ignore them and have them decay and fall out. I've been in the dental field over 20 years and have seen a lot people with the same issues your husband has. Explain to him even though he doesn't like the dentist he really should go. You want your husband to live a long life and a healthy one at that. Taking care of the mouth is just as important as taking care of any other part of his body. Abcesses can be very dangerous as well very painful. Find a good dentist you trust and like and feel comfortable with. Good Luck.

Toothfairy,

Thanks for your reply. I keep trying to get my husband to the dentist but he is worse than a child! It's hard to believe an otherwise intelligent, college educated adult cannot bring himself to go to the dentist. It is extremely frustrating. It seems that the only way would be for him to feel pain. This sounds mean but I am hoping he feels pain soon so he will be forced to go. I really think that is the only thing that would make him go. It still amazes me that he feels no pain. I am sure he must have numerous cavities. Will keep trying. Wish me luck. (And yes, you would think someone not wanting to go to the dentist would take extra good care of their teeth! Go figure!)

He'll go when he's ready or his face is swollen and he's in pain. Good Luck to you and your husband.

Not sure why he doesn't have any pain. Maybe it hasn't been long enough, or it is just not bothering him in the "right spot" (yet) When I was about 7 years old, I had an abcessed tooth, ie: rotten. Some of the causes can be from not brushing, flossing, bad teeth altogether, genetics, drugs or lack of calcium. I STRONGLY recommend he go in BEFORE it causes pain. I had the abcessed tooth for much to long 1-2 years due to my family not having money or dental coverage. I MUST TELL YOU IT IS THE ABSOLUTE MOST PAIN I HAVE EVER BEEN IN! Even compared to childbirth with no drugs and I was in pain for the entire 1-2 years. Actually, you can die from it. What happens is an infection develops, with puss inside the gums (tastes nasty) and if you don't take care of it, the puss will travel to more places than just your gums. Mine traveled down the right side of my neck and into my shoulder. It was very sore and swollen but I didn't realize what it was until I woke up in my mom's car on the way to the emergency room. I had passed out from the pain and puss finally after all of that time, only to find out that I was "internally choking", as the doctor described it, on the puss. PLEASE have it looked at. Even if it isn't that, then at least you can sleep now knowing your husband is OK.

It's important that your husband have the teeth looked at. If he has infection present the poisons can run through his blood stream and affect other parts of his body. Infection of the mouth has been known to increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, respiratory infections, complications from diabetes which all can lead to death.

My husband was eating pizzia, and too came out pretty cleanly to gum line, but the inside of the tooth had crumbly stuff? What could that be? Not sure if it is a filling or what/ will they have to dig it out all the way? If there are roots

Wow, I guess I better go to the dentist. My tooth is dangling on to a string of gum. Lol. It's been broken off for 4 years and now the piece that didn't break off is finally about to make its way to the ground. I kept it this long by taking coral calcium and eating and drinking a lot of things with Vitamin D. I guess it can only work but so long. I better get my behind to the dentist then.

My daughter who is 26 yrs old complains of toothache , but the tooth is perfectly healthy to look at , and also she says that is quite sensitive.. I have told her to visit dentist, she being a busy professional never complies.

I went to the dentist recently for a root canal and I had a few x-rays done. I have really sensitive teeth on one side now and a piece of the tooth broke off. But the dentists never said anything on the x-ray showed any tooth decay in the other teeth for me to be concerned about. Either that or they are terrible at their job.

Could it even be related to my pregnancy? Maybe the dentists will think it is related just to my wisdom teeth pushing through at an angle on my other teeth. They did say they would cause unforeseen problems in the future. But why now all of a sudden that is what I want to know? And if I am stressed or if it is really cold the ache feels worse.

Lol ,you are hilarious,you made my day with that one,thanks..