[mino]

I was wondering how worried I should be about leaving a toothache untreated. The pain started many months ago, after a while the pain completely disappeared and only returns when I eat something like candy or chocolate. If I were to avoid junk food, brush my teeth three times a day, and floss could I prevent the damage from getting worse and avoid a visit to the dentist? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

[Stormy69]

As a 36 year old with a full upper denture I can say 1st hand... IF YOU IGNORE YOUR TEETH THEY WILL GO AWAY!
A tooth ache can be from something simple like sensitivity to something serious like an abscess, an abscessed tooth left untreated can make you deathly ill. Please don't ignore this problem and see a dentist asap.
PS. Flossing teeth that have any kind of decay can make things worse by breaking the skin and driving that infection deeper until it gets into your bloodstream

[J_9]

If you have a condition called Mitral Valve Prolapse (a heart condition many people have but do not know it) this can be a life threatening situation. If the infection gets into your bloodstream like my friend Stormy says, it will begin to attack the heart because the heart is not as strong as it should be.

Please seek dental help as soon as possible.

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes, a ache does not just go away, the noticeable pain stops, but the decay is eating away at the inside of the tooth, if you wait too long a simple 60 dollar filling, will be a 1500 dollar root canal and cap.

Or worst, you will have about 1/3 of your teeth missing like I do, makes corn on the cob a real challenge.

[fredg]

HI, mino,
As a 64 yrs old male, now with both upper and lower dentures, I have had just about every known teeth and gum problem in my life. Now, I don't have decayed teeth, root canals, and partials.
PLEASE get yourself to a dentist!! as others have said.
Your tooth is only getting much, much worse!
If you lose it, then you have to have a "replacement" false tooth, put into place; keeps the others from "shifting" so your bite will not be off.
Best wishes, and please make friends with a dentist now.

[suffolkconsumer]

A toothache is a warning that a tooth is presently in trouble. YOU NEED TO SEE A DENTIST and right away!