What happens if cavities are left untreated?

With respect to untreated tooth decay in a tooth that has never received dental treatment before, Dr. Lars Hendrickson (a trained medical doctor and dentist) addresses some of the above questions in his book Zahnarztlügen ["Dentists's Lies"] which advises total dental autonomy.

To begin with, there are no studies available showing the effects of cavities remaining untreated (by a dentist). Consider however the following:

In Germany alone, there are sixteen million people who (even with extreme toothache) never go to the dentist. Since 95 percent of the currently roughly 80 million Germans do have cavities, totalling a number of 76 million affected, there are a minimum of twelve million Germans with tooth decay who refuse to see the dentist.

If if were true that life-threatening abscesses are likely to form, some of these twelve million people should regularly be reported to have died upon developing a death-dealing abscess from an untreated dental infection or cavity.

Since this is not the case, it can clearly be deduced that fatal abscesses are extremely rare (as indirectly confirmed by the twelve million+ surviving Germans who never see a dentist in spite of suffering from tooth decay).

A highly interesting spiritual perspective on this question has been added by former dentist Dorte Bredgaard, see Can you die from a tooth infection?.

How tooth decay progresses when unchecked and untreated

What typically happens when a tooth gets infected and no proactive countermeasures such as dietary upgrades are taken (particularly cutting out all sugar and junk food), using xylitol and chlorhexidine [and many other things, see particularly Healing Teeth Naturally's Natural, holistic & home dental remedies and Dental Care & Oral Hygiene sections]), is really quite unspectacular.

The cavity will gradually progress, with the tooth slowly becoming sensitive to hot and cold. Months into this process, the first pain will make its appearance. Then a short phase of (in most cases) strong pain will occur, followed by the death of the nerve and the cheek starting to swell. Nature in its wisdom proceeds to create a pus pocket which it soon after empties, thus voiding dead bacteria and pulp matter.

According to Dr. Hendrickson, this uncomplicated series of events is typical, with some not even noticing the demise of their tooth, i.e. not even going through the short period of "hellish pain" predicted by the dentists.

In other words, according to Dr. Hendrickson, in this day and age the occurrence of a life-threatening abscess will be an absolute rarity since well-nourished people with well-functioning immune systems, and anti-inflammatories, painkillers and antibiotics within easy reach, will give bacteria a hard time (rather than the other way round).

So according to the same source, warnings that one could die from an untreated tooth in modern times are merely scare tactics employed by dentists in sheep's clothing who will gladly conjure up horror scenarios as to what might happen if a cavity was left untreated by their profession.

The study "A review of complications of odontogenic infections" from 2015 concludes that thanks to the universal availability of preventive dental care and the existence of effective antibiotics, the incidence of serious infections arising in dental tissues has sharply decreased. They can still present danger particularly to the immunocompromised patient.^[1]

Self-treatment to check further progress of tooth decay

To prevent cavities from progressing as above described, Dr. Hendrickson advises to cut out all sugar, eat a balanced diet, clean your teeth properly, use xylitol and particularly when there are fillings present, chlorhexidine as well as high-dose chlorhexidine gel to protect your teeth from developing new tooth decay ("secondary caries" - for an explanation of this term, see point 5 under Drilling & filling teeth: an unwise choice?).

So much for Dr. Hendrickson's observations and advice (summarized in English and with notes and links added by Healing Teeth Naturally).

When a tooth pre-treated with a filling or root canal develops new tooth decay which is left untreated (by a dentist)

This may be quite a different story since the body here not only has to contend with something it is used to - simple bacteria, their metabolic by-products as well as with dying and dead tissue (here: tooth pulp).

In contrast, here the body faces a number of additional aggravating circumstances and aggressors - toxic metals and/or other noxious dental materials as well as anaerobic bacteria of likely increased virulence. While the body can deal with these too, it is - as next to always - a question of...

The power of the immune system (resistance) versus the power of germs/bacteria (aggressors)

A body and mouth that is optimally supported by nutrition, regular detoxification, immune-supporting herbs and/or supplements, natural antibiotics, a stress-free or -reduced lifestyle, oral urine treatment etc. etc. seems much equipped to deal with dental toxins of various origins.

A body and mouth which do not receive proper support may be less able to contain and successfully overcome virulent dental infections.

What happens after the tooth pulp has died?

(The following scenario leaves aside any potentially reviving influences on the pulp, i.e. actual tooth regeneration/regrowth, from strict dietary measures as shown in this Gerson diet testimonial as well as from spiritual practices as featured in the Spirituality section of this site.)

When the tooth pulp containing the nerve and blood vessels carrying nourishment has died, the tooth is dead and the pulp chamber will be emptied of all content at some point.

Depending on various factors such as the structural strength of the remaining tooth shell, oral acidity and plaque levels and frequency of using the tooth for chewing hard items, the tooth should eventually be worn down to the gumline and finally (likely) vanish altogether from the mouth.

How about a decaying tooth creating an "interference field" and/or a focal infection which might create diseases in other parts of the body?

The highly complex theory (and practice) of interference fields/focal infections (when a localized process such as in the jawbone may lead to disease symptoms elsewhere in the body) is being addressed in the continually expanded section on Dental interference fields and focal infections: on potential health effects.

Without fillings and/or with gaps in my teeth, will I still be able to chew?

Judging by others' experience, you can chew very well without fillings as well as with missing teeth as long as there are a few teeth left at the front and on the sides.

Will my sound teeth start to slant when adjacent teeth have rotted away?

As long as the gums are healthy, this could only happen when even the roots of the missing teeth have disappeared. If the roots are still in their sockets, they act as firm "placeholders" preventing adjacent teeth from tilting.

Conclusion: should I leave my cavity untreated (by a dentist)?

As implied above, dealing with an infected tooth by yourself or in the dentist's chair is your call. Personally I know people who have opted for the former including myself (and only being able to speak of me personally, with no untoward but as far as I can tell only positive results).

Before heading for the dentist, I would advise you read the Conventional section and particularly Drilling & filling teeth: an unwise choice?. Also make sure to read the detailed information and caveats provided under Pulling teeth: possible health dangers.

If you do wish to be treated by a dentist, please choose carefully, see Links for helpful addresses and Beware of fake alternative and/or holistic dentists.

Should you opt for self-treatment or the dental autonomy route, a good place to start your journey is Advice on what to do when you can't or don't want to see a dentist and of course the entire Regeneration & regrowth of teeth and gums section.

... and for a complete summary of the best, easiest, and most efficient ways I know to stop and cure tooth decay

after studying the subject for twelve years, click here.

Footnote

1 Full text of the review available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4922222/ .

More "alternative" dental research