I have temporary nervous system damage that has left me homebound. Recently, I noticed my very back of my last tooth on the right hand side has broken off a peice. It was cracked, now it has a hole in it. I think it might be black on the inside of the hole but I can't tell if it's or its just a shadow, the rest of the tooth isn't discolored. Anyhow, it doesn't really hurt. If I brush 3 times a day and rinse with salt water can I ward off infection until I am well enough to go to the dentist? Or does anybody know how to find a dentist who makes house calls in Rhode Island? Do cavities always get worse even if you take special care of them? I am already on a diet of pureed food because I have trouble swallowing btw. Thanks. Also do all teeth that rot get infected or can teeth just rot right out without an infection as long as you keep bacteria at bay? (mine isn't but just like to think of all worse case scenarios.)

Leaving any tooth ailment untreated is dangerous, particularly if you're ill to begin with. The bacteria can spread to the brain causing a stroke. It may also run through your blood stream causing sepsis. Please find away to see a dentist. Consult one of your doctors.

Your cavity/broken tooth will get worse if you don't have it taken care of by a dentist. The rate at which it gets worse varies from person to person, but it's inevitable. If a tooth has decay that travels to the pulp, or nerve of the tooth, the tooth will die and become infected. Then the only thing that can be done is to remove the dead, infected material by removing the tooth, or removing and replacing the pulp/nerve, by having a root canal. Most root canal treated teeth will require a crown to prevent the tooth from fracturing.

I hope you recover quickly and can see a dentist soon.