Sharp pain in my tooth, help?

Tooth randomly aching?? Strangest teeth pain! HELP!?

• My lower jaw molar starts to randomly ache! I'm 18 and the pain just started yesterday night. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it doesn't, and sometimes it hurts slightly more than usual. I tried doing some tests on the aching tooth. I tried applying both hot and cold water to the tooth, but the pain didn't increase, I've tried poking it, there wasn't any additional pain either. When I chew, the pain doesn't increase. Additional info, I don't remember if it was before or after I started feeling the ache that I started to floss that tooth(I don't normally floss either but I brush my teeth regularly). There was blood, which was expected as I don't normally floss. I also have some childhood fillings on that tooth from cavity. I have no idea how to describe the pain. It isn't excruciating but it did wake me up 3 times last night. There is also a very small pressure feeling. I can't tell if it is coming from the gumline directly under the molar or if it is the molar itself.

• Answer:

  The exsisting filling may be cracked where it may need to be replaced, especially if it's an almalgam filling. If it is broken or cracked that would be the cause of sensitivity. The worst case senerio is that you had an underlying cavity which was left untreated and grew bigger. The decay will travel down to the root of your tooth and cause an abcess. If this is the problem you will need a root canal or extraction. Call your dentist right away to get an x-ray, you don't want to wait or it will get worse.