When I was younger, about 3 yeras ago, the filling of a tooth fell out, causing a horrible cavity. The tooth began to fall out, piece by piece, and was painful at times, but I ignored it. Now, after it happened to another tooth almost directly across my bottom jaw, the first tooth has begun to hurt to the point that I can not eat on that side. Today, I noticed a small swollen lump directly under the first rotten tooth. I haven't had dental insurance, and just applied when the pain began.