in front of one of my teeth on the side, I have a black hole that smells awful and tooth has separated from gum.  I can get food particles out of it, but need to be careful because I can also hit a nerve if I am not careful.   Afraid to go to the dentist, yet need to.  Wondering if it is something that will heal on its own.  Been this way for quite a while. Just need to know if it needs more time.
Hello, Welcome Thanks for consulting Chat Doctor, I have gone through your query, you have discolored tooth (blackish) separated from gum, means it your tooth is carious, as you are asking that it can get healed NO, it doesn't heal by it own you should go for proper investigations done ant then treatment, Go to dentist if it is your tooth is carious not Grossly Decayed with no Mobility then Root canal treatment can be done to save your tooth, Hope this will help you.