Wisdom tooth started hurting and bleeding when brushed suddenly

[cwang]

My health insurance coverage ended literally just a week ago, and I have a gap in coverage. A few days ago my wisdom tooth/3rd molar started hurting after I used an electric toothbrush. Now it is bleeding when I brush it. There was no prior pain or any bleeding at all, or even sensitivity to sweets, hot, cold, etc. When using a dental mirror I can see the pit/fissure is greyish; so definitely looks like a cavity. Is this common? I thought bleeding only occured when decay reached the pulp; but pain starts when it reaches the dentin? If so why didn't I feel anything until now? Should I wait until Dec 1 when my insurance is back to get it extracted? Since its the third molar I assume they wont bother trying to save it anyway. I am planning to get it checked out on Monday at least.

 

[Dr M]

If there is only bleeding, it might be the gum that is bleeding, and not the tooth. Do you have pain on this tooth? Discoloured fissures do not necessarily mean a cavity. You would need a clinical examination, as well as an x-ray to confirm the presence of a cavity.
Bleeding most commonly indicates possible gingival inflammation. I would suggest trying to rinse with some luke-warm saltwater or even an disinfectant mouth rinse, and see it the bleeding improves.