Tooth decay

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A few hours after brushing, bacteria and food particles form plaque on the surface of your teeth. These bacteria produce an acid that erodes the calcium in the tooth's enamel and leads to the formation of minute cavities. If left untreated, the acid will eventually eat through the tooth enamel, and begin eroding the dentin beneath it. 

Because the dentin is porous, it is eroded much faster than the overlaying enamel; so, a large cavity could be forming inside the tooth without showing many visible signs. 
As the decay continues, bacteria migrate through the porous dentin and infect the pulp. When your body launches an immune response to the infection, the blood vessels around the tooth enlarge and press against the nerves entering the tooth causing the tooth to ache. 
If the infection proceeds and a significant amount of bacteria invades the pulp, then the tooth and nerve may die. This will stop the pain; however, since the body is still fighting the infection, an abscess may form.

A tooth abscess forms around the tip of the tooth's root. This will cause the tooth to ache constantly, and be extremely painful to chew on. If the abscess is left untreated, it will begin to erode the bone around the tooth, and may lead to the formation of a small fistula, or canal, through the bone and its overlaying gum. Just before the fistula reaches the surface of the gum, a swelling, or boil may form. This can persist, or burst releasing foul tasting pus into the mouth.