"Toothache" usually refers to pain around the teeth or jaws. It is usually caused when a nerve in the root of a tooth becomes irritated. Dental (tooth) infection, decay, injury, or loss of a tooth are the most common causes of dental pain. Pain may also occur after an extraction (tooth is pulled out). Pain sometimes originates from other areas and radiates to the jaw, thus appearing to be tooth pain.A toothache may be sharp, throbbing, shooting, or constant. If the tooth is not properly treated, it will eventually have to be extracted. The most common areas include the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint or TMJ), ear pain, and even occasional heart problems. Causes of a toothache may also be a symptom of diseases of the heart, such as angina or a myocardial infarction, due to referred pain.

After having one or more teeth extracted a condition known as dry socket can develop, leading to extreme pain. Toothache occurs when the pulp inside your tooth gets inflamed. This is known as pulpitis and is often caused by dental decay (carries). Teething in babies and young children can often cause toothache. This starts at around 6 months and can continue as the adult teeth start to come through. The best way to prevent toothache is to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Try to avoid cavities by reducing your intake of sugary foods and drinks - have them as an occasional treat, and at mealtimes only. Brush your teeth twice daily using a toothpaste containing fluoride. To get the most benefit from the fluoride, do not rinse the toothpaste away after brushing.

Clean between your teeth using dental floss, woodsticks or an inter-dental brush according to your dentist's advice. Flossing once a day also helps prevent gum disease by removing food particles and bacteria at and below the gum line. Pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) may be used. Avoid very cold or hot foods because this may make the pain worse. For jaw pain aspirin may be helpful for problems in the joint of the jaw in adults. Acetaminophen (not aspirin) should be used for children and teenagers. The use of asafoetida has been found useful in curing toothache. Relief may be obtained from biting on a cotton ball soaked in oil of cloves. Apply an OTC antiseptic containing benzocaine directly to the irritated tooth and gum to temporarily relieve pain.

Toothache Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Keep your bridge or dentures clean.

2. Avoid very cold or hot foods because this may make the pain worse.

3. Use dental floss to remove any food particles wedged between your teeth.

4. Wear a protective dental guard or headgear while playing sports to help prevent injury.

5. Do not smoke. Tobacco smoking may make some dental conditions worse.

6. Aspirin may be helpful for problems in the joint of the jaw in adults.

7. Use dental floss to remove any food particles wedged between your teeth.

8. Apply an OTC antiseptic containing benzocaine directly to the irritated tooth.