toothache

In medicine, dental pain commonly due to inflammation of the pulp or the tooth or the fibrous tissue supporting the tooth in the bone socket. It is most frequently due to caries when the cavity is close to the pulp.

Infection of the pulp can lead to the formation of an abscess. Chronic toothache can occur when the substance of the tooth beneath the enamel (dentine) is unprotected because of loss of enamel due to decay or receding gums. The pain is often associated with temperature changes or sweet foods.