Causes

• Anatomy of a human tooth
  
  Toothaches and dental pain are typically the result of cavities or an infection, but can also be caused by an abscess, earache, injury to the jaw or mouth, heart attack, sinusitis, and tooth decay.
  
  Cracks or holes in a tooth's outer layers, known as cavities, expose the root to bacteria and infection. Such infections cause tooth decay, which causes increased tooth sensitivity and pain, and can result in painful abscesses.
  
  If your tooth pain lasts longer than a day or two, or becomes particularly severe, see your dentist. She should be able to identify the appropriate course of action.
  
  

Temporary Relief

• If you have a cavity or other tooth damage, avoid very hot, cold or sweet food and beverages, which can trigger increased pain.
  
  Take an over-the-counter pain medication, such as Tylenol or Advil, according to the label directions to help dull the pain. You can also spray the affected area with a topical anesthetic like Ambesol if the pain is particularly sharp.
  
  If you have been struck in the jaw, hold an icepack on the outside of your mouth to help keep swelling to a minimum and numb the pain.
  
  

Long Term Relief

• If you experience severe toothaches or dental pain for more than a day or two, make an appointment with your dentist to determine whether you need professional treatment.
  
  Treatment for cavities, the most common cause of tooth pain, typically involves drilling away the diseased part of the tooth and replacing it with a substitute material such porcelain, silver alloy, or a composite resin. You will receive one or more shots of Novocaine or similar local anesthetic into your gum to relieve the pain.
  
  In cases of particularly severe tooth decay, one or more teeth may need to be removed from your jaw. However, if your tooth has a diseased root that is identified in time, the tooth may be saved by a root canal, a procedure in which the root is fully removed to prevent further decay. For these types of procedures, to avoid pain, you may either receive Novocaine or be fully sedated with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or an intravenous drug.
  
  You may have some lingering pain or soreness following dental procedures; your dentist may prescribe Vicodin or another prescription painkiller, or advise you to use an over-the-counter drug.