Toothache (also called tooth pain or dental pain) is discomfort or sharp, throbbing pain in or around a tooth, often resulting from irritation or inflammation of the tooth’s pulp (nerve-containing inner tissue), surrounding gums, or nearby structures. Common causes include tooth decay (cavities exposing nerves), cracked or fractured teeth, abscesses (pus-filled infections at the root tip), gum disease (periodontitis leading to exposed roots or loose teeth), impacted wisdom teeth, sinus infections (referring pain to upper teeth), teeth grinding (bruxism causing jaw/tooth sensitivity), or recent dental work. The pain can be constant or intermittent, worsened by hot/cold/sweet foods, chewing, or lying down, and may radiate to the jaw, ear, or head; severe cases can include swelling, fever, bad taste, or difficulty opening the mouth.