Baylor Health Care System
 

Toothaches

Definition

Toothache is pain in or around a tooth.

Alternative Names

Pain - tooth or teeth

Considerations

A toothache is generally the result of dental cavities (tooth decay) or sometimes an infection. Tooth decay is often caused by poor dental hygiene, although the tendency to get tooth decay is partly inherited.

Sometimes, pain in other locations is perceived as occurring in the teeth (this is called referred pain or radiating pain).

Causes

Review Date: 8/8/2007
Reviewed By: Michael Kapner, D.D.S., General and Cosmetic Dentistry, New Rochelle, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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