A toothache is generally the result of tooth decay. Tooth decay is often caused by poor dental hygiene, although the tendency to get tooth decay can be inherited.

Sometimes, pain in other locations is perceived as occurring in the teeth (this is called referred pain or radiating pain). This can be from the ears or jaw or even from sinusitis

Here are some approaches to relieving the pain:

• Applying warm oil of cloves carefully onto the tooth can help relieve the discomfort.

• If this doesn’t help try the opposite : place an ice-pack on the area of pain.

• Apply gentle pressure to the sides of the index finger on either hand

Please seek medical advice if:

There is a persistent (longer than a day or 2) or severe toothache with fever, earache, or pain upon opening the mouth wide.