toothache

American  

[tooth-eyk] / ˈtuθˌeɪk /

noun

1. a pain in or about a tooth.

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toothache British  

/ ˈtuːθˌeɪk /

noun

1. Technical name: odontalgia.  a pain in or about a tooth

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• toothachy
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of toothache

before 1050; Middle English tothache, Old English tōthæce, tōthece. See tooth, ache

Explanation

A toothache is pain that you feel in your tooth or jaw, especially pain that lasts for a while. A cavity is one thing that can give you a bad toothache — so be sure to floss regularly. Breaking a tooth on a hard piece of candy, grinding your teeth at night, not going to the dentist for months, or eating too soon after dental surgery — all of these can result in a toothache. There's also the short, sharp pain of biting into something cold, which is less likely to be described as a toothache. For a true toothache, it's usually a good idea to see a dentist.

Example Sentences

It’s a reminder that even in something as everyday as toothache, our evolutionary history is written in our teeth, but shaped as much by modern habits as by ancient biology.

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

Cancer treatment and osteoporosis had damaged her teeth, leaving her with six lost fillings and toothache.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Moreno was referred to Dreamtime Dentistry after complaining about a toothache four months prior, according to the autopsy reviewed by The Times.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2025

Locals described the sound as similar to that of a 747 jet, or as grating as having a toothache 24 hours a day, claiming that the noise drowned out the sound of the nearby waterfalls.

From BBC • May 22, 2025

"Welcome morning as you can. You sound like my toothache, but welcome's no worse for that."

From "Beowulf: A New Telling" by Robert Nye