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

• 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

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

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

I had a nagging toothache recently, and it led to an even more painful revelation.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

It happens when a nerve is strangled by a blood vessel in the face, with it often misdiagnosed as toothache, and attacks caused by something as simple as a gust of wind.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Not long ago, dentists were about as welcome as a toothache at shopping centers.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2025

Mr. Monday grinned, though it made him look as if he had a toothache.

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman