Toothache is caused by a irritation of the tooth’s pulp, or nerve centre. The irritation can be the result of tooth decay that has penetrated the hard outer layers of the tooth, an abscess or an impacted wisdom tooth.
To ease the pain rinse your mouth with warm water, use dental floss to remove food particles trapped near the aching area, then cover the tooth with a small wad of cotton wool. Aspirin may also help to relieve the pain, but never place aspirin, or any other painkiller, directly on the teeth or gums; the result can be a painful burn. If one of your cheeks is swollen, place a cold compress on it.