Toothache usually refers to pain around the teeth or jaws. In most instances, toothaches are caused by tooth or jaw problems, such as a dental cavity, a cracked tooth, an exposed tooth root, gum disease, disease of the jaw joint , or spasms of the muscles used for chewing. The severity of a toothache can range from chronic and mild to sharp and excruciating. A toothache, also known as odontalgia or, less frequently, as odontalgy, is an aching pain in or around a tooth.