Tooth decay is the primary cause of toothaches for most children and adults. Bacteria that live in your mouth thrive on the sugars and starches in the food you eat. These bacteria form a sticky plaque that clings to the surface of your teeth.

Acids produced by the bacteria in plaque can eat through the hard, white coating on the outside of your teeth (enamel), creating a cavity. The first sign of decay may be a sensation of pain when you eat something sweet, very cold or very hot. A toothache often indicates that your dentist will need to work on your teeth.

Until you can see your dentist, try these self-care tips:

• Use dental floss to remove any food particles wedged between your teeth.
• Try sucking on an ice cube placed in the area of irritation. Sometimes ice may not help, though, and may even make pain worse.
• Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever to dull the ache.
• Apply an OTC antiseptic containing benzocaine directly to the irritated tooth and gum to temporarily relieve pain. Direct application of oil of cloves (eugenol) also may help. Don't place aspirin or other painkiller directly against your gums as it may burn your gum tissue.

Swelling, pain when you bite, a foul-tasting discharge and redness indicate infection. See your dentist as soon as possible.

Call your dentist if:

• The pain persists for more than a day or two
• You have fever with the toothache
• You have trouble breathing or swallowing