The onset of a toothache can be sudden and painful.  The pain may not only affect your tooth, but also your head, ear, or jaw.  The pain can may be constant, throbbing, or come and go. There are a variety of reasons than can cause a toothache such as tooth decay, a cracked tooth, a loose or broken filling, inflammation of the nerve of the tooth, or a dental abscess to name a few.  Treatment and management of a toothache will depend on the cause.