I've had a toothache for about a week and a half. I went to the dentist last Tuesday and was told the gum around a wisdom tooth is inflamed and is causing the pain. The pain comes and goes but when it comes its almost more than I can take. Unless the gum settles down, the only option is to have the wisdom tooth removed. After seeing Karma after she had her wisdom teeth removed a few years ago, I swore I would never have mine removed. I think I might have to reconsider.