When a sudden ache rattles your jaw, the immediate question is usually "how do I stop the pain?" Yet the longer‑term answer often hinges on whether you have the right coverage to see a dentist without breaking the bank. This guide walks you through the basics of dealing with a toothache is a sharp or persistent pain in a tooth or surrounding gum tissue, often caused by decay, infection, or injury and the maze of dental insurance is a health benefit that helps cover the cost of preventive, basic, and major dental procedures, typically through monthly premiums, deductibles, and copayments. By the end, you’ll know which plan fits your needs, how to act when pain strikes, and how to keep costs down.