Imagine a world where dentistry hadn't been invented.

"Toothache is not merely a physical problem. Although it may indeed
have a physical cause, associated  symptoms include the inability to
concentrate, the fear that the ache will continue for ever, the
feeling that you are the only one with the problem and a sense of
helplessness. This creates a viscious circle whereby  stress leads to
an increased awareness of the toothache, and increased awareness
augments the stress. Toothache is indeed far more than a painful
sensation in the jaw, or in the side of the face. It is not uncommon
for toothache to involve the inability to chew food, a loss of
appetite, weight loss, tiredness, restlessness and general bad temper.

Much research is being undertaken, but  when we eventually do find a
way to eradicate the source of the the ache itself,  there is no
assurance that this will relieve the associated psychological factors.
Identifying and extracting the "source" ache, if indeed there is only
one source, will be only the first step on the road to the elimination
of all the components of this  problem we share

In the meantime we have very effective therapies that enable the
patient to de-focus on the ache, and to recognise that toothache need
not affect their ability to eat, speak or generally lead a full and
normal life."

Tony