Final answer:
While the cause of a toothache originates in the mouth, the sensation of pain is processed in the brain. This is due to the activation of nociceptors that transmit pain signals to the brain where the pain is consciously felt.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a person experiences a toothache, the actual sensation of pain occurs in the brain, although the cause of the pain originates in the mouth or jaw. The pain is due to trauma at the cellular level, where chemical messengers like cytokines, serotonin, and prostaglandins are released by damaged cells. These messengers activate nociceptors, which send the pain signals to the central nervous system via A and C fibers, resulting in the experience of pain.
Conditions such as the dislocation of the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) or dental caries can be sources of this pain. TMJ disorders can cause symptoms such as headaches, difficulty chewing, or jaw lock. The pain from these conditions, as well as from dental procedures and tooth decay, is ultimately processed in the brain, where the experience of pain is consciously felt.
In summary, the pain originates from an issue in the mouth or jaw, but it is the brain that processes the sensation and where the pain is 'felt'. Various treatment options are available, including pharmacologic agents and therapies like bite guards, depending on the nature and severity of the toothache or associated conditions.