In the grip of a toothache? Seek out this pro to save your smile Feb. 8, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail (BPT) - A stabbing toothache is a special kind of pain. It keeps you awake, inspires dread for your next meal and makes it darn near impossible to think about anything else. The mouth is a sensitive area, and those pain receptors are on high alert when it comes to infection and other maladies. If you’re thinking you’d prefer to seek a root canal over a tooth extraction, you’re in good company. Four out of five Americans feel it’s better to go the root canal route than to get a tooth pulled.