Gums swollen at back of mouth
Swelling behind a back tooth can reflect an erupting wisdom tooth, trapped food, gum inflammation, decay, or infection.
Why is the gum swollen behind my back tooth?
Swelling behind a back tooth can reflect an erupting wisdom tooth, trapped food, gum inflammation, decay, or infection.
What can happen under gum covering a wisdom tooth?
The area contains gum over or beside a wisdom tooth; a partly erupted tooth can leave a flap where plaque and food collect, causing pericoronitis.
How should I clean swelling behind a back tooth?
Rinse gently with lukewarm water, brush reachable surfaces, and avoid packing food into the area; a dentist may irrigate, image, restore, treat, or remove the tooth.
When is swelling behind a tooth urgent?
Arrange prompt care for worsening pain, pus, fever, facial swelling, or limited mouth opening; swallowing or breathing difficulty is urgent.
Could my wisdom tooth or nearby molar explain this swelling?
Ask whether the wisdom tooth position, neighboring molar, gum flap, decay, or bone changes explain the swelling and how to clean it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first useful step?
Rinse gently with lukewarm water, brush reachable surfaces, and avoid packing food into the area; a dentist may irrigate, image, restore, treat, or remove the tooth.
When should I seek help?
Arrange prompt care for worsening pain, pus, fever, facial swelling, or limited mouth opening; swallowing or breathing difficulty is urgent.
Keep reading
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.