Why are my gums hurting in the back
Pain in the back gums can come from an erupting wisdom tooth, trapped food, gum inflammation, trauma, or an infection around a partially erupted tooth.
The short answer
The back gum covers the molars and may also cover part of a wisdom tooth. When a tooth is partly covered, a flap of tissue can trap plaque and food, causing localized inflammation called pericoronitis.
What other problems can cause pain at the back?
Other causes include a cavity in a back molar, a cracked tooth, periodontal infection, a cheek bite, or irritation from a sharp food fragment. The exact source depends on the tooth, gum, jaw movement, and presence of swelling.
What can you do for pain near the back teeth?
Rinse gently with warm salt water, brush nearby surfaces carefully, and use suitable pain relief according to the label. Do not probe under a gum flap with a sharp object or place medication directly on the tissue.
When is back-gum pain an urgent dental problem?
Get urgent care for swelling that spreads toward the cheek or neck, fever, pus, difficulty opening the mouth, or trouble swallowing. A dentist may clean the area, take an X-ray, prescribe treatment when indicated, or address the involved tooth.
Could a wisdom tooth or molar be causing the pain?
Ask whether a wisdom tooth, molar, gum pocket, or bite injury is responsible. Ask whether imaging is needed and how to clean the area without traumatizing it.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the pain worsen when I open my mouth?
Inflamed tissue near a wisdom tooth or a spreading dental infection can make jaw movement painful and restricted.
Should I remove a wisdom tooth because it hurts?
Pain alone does not determine the treatment; the dentist assesses eruption, position, infection, decay, and the tooth’s role.
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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.