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 is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
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 next?
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 should you seek dental care?
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.
What should you ask the dentist?
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.