Recurring pain at the very back of the mouth is often linked to a wisdom tooth. When a wisdom tooth only partly breaks through the gum, or is held at an awkward angle, the area around it can become inflamed again and again, flaring up and then settling before returning. If pain at the back of your mouth keeps coming back, it is worth having a dentist look at the tooth and the gum around it, because the cycle rarely resolves on its own.
Key takeaways
- A partly erupted or impacted wisdom tooth is one of the most common reasons for pain that returns at the back of the mouth.
- The gum flap over a partly erupted wisdom tooth can trap food and bacteria, leading to repeated inflammation (pericoronitis).
- Painkillers and warm salt-water rinses may ease a flare-up, but they do not remove the underlying cause.
- Recurring pain, swelling, a bad taste or difficulty opening the mouth are all reasons to see a dentist.
- A dental assessment, often with an X-ray, is the only way to know why the pain keeps returning.
What is at the back of the mouth?
The wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last teeth to come through, usually in the late teens or early twenties. Because they arrive last, there is often not enough room left in the jaw for them to sit properly. A wisdom tooth may come through fully, partly, or stay buried under the gum and bone (impacted).
When there is limited space, a wisdom tooth can push against the tooth in front, lean sideways or emerge only halfway. Any of these situations can irritate the surrounding gum and cause pain that comes and goes. Royce Dental Group’s page on wisdom tooth treatment explains how these teeth are assessed and managed.
Why does the pain keep coming back rather than going away?
The reason pain often returns, rather than clearing up for good, is that the trigger stays in place. A partly erupted wisdom tooth leaves a small flap of gum over part of the tooth. Food debris and bacteria collect under this flap, where a toothbrush cannot easily reach. The gum becomes inflamed, causing pain and swelling. This is known as pericoronitis.
A flare-up may settle for a while, especially if you rinse the area or the swelling reduces on its own. But because the flap and the trapped debris are still there, the inflammation can return, sometimes triggered by tiredness, an upcoming illness, or biting on the swollen gum with the opposing tooth. This stop-start pattern is very typical of wisdom tooth problems.
Common reasons for recurring pain at the back of the mouth
Not all back-of-mouth pain is caused by wisdom teeth, but they are a frequent culprit. Possible causes include:
Cause | What is happening | Typical pattern |
|---|---|---|
Pericoronitis | Gum flap over a partly erupted wisdom tooth traps food and bacteria | Recurring pain and swelling, often with a bad taste |
Impacted wisdom tooth | Tooth is angled or stuck against the neighbouring tooth or bone | Deep, dull ache that returns; sometimes pressure or jaw pain |
Tooth decay | A hard-to-clean wisdom tooth or the tooth next to it develops a cavity | Sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold; pain on biting |
Gum inflammation | Bacteria build up around a tooth that is difficult to clean | Tender, bleeding gums that flare with poor cleaning |
Food trapping | Gaps around an awkward wisdom tooth catch food | Discomfort after eating that eases once the area is cleaned |
Because these causes can look and feel similar, a dentist needs to examine the area to tell them apart. Our published guide, answering your wisdom teeth woes, gives a broader overview of how wisdom teeth develop and the problems they can cause.
What can you do at home during a flare-up?
Home measures may make you more comfortable while you arrange to see a dentist, but they are not a substitute for treatment:
- Rinse gently with warm salt water (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) a few times a day to help keep the area clean.
- Clean carefully around the tooth with a soft toothbrush, even if the gum is tender.
- Use over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the packet, if it is suitable for you.
- Avoid poking the gum flap with sharp objects, which can worsen the irritation.
- Eat soft foods and try to chew on the other side during a flare-up.
If the pain settles, it is still worth having the tooth checked, because the flare-up is likely to return.
- Teeth can begin to shift within days to weeks without a retainer, especially soon after braces or aligner treatment.
- Call your dental clinic promptly and bring the broken retainer, if you have it, to your appointment.
- Do not glue, bend or heat a retainer at home: it can change the fit or damage your teeth and gums.
- A new retainer is usually made from fresh impressions or a digital scan of your teeth.
- Many retainers are lost in a tissue or napkin at meal times, so always keeping it in its case is the simplest protection.
Royce Dental Group is both CHAS-accredited & Flexi-MediSave-accredited.
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You should arrange a dental appointment if you have:
When should you see a dentist?
You should arrange a dental appointment if you have:
- Pain at the back of the mouth that keeps coming back, even if it settles in between.
- Swelling of the gum, cheek or jaw.
- A persistent bad taste or bad breath coming from the area.
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully, or pain when swallowing.
- A fever alongside mouth pain and swelling.
Swelling that is spreading, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a high fever should be treated as urgent, and you should seek dental or medical care promptly.
A dentist will examine the area and may take an X-ray to see the position of the wisdom tooth and its roots. This helps explain why the pain is recurring and what the options are. In some cases the area is cleaned and the tooth is monitored; in others, removal is discussed.
Frequently asked questions
Does recurring back-of-mouth pain always mean my wisdom tooth needs to be removed?
Why does the pain go away and then come back?
Can salt-water rinses fix the problem?
Is it normal to feel pain in my jaw or ear as well?
How will a dentist find out what is causing the pain?
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice. Please consult a qualified dentist in Singapore for advice specific to your situation.
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