The History of Dentistry

5 Common Causes of Wisdom Tooth Pain

8 September 2022

Regina Carlson

Wisdom teeth are found at the back of your mouth, and they're the last teeth to emerge. This generally happens during a person's late teens or early twenties, and it isn't uncommon to experience pain as wisdom teeth come through. This can be nothing to worry about, but some causes could be more serious. 

With that in mind, here are five common causes of pain associated with wisdom teeth.

1. Partial Eruption

Sometimes a wisdom tooth won't come through all the way. This can be an issue when a flap of gum still covers the biting surface. When you bite down, food at the back of your mouth will press that flap of gum against the tooth. This will naturally cause pain and discomfort that often gets worse over time as the gum becomes more tender.

2. Infections

Sometimes food and bacteria can become trapped between an emerging wisdom tooth and the gum that surrounds it, which can in turn lead to an infection, gum disease or an abscess. When this happens, your dental pain may be accompanied by signs of a fever.

3. Cysts

When a permanent tooth is emerging, a clear sack of fluid can form around it. These are known as dental cysts, and they are often nothing to worry about since most remain small and present no symptoms. However, cysts may grow, which will cause pain as they press against the tooth or gum. Cysts are most likely to develop around wisdom teeth on the lower jaw, and they require attention since they can damage the roots of teeth as well as the bone that supports them.

4. Decay

Wisdom teeth can be difficult to reach with a toothbrush even when they come through perfectly, and if this doesn't happen small bits of food can get stuck around an impacted wisdom tooth. This makes decay more likely. If decay is allowed to progress to the point where dental cavities are created, you're likely to feel a throbbing pain that becomes worse while eating.

5. Eruption Pain

Finally, it might just be that you're experiencing pain as a result of your wisdom teeth coming through. Though wisdom teeth can sometimes emerge with very little discomfort, many people experience pain when they first come through. As the wisdom tooth breaks through the gum, you may experience swelling or soreness. This is perfectly natural, though it might be worth seeing your dentist if the pain is particularly acute or lasts longer than a few days.

Reach out to a dentistry clinic for more information.

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