Wisdom tooth pain is one of those things you don’t really think about… until it hits. And when it does, it can be surprisingly intense. If you’re feeling a throbbing ache at the back of your mouth, you’re definitely not alone – wisdom teeth cause problems for loads of people.
Why wisdom teeth can hurt so much
The short answer? They’re late to the party.
Often there isn’t enough space for them, so they:
- Push against other teeth
- Come through at awkward angles
- Only half erupt, leaving a flap of gum that traps food and bacteria
This can lead to soreness, swelling, and sometimes infection. Signs your wisdom tooth might be infected
- A bad taste or smell
- Swelling around the gums
- Pain when opening your mouth
- Earache or jaw achev
- Difficulty chewing
- Feeling run-down or feverish
If you’re experiencing these regularly, it’s something you shouldn’t ignore. When wisdom tooth pain becomes an emergency
If the swelling is spreading, if you have a fever, or if you’re struggling to eat or sleep because of the pain, it’s time to see a dentist urgently. Infections around wisdom teeth can escalate quickly, so early care makes a big difference.
What we can do to help
Depending on what’s going on, we may:
- Clean and flush the area
- Treat any infection
- Offer pain relief
- Discuss whether the tooth needs to be removed
Some wisdom teeth behave for a while and then flare up again later – in those cases, removal is often the most reliable long-term fix.
You don’t have to “wait it out”. Wisdom tooth pain is incredibly common, and we deal with it every day.
