Wisdom Tooth Pain: Causes and When to Have It Removed
Pain at the very back of your mouth is often a wisdom tooth. Here’s what’s going on and how we help.
What you may be experiencing
Wisdom tooth trouble usually shows up as aching, pressure, or swelling at the back of the jaw — sometimes with tenderness in the gum, difficulty opening wide, or a bad taste if the area is infected. It can come and go as the tooth tries to erupt.
Common causes
- A wisdom tooth erupting or pushing against neighboring teeth
- An impacted tooth (stuck under the gum or bone)
- A partly erupted tooth with gum that traps food and bacteria (pericoronitis)
- Decay or gum infection around a hard-to-clean back tooth
Can it wait? A quick guide
Call us today
- Swelling of the jaw or face, or difficulty opening your mouth
- Fever, or a spreading infection or bad taste
- Severe, worsening pain
A regular appointment is fine
- Mild soreness or pressure at the back of the mouth
- Occasional tenderness when brushing back there
What you can do right now
- Rinse with warm salt water to soothe the area and keep it clean
- Use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek for swelling
- Take over-the-counter pain relief as directed until you can be seen
How we help at Highmark Dental Care
- An exam and X-ray to see the position of the tooth and what’s causing the pain
- Simple or surgical extraction when removal is the right call — we perform both here
- Comfort options including nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and clear post-op instructions
- Treatment of any infection to settle things down safely
Cost & insurance
The right treatment — and its cost — depends on what we find during your exam, so we’ll always explain your options and the fees clearly before we begin anything. We accept many dental insurance plans and file your claims as a courtesy; any benefit estimate is exactly that — an estimate, and you’re responsible for what your plan doesn’t cover. We also accept cash, check, and major credit cards, with flexible payment arrangements available. See our Insurance page for the plans we accept — and we’re glad to help you understand your benefits before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Do wisdom teeth always need to be removed?
No — if they come in straight, healthy, and cleanable, they can sometimes stay. Removal is recommended when they’re impacted, causing pain or infection, crowding other teeth, or hard to keep clean.
Do you remove wisdom teeth in your office?
Yes. Dr. Skiba performs both simple and surgical extractions, including wisdom teeth, with comfort options available.
How do I relieve wisdom tooth pain right now?
Rinse with warm salt water, use a cold compress on your cheek, and take over-the-counter pain relief as directed. If there’s swelling or fever, call us the same day.
Not sure how urgent it is? Just call.
Our team will help you decide the right next step — and we keep time open for emergencies with same or next-day appointments when needed.