Swollen gums in the back of the mouth can be a source of discomfort and concern, often indicating an underlying issue. This symptom signals that the body is responding to an irritant or infection. Understanding the potential reasons behind this swelling is an important first step toward finding relief and maintaining oral health.
Wisdom Teeth Concerns
The eruption of wisdom teeth is a common reason for swelling in the back of the mouth. As these teeth attempt to break through the gum line, they can cause inflammation and tenderness.
A frequent issue with partially erupted wisdom teeth is pericoronitis, inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue. This occurs when a flap of gum tissue, called an operculum, covers part of the wisdom tooth, creating an ideal environment for bacteria, food particles, and plaque to accumulate. The trapped debris and bacteria can lead to infection, causing severe pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes pus discharge.
Wisdom teeth can be impacted, meaning they are unable to emerge properly due to being lodged or growing at an angle beneath the bone. This impaction can exert pressure on surrounding gum tissue and adjacent teeth, contributing to persistent swelling and pain. An infection from the impacted tooth can spread to the gum, leading to an abscess.
Gum Disease
Swollen gums, including in the back, can indicate gum disease, caused by plaque buildup. Gingivitis, the initial stage, results from bacteria accumulating on teeth, causing irritation, redness, swelling, and easy bleeding. Healthy gums are firm and pale pink, fitting snugly around the teeth.
If gingivitis is left unaddressed, it can progress to periodontitis, a more advanced gum disease. Periodontitis involves ongoing gum irritation and swelling that can cause deep pockets to form between the gums and teeth. These pockets can fill with plaque, tartar, and bacteria, leading to the destruction of the bone supporting the teeth.
Periodontitis symptoms include persistent bad breath, changes in bite, receding gums, loose teeth, and pain while chewing. Pus around the gum line and reddish or purplish swollen gums are indicators. Maintaining good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, helps prevent the buildup of plaque and subsequent gum inflammation.
Specific Oral Issues
Beyond wisdom teeth and generalized gum disease, other localized issues can cause swelling in the back gums. Dental abscesses, localized collections of pus, can form in the teeth or gums due to bacterial infections. These abscesses appear as a swollen bump on the gums and cause throbbing pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, and facial swelling.
Trauma to the gum tissue can also lead to swelling. This can occur from aggressive brushing, accidentally biting down on a hard object, or other direct injuries. The gums respond to injury by becoming swollen, red, and tender.
Food impaction, where food particles become lodged, is another common cause of irritation and swelling. This trapped food can press against the gums, leading to inflammation, and if not removed, can create a breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the risk of infection or decay. Symptoms of food impaction include aching or tenderness, puffy gums, and an unpleasant odor.