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Why Is My Gum Swollen Around One Tooth In The Back

✍️ Written By Kevin P
👨‍⚕️ Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nick I – General Practitioner & Medical Author
📅 Last Updated On July 20, 2026
Waking up while having a throbbing, swollen bump in the back of the mouth can be quite alarming. When the gum is swollen around just one tooth in the back. This is all about getting a sign that the body is trying to fight off an irritation or an infection. As the back of the mouth is super hard to see and clean, several common dental conditions can target this specific area. Below are some breakdowns of what might be happening. Also know how one can find temporary relief, and when it is time to see a dentist.

4 Common Reasons for Swelling in the Back Gums 

The back of jaw houses can be about the molars and wisdom teeth. As these teeth do heavy-duty chewing and are tucked away in dark corners, they are just so prone to a few specific conditions that are mentioned below.

  1. Wisdom Teeth Complications (Pericoronitis)

While you still have the wisdom teeth, they can be further trying to break through the gums. Often, there is not enough room in the jaw. This can all lead to the tooth becoming "impacted" (stuck under the bone or gum line). When a wisdom tooth only pokes partway through. This can all create a small flap of gum tissue that can be over the crown. Getting proper food particles and bacteria easily get trapped under such flap. Since the toothbrush cannot simply reach beneath it, the area can quickly become inflamed and infected at the same time. Dentists call such painful condition pericoronitis in medical terms.

  1. A Dental Abscess (Tooth Infection)

When a localized, painful swelling that shall look like a small pimple on the gum. This can be about dental abscess. It all takes place when bacteria shall invade the deep, inner pulp of the tooth. Such an issue can often occur due to an untreated cavity or some deep crack. This is also about the infection that spreads to the root tip. The body can create a pocket of a pus which can contain the infection. It can all lead to some severe pressure, swelling, and a throbbing ache.

  1. Localized Gum Disease

While there is numerous general gum diseases (gingivitis) usually it can affect the whole mouth, you can develop a localized pocket of infection. If a hard piece of food including a popcorn kernel, chip shard, or sharp seed can all get wedged deep between the tooth and gum line. This can be about the damage of the tissue. If it is not dislodged, bacteria can further gather around it. This can also be about leading to condition like sudden swelling and tenderness in that exact spot.

  1. Tooth Decay or a Damaged Restoration

When this back molar might have some deep cavity, or if an old filling or crown might be cracked. This can altogether create a perfect hiding spot for plaque. Over time, the constant bacterial buildup right next to the gumline leads the surrounding tissue to become red, puffy, and sore.

How to Get Relief at Home 

While other home remedies fail to cure a bacterial infection or fix a misaligned wisdom tooth. This can also help to soothe the inflammation while one shall wait for a dental appointment. 
  • Warm Saltwater Rinses: Mix half a teaspoon of salt right into the glass of warm water. Swish it slowly right around the mouth for nearly 30 seconds before spitting it out. Perform this activity around 3 to 4 times a day. Salt water is a natural disinfectant, which can draw out fluid to lower the condition of swelling. 
  • Cold Compresses: Hold an ice pack clearly wrapped in a cloth against the outside of the cheek next to the sore spot for approx. 15 minutes. This can also help in numbing the area and constrict blood vessels to control inflammation. 
  • Gentle Cleaning: Never stop brushing, but you can instead switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush. Lightly clean the complete area to help in clearing away those loose debris without tearing the irritated gum tissue. 
  • Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Some of the known and non-prescription anti-inflammatory solutions can be helpful in managing the discomfort temporarily. Make sure that you always take such medicines carefully as directed on the packaging.

When to See a Dentist Immediately 

Gum swelling that happens right around a single back tooth is not something one must ignore. If the root cause is a bacterial infection or an abscess, this cannot go away on its own and on the other hand, it can spread to the jaw, neck, or bloodstream. As per the clinical guidelines from organizations, you need to schedule an evaluation with a dentist as soon as some of the symptoms occur. You are to seek immediate emergency medical or dental care while experiencing any of the following "red flag" symptoms: 
  • A fever or general chills 
  • Severe difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth fully 
  • Swelling that visibly moves into your cheek, jawline, or down your neck 
  • A foul-tasting fluid suddenly bursting from the bump (which indicates a draining abscess) 
  • Severe, throbbing pain, which can keep you awake through the night
The dentist can take a digital X-ray to look at what is happening beneath such gumline. Whether one might need a deep cleaning to remove a foreign object, a root canal to save an infected molar. Or something like a wisdom tooth extraction, which can treat the problem early, is the best way to protect your health and get back to smiling comfortably.
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