The appearance of third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, frequently leads to pain complaints in the back of the jaw. These are the last teeth to emerge, typically between the ages of 17 and 25, and often find that the jaw has insufficient space for them to settle correctly. This lack of room or misalignment can cause the tooth to become trapped beneath the gums or bone, a condition called impaction. When a person experiences discomfort that radiates from the back of the mouth, the wisdom tooth is a common source.
How Wisdom Teeth Lead to Jaw Pain
A wisdom tooth causes jaw pain through impaction, where the tooth is unable to erupt fully and grows at an odd angle. A tooth growing sideways can press directly against the adjacent second molar, creating significant pressure that the jawbone registers as a deep ache. This physical force causes discomfort that extends into the surrounding bone and soft tissues.
Another frequent cause is pericoronitis, an infection and inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding a partially erupted wisdom tooth. When a tooth only partially breaks through the gum line, a flap of tissue (an operculum) can form over the crown. This flap traps food debris and bacteria, creating a site for infection that causes swelling and intense localized pain.
The inflammatory response can irritate nearby jaw muscles, leading to muscle stiffness or spasm. This condition, known as trismus, limits the ability to open the mouth fully, causing stiffness and pain in the jaw joint and muscles. Additionally, the pressure from an impacted tooth can sometimes lead to the formation of a fluid-filled sac, or cyst, within the jawbone, which damages surrounding bone structure and nerves, contributing to persistent jaw pain.
Accompanying Signs of a Problematic Wisdom Tooth
When jaw pain stems from a problematic third molar, several other symptoms often appear concurrently. The soft tissues around the affected tooth become tender, red, and swollen. This localized swelling can make biting or chewing difficult and painful, as pressure is intensified during jaw movement.
In cases of infection, like pericoronitis, a person may notice an unpleasant taste or persistent bad breath, caused by the accumulation of bacteria or pus drainage. The infection can cause the lymph nodes in the neck and under the jaw to become swollen and tender as the body fights the bacteria. The inflammation and muscle restriction can also make swallowing painful, a symptom known as dysphagia.
When It Might Not Be the Wisdom Tooth
While wisdom teeth are a common culprit, jaw pain can originate from several other unrelated conditions. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders affect the hinge joints that connect the jawbone to the skull. Pain from a TMJ disorder often presents as tenderness near the ear or an ache that spreads to the head and neck, sometimes accompanied by a clicking or popping sound when moving the jaw.
Another common cause is bruxism, which involves the involuntary clenching or grinding of teeth, frequently occurring during sleep. This repetitive muscle strain fatigues the jaw muscles, leading to generalized soreness and pain. Referred pain from an infection in the sinus cavities (sinusitis) can also cause an aching sensation in the upper jaw, as the roots of the upper back teeth are close to the floor of the sinuses.
Seeking Professional Diagnosis and Relief
Identifying the source of jaw pain requires a professional dental examination. A dentist performs a clinical assessment, inspecting the area for signs of swelling or infection. This is followed by taking diagnostic images, typically a panoramic X-ray (OPG).
The panoramic X-ray provides a complete, two-dimensional view of the entire jaw, allowing the dentist to see the position and angle of the wisdom tooth relative to the nerves and adjacent molars. This image confirms whether the tooth is impacted, the severity of the impaction, and if any damage, such as a cyst or decay, has occurred. Based on this diagnosis, treatment can range from managing an active infection with antibiotics and localized cleaning to surgical extraction.
Extraction is often the definitive path to relief, as it removes the source of pressure and potential infection. For severe impactions or cases where the tooth is close to a major nerve, the dentist may recommend a Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scan to create a detailed three-dimensional image. This advanced imaging ensures the extraction procedure can be planned with precision, minimizing risks and providing the most effective long-term resolution to the jaw pain.