Emergency Dentist · SE Portland
Wisdom tooth pain? Let’s take a look.
Pain, swelling or pressure at the back of your mouth is often a wisdom tooth coming in or getting irritated. Call us and we’ll find out what’s going on.
What to do right now
Ease the pain for now
- Rinse gently with warm salt water a few times a day.
- Keep the area clean. Brush and floss gently around the back teeth.
- Use a cold compress on your cheek, 15–20 minutes at a time.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label, if it’s safe for you.
- Stick to softer foods and chew on the other side.
Go to the ER or call 911 if you have swelling that is spreading to your eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, a high fever, bleeding that won’t stop with firm pressure, or a possible jaw fracture or head injury.
How we help
Finding the cause and a plan
Wisdom tooth pain can come from the gum around a partly erupted tooth getting inflamed or infected, from a cavity in a hard-to-clean back tooth, or from crowding. At your visit we’ll examine the area, take x-rays, relieve the pain and explain your options.
If the tooth needs to come out, we’ll talk through the best next step with you, including whether it can be done here or whether we recommend a trusted oral surgeon.
Related: Emergency dentist · Toothache relief · Cleanings & exams
Common questions
Questions we hear a lot
Do wisdom teeth always need to come out?
No. Some wisdom teeth come in healthy and can stay. We’ll check how yours are positioned and whether they’re causing problems.
Why does the gum behind my last tooth hurt?
When a wisdom tooth only partly breaks through, food and bacteria can get trapped under the gum and cause irritation or infection. It should be checked soon.
Is swelling from a wisdom tooth serious?
Swelling can mean infection. If it’s spreading, or you have a fever or trouble opening your mouth, swallowing or breathing, call us right away or go to the ER.
Same-day care
Get relief from wisdom tooth pain.
Call us during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM) and we’ll do our best to see you today, whether or not you’re already a patient. Most PPO plans are welcome, financing is available, and our team speaks English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Cantonese and Korean. After hours, leave your details and we’ll call you back first thing in the morning.