Even though impacted wisdom teeth are not visible, they can cause a number of problems, including pain in the back of the jaw. The pain may be caused by the tooth itself or by an infection. Bacteria in the mouth can work its way under the gum tissue and cause a painful infection that may include swelling, stiffness and illness. The infection can worsen and lead to gum disease. The destruction can also extend to other teeth and may result in tooth loss. Because the pressure from erupting wisdom teeth can move other teeth and disrupt the alignment of teeth your orthodontist may request wisdom teeth extraction prior to braces.