What causes facial swelling and toothache. How to identify symptoms of dental emergencies. When should you seek immediate dental care. What are effective home remedies for tooth pain relief. How to prevent toothache and maintain optimal oral health.

Understanding Toothache and Facial Swelling: Causes and Symptoms

Toothache and facial swelling are common dental issues that can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. These conditions often indicate underlying dental problems that require prompt attention. But what exactly causes these symptoms?

Toothache occurs when there’s a problem with your teeth or gums, causing pain and discomfort. The pain can be constant, throbbing, or intermittent, and may affect your head, ear, and jaw. Facial swelling, on the other hand, is often a sign of infection or inflammation in the oral cavity.

Common Causes of Toothache and Swelling

• Tooth decay
• Dental injuries
• Cracked or broken teeth
• Loose or broken fillings
• Pulp inflammation
• Receding gums
• Dental abscesses
• Sinus infections
• Mouth ulcers
• Jaw problems

Is facial swelling always a sign of a dental emergency? While not all cases of facial swelling require immediate attention, it’s essential to recognize when prompt care is necessary. Facial swelling accompanied by severe pain, fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or signs of infection (such as redness, warmth, and discharge) should be treated as a dental emergency.

Recognizing Dental Emergency Symptoms: When to Seek Immediate Care

Dental emergencies can escalate quickly, potentially leading to serious health complications if left untreated. Recognizing the signs of a dental emergency is crucial for timely intervention and prevention of further complications.

Key Indicators of a Dental Emergency

• Severe, persistent toothache
• Significant facial swelling
• Fever (temperature over 38°C)
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Signs of infection (redness, swelling, pain, and foul-tasting discharge)
• Bleeding that doesn’t stop
• Knocked-out or loose tooth
• Sudden, severe sensitivity to hot or cold

When should you call your dentist for non-emergency toothache? If your toothache persists for more than two days without improvement, it’s advisable to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Prompt attention to dental issues can prevent them from escalating into more serious problems.

Diagnosing Toothache and Facial Swelling: What to Expect at the Dentist

When you visit your dentist or doctor for toothache and facial swelling, they will conduct a thorough examination to determine the underlying cause. This process typically involves several steps to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

Diagnostic Procedures

1. Visual examination of the mouth, teeth, and gums
2. Discussion of your symptoms and dental history
3. X-rays to identify hidden issues such as decay, abscesses, or bone loss
4. Sensitivity tests to check the health of the tooth pulp
5. Evaluation of your bite and jaw alignment

How does a dentist determine the cause of facial swelling? Dentists use a combination of visual examination, patient history, and diagnostic tools like X-rays to identify the source of swelling. They may also perform additional tests, such as tapping on teeth to check for sensitivity or using electric pulp tests to assess nerve health.

Treatment Options for Toothache and Facial Swelling: From Simple Solutions to Advanced Procedures

The treatment for toothache and facial swelling depends on the underlying cause. Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate course of action based on their diagnosis. Treatment options can range from simple at-home remedies to more complex dental procedures.

Common Dental Treatments

• Dental fillings for cavities
• Root canal therapy for infected or damaged pulp
• Dental crowns for severely damaged teeth
• Tooth extraction for irreparable damage or infection
• Periodontal treatment for gum disease
• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Pain management techniques

Can toothache be treated without seeing a dentist? While some mild toothaches can be temporarily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and home remedies, it’s important to remember that these methods only address the symptoms, not the underlying cause. Persistent or severe toothache should always be evaluated by a dental professional to prevent potential complications.

Home Remedies and Self-Care: Managing Tooth Pain and Swelling

While waiting for professional dental care, there are several home remedies and self-care techniques you can use to manage tooth pain and reduce swelling. These methods can provide temporary relief but should not replace proper dental treatment.

Effective Home Remedies

1. Saltwater rinse: Mix one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and swish for 30 seconds before spitting out. This can help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria.
2. Cold compress: Apply a cold pack wrapped in a towel to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and numb pain.
3. Over-the-counter pain relievers: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and reduce inflammation.
4. Elevation: Keep your head elevated while resting to prevent blood from pooling in the affected area, which can worsen swelling.
5. Avoid irritants: Stay away from hot or cold foods and beverages, as well as sugary or acidic items that may exacerbate pain.

Are clove oil and aspirin effective for toothache relief? While some people claim these remedies are helpful, they are not recommended by dental professionals. Clove oil can irritate sensitive gum tissue, and placing aspirin directly on the gums or tooth can cause chemical burns.

Preventing Toothache and Facial Swelling: Maintaining Optimal Oral Health

Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to dental health. By adopting good oral hygiene practices and making lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing toothaches and facial swelling.

Key Prevention Strategies

• Brush teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss at least once a day
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash
• Eat a balanced diet low in sugar and high in nutrients
• Drink fluoridated water
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption
• Wear a mouthguard during sports activities
• Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings

How often should you replace your toothbrush for optimal oral health? Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed. Using a worn-out toothbrush can be less effective at removing plaque and may harbor harmful bacteria.

Long-Term Consequences: Why Ignoring Dental Issues Can Be Detrimental

Neglecting dental problems can lead to serious long-term consequences that extend beyond oral health. Untreated tooth decay, gum disease, and infections can have far-reaching effects on your overall well-being and quality of life.

Potential Complications of Untreated Dental Issues

1. Chronic pain and discomfort
2. Difficulty eating and speaking
3. Nutritional deficiencies
4. Spread of infection to other parts of the body
5. Increased risk of heart disease and stroke
6. Complications during pregnancy
7. Worsening of existing health conditions like diabetes
8. Loss of teeth and need for expensive restorative procedures
9. Reduced self-esteem and social anxiety

Can poor oral health affect your overall health? Absolutely. The mouth is a gateway to the rest of the body, and oral infections can spread through the bloodstream, potentially affecting vital organs. Moreover, chronic inflammation in the mouth has been linked to various systemic diseases, highlighting the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

Resources and Support: Where to Find Additional Information on Dental Health

Staying informed about dental health is crucial for maintaining a healthy smile and preventing issues like toothache and facial swelling. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available to help you learn more about oral care and find support when needed.

Valuable Dental Health Resources

• Australian Dental Association website: Offers comprehensive information on dental health, including tips on oral hygiene and emergency dental care.
• Local dental clinics: Many dentists provide patient education materials and can answer specific questions about your oral health.
• Government health websites: Platforms like Healthy WA and Queensland Government Health offer reliable information on dental health and services.
• Dental health apps: Several smartphone applications can help you track your oral care routine and provide reminders for brushing and flossing.
• Community health centers: Often provide dental services and education for those with limited access to care.

Where can you find emergency dental care if your regular dentist is unavailable? Many communities have after-hours dental clinics or emergency dental services. You can also check with local hospitals, as some have dental departments that handle emergencies. It’s a good idea to research and keep contact information for emergency dental services in your area before you need them.

By understanding the causes and symptoms of toothache and facial swelling, recognizing dental emergencies, and adopting good oral hygiene practices, you can maintain a healthy smile and prevent serious dental issues. Remember, regular dental check-ups and prompt attention to any oral health concerns are key to preventing complications and ensuring overall well-being. Don’t hesitate to seek professional dental care when needed, as early intervention can save you from pain, discomfort, and potentially costly treatments in the future.

Toothache and Swelling | healthdirect

What is toothache and swelling?

Toothache and swelling happens when there’s a problem with your teeth or gums, causing pain and discomfort.

If you don’t treat it, toothache can get worse. This can affect your overall health and wellbeing. Visit a dentist as soon as you can.

What symptoms relate to toothache and swelling?

Toothache can start suddenly. It can cause pain and discomfort that ranges from mild to very severe. The pain can be constant, throbbing, or it may come and go. It can also affect your head, ear and jaw.

If you have toothache, you may also have:

• swelling around your tooth and inside your mouth
• swelling of your jaw and face
• pain when chewing
• bleeding from your tooth or gums
• sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet food

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the teeth and dental problems Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes toothache and swelling?

If you have a toothache, it can be caused by dental problems such as:

• tooth decay
• a dental injury
• a cracked tooth
• a loose filling
• a broken filling
• inflammation of the pulp inside your tooth
• receding gums
• a dental abscess

You can also have painful teeth if you have a sinus infection, a mouth ulcer or a problem with your jaw.

Cross section of an adult human molar.

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor if you have:

• a fever (a temperature over 38⁰C)
• trouble breathing or swallowing
• an infection (your mouth is red, swollen, painful and there’s a bad-tasting discharge)

Call your dentist if the toothache lasts for more than 2 days.

How is toothache and swelling diagnosed?

Your doctor or dentist will examine your teeth and may take an x-ray. They will ask you about your pain and talk about your dental history.

How is toothache and swelling treated?

Treatment will depend on the cause of the toothache or swelling. It may include a filling, root canal therapy or a crown.

If you have gum disease, your dentist will recommend regular brushing and will remove any plaque.

Treating the cause of the tooth pain or swelling will help provide pain relief.

Looking after yourself

It is important to take care of yourself until you can get treatment for your toothache or swelling.

Make sure you keep your teeth and mouth clean. Brush your teeth after every meal using fluoride toothpaste. If your mouth is sore, use a soft toothbrush.

If you smoke, try to cut down or quit.

Eat foods that are easy to chew and swallow. Avoid drinks that are very hot or very cold.

If you are in pain, ask your healthcare practitioner about pain relief medicines that you can take. Take them regularly and always follow the instructions on the packet.

If you require emergency pain relief, there are some tips you can try at home.

• Try lying with your head propped up on a pillow, as lying flat can sometimes make dental pain feel worse.
• Salt water may provide mild toothache relief. Mix one teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water, then take a mouthful of the liquid. Hold it in your mouth so it covers your affected tooth for two minutes, then spit it out. Do not swallow it. Salt water should not be given to children. They may accidentally swallow it, which could make them feel sick or vomit.
• Try using a cold compress (such as a cold pack) against the side of your face. This will help reduce swelling and provide tooth pain relief. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth before placing it against your skin.

Using clove oil or gargling aspirin are not recommended.

Can toothache and swelling be prevented?

Taking care of your mouth helps prevent toothache and swelling. As well as brushing and flossing regularly:

• eat a healthy balanced diet
• avoid sugary and fatty foods
• drink water containing fluoride
• avoid smoking

Complications of toothache and swelling

It’s important to fix the cause of toothache and swelling. Poor mouth health can destroy the tissues in the mouth, leading to long-term problems. It can make it harder for you to chew and swallow and can affect your nutrition and general health. Untreated dental problems can also affect your overall health.

Resources and support

Find out more about looking after your teeth on the Australian Dental Association’s website.

Get advice on mouth care.

Sources:

Australian Dental Association
(Dental trauma and first aid),
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
(Oral health and dental care in Australia),
Australian Dental Association
(Brushing),
Dental Services Victoria
(Periodontitis – gum disease),
Healthy WA
(Tooth decay and gum disease),
Queensland Government
(Emergency dental),
Sports Medicine Australia
(Mouthguards, Preventing Dental Injuries in sport),
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
(National Oral Health Plan 2015-2024: performance monitoring report)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Dental Abscess with Facial Cellulitis

A dental abscess is a pocket of fluid (pus) at the tip of a tooth root in your jawbone. It’s caused by an infection that often starts with a crack or cavity in a tooth. Symptoms of a dental abscess may include mouth pain and swelling, fever, red gums, and bad taste in the mouth. The pain is often made worse by having hot or cold food or drinks, or biting on hard foods. The pain may spread from the tooth to your ear, or to the area of your jaw on the same side.

If the infection isn’t treated, more serious infections may spread to the face (facial cellulitis). Facial cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying soft tissues. This is a very serious condition. Once the infection and swelling starts, it can spread quickly. Symptoms of cellulitis may include red and swollen skin, fever, chills, and extreme tiredness (fatigue).

Home care

Follow these tips when caring for yourself at home:

• Don’t have hot and cold foods and drinks. Your tooth may be sensitive to changes in temperature. Don’t chew on the side of the infected tooth.

• Put a cold pack on your jaw over the sore area. This can help reduce pain.

• You may use over-the-counter medicine to ease pain, unless another medicine was prescribed. Talk with your healthcare provider before using acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you have chronic liver or kidney disease. Also talk with your provider if you’ve had a stomach ulcer or GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding.

• Your provider will prescribe an antibiotic. Take it exactly as directed. Don’t miss any doses.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your provider, dentist, or oral surgeon, as advised. Severe cases of cellulitis must be checked again in 24 hours. Once a tooth infection occurs, it will be a problem until the infection is drained. This is done through surgery or a root canal. Or you may need to have your tooth pulled.

Call 911

Call 911 if any of these occur:

• Swelling spreads to the upper half of your face or neck

• Your eyelids start to swell shut

• Vision problems

• Abnormal drowsiness or confusion

• Headache or a stiff neck

• Weakness or fainting

• Trouble swallowing or breathing

When to get medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Pain gets worse or spreads to your neck

• Swelling or redness gets worse

• Fever of 100. 4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider

© 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.

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Cheek swelling near the tooth what to do and how to treat

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• WHAT TO DO IN WHEN THE CHEEK TUMORS NEAR THE TOOTH

A swollen cheek first of all brings psychological discomfort, because it is extremely difficult to hide such a defect . Moreover, if pain joins the swelling of the tissues, the problem should not be ignored. First you need to figure out what events preceded the onset of symptoms. What to do if the cheek is swollen near the tooth? If you didn’t have a tooth removed and there were no injuries, don’t allow complications: get a diagnosis and find out if you should worry.

Swollen cheek and toothache: what to do

With inflammatory edema, soft tissues swell, additional symptoms join, which vary depending on the causes of swelling. Usually, in the place of edema, the skin is denser, reddened, painful, hot. Possible increase in body temperature.

What should I do if my tooth hurts and my cheek swells up? To begin with, analyze the previous events. This will not help to accurately diagnose and choose treatment tactics, but it will be useful for the doctor to collect an anamnesis.

Possible causes of swollen cheek:

• Mechanical trauma to the jaw or head. In case of serious injuries, the consequences are most often noticeable: hemorrhages under the skin, swelling under the eyes, abrasions. After serious falls and blows, headaches, vomiting, dizziness, fainting occur.
• Advanced gingivitis or periodontitis, periodontitis. Dental diseases most often cause swelling of the cheeks and pain in the gums and teeth. What to do if the tooth hurts and the tissue around is swollen? Consult a dentist: the doctor will prescribe instrumental diagnostics to find the exact cause of the condition.
• Abscess. If the infectious process affects the alveolar process, there is an accumulation of purulent contents. It can develop within the tissues of the tooth due to the death of the pulp, in the tissues surrounding the tooth in the periodontal pocket. With an abscess, one-sided inflammation is noticeable, which causes asymmetry of the face.
• Traumatic eruption of the wisdom tooth with pocket formation and bone irritation (pericoronitis).
• Osteomyelitis. Necrosis occurs when dental treatment is ignored and complications develop that affect the bone and surrounding tissues. Rarely, a purulent-necrotic process develops as a complication of sinusitis.
• Cyst formed as a result of traumatic impact, periodontitis, infection, diseases of the paranasal sinuses.
• Peri-implantitis – inflammation of the bone and soft tissues around the implant.

Usually swelling of the cheeks occurs due to dental diseases. But another route of infection is also possible: microorganisms spread with the bloodstream during respiratory diseases.

Tooth removed, swollen cheek: what to do

Extraction (removal) of teeth is different for each patient. The most problematic are the molars, especially the “eight” – wisdom teeth. Sometimes a tooth needs to be removed due to the formation of a cyst near the root.

What to do if it is swollen after tooth extraction? Keep in mind that this is a natural reaction to surgery. The gum area in the area of ​​the extracted tooth can hurt from 1 to 3 days, sometimes longer, but pain and swelling should subside. Be sure to monitor the condition of the blood clot. Due to infection of the formed hole, alveolitis may develop.

What to do when the gums are swollen, but the teeth do not bother

Possible causes:

• Erysipelas. It is caused by streptococci, accompanied by fever, chills, weakness. With erysipelas, the affected shiny areas of red color and the boundaries of healthy tissues are clearly visible. Antibiotic therapy is used for treatment.
• Allergy. The sudden appearance of swelling of the face can be caused by a strong allergen, including an insect bite. Perhaps the appearance of urticaria: bubbles of a rash, intolerable itching, redness, burning. Edema with airway occlusion is especially dangerous: the victim urgently needs medical attention.
• Endodontic treatment. After filling the canals, swelling may occur, which disappear within a few days. If pain and swelling do not subside, but increase, a possible cause is treatment errors.
• Neuralgia. When the facial nerve is damaged, it is not the tooth that hurts, but the area near the ears, throat, and tingling of the face is possible.

In any case, if the edema does not subside for several days or other symptoms join, you should consult a doctor to avoid negative consequences.

Diagnosis

Even if you are worried about a swollen cheek without pain, you should consult a doctor. He will conduct an examination and prescribe tests that will help determine the diagnosis. Among the mandatory diagnostic methods, no matter which doctor you turn to, there will be x-rays. Modern doctors prefer a three-dimensional image using cone beam tomography. CBCT allows assessing the condition of hard and soft tissues of the jaw, examining all the details of the image in layers, and also does not harm the human body. Thanks to CBCT, a specialist will accurately and quickly identify the cause of inflammation and make a correct diagnosis.

Swelling appears: what to do at home

To relieve the condition and wait for a visit to the doctor, follow a number of tips.

What to do if you have a tooth removed and your cheek is swollen:

• Use cold compresses;
• Take suitable pain medication.
• Be sure to contact your doctor.

If symptoms worsen, fever, nausea, do not delay the visit to the doctor. The doctor will refer you to a tomography to determine the cause of the pathology and determine the tactics. Residents of the Moscow region and Moscow can make CBCT using high-precision equipment at the modern independent diagnostic center 3D Medica.

+7 495 120-24-77

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Lubyansky proezd, 27/1, building 1, 4th floor, office 434

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What to do if a tooth is swollen at home – it hurts and you don’t know how to treat it

7 August 2018

Content

• Causes of inflammation
• Activities before visiting the dentist
• Diagnostics
• Dental treatment options
• Prevention of inflammation

Such a nuisance as tooth swelling is familiar to many. To be more precise, it is not the tooth itself that swells, but the soft tissues surrounding it. As a rule, this happens after a toothache appears, and the patient does not come to the appointment to eliminate its cause. Pain signals a problem – pulpitis, periodontitis and others. Swelling indicates that an inflammatory process is underway, which must be stopped as soon as possible, otherwise it will spread more widely.

Possible causes of inflammation

Inflammation can start for several reasons:

• Lack of timely treatment of caries.
• Prolonged relief of toothache with anesthetics, as a result of which the pathology developed into pulpitis.
• Poor oral hygiene.
• Non-compliance with recommendations for oral care after prosthetics or implantation.
• Parodontosis, periodontitis, occurrence of gingival canals.
• When wisdom teeth erupt, edema is also possible.

Steps to take before visiting the dentist

You can relieve symptoms and pain at home. These are temporary measures that will help you wait for a visit to the dentist:

• Rinse with a solution of salt and soda with the addition of iodine.
• Use of special gargles from pharmacies and herbal infusions.
• Eliminate hard foods so as not to aggravate symptoms.
• The site of inflammation must not be heated. If it is caused by a purulent abscess, there is a danger that its contents will enter the soft tissues and blood.
• Relief of pain with painkillers.

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Treatment depends on what is causing the swelling. The doctor selects a treatment regimen for each clinical picture, including if it is a complex form, provoked by the patient’s long-term inactivity and not going to dentistry.

• If the inflammation is caused by poor oral hygiene, it is important to have a professional cleaning, antibiotic therapy, and an explanatory talk on dental and gum hygiene.
• If there is inflammation in the area of ​​the erupting wisdom tooth, symptoms should be removed according to the situation, and surgical intervention is also possible (an incision in the gums to drain pus, if it has accumulated).
• In case of inflammation caused by periodontitis, it is important to eliminate the cause of the problem – clean the teeth from calculus and sanitize the pocket.

In any case, the actions of a specialist are aimed at saving the tooth and eliminating the problem as soon as possible. Removal is carried out in extreme cases, when the therapeutic approach is powerless. This happens with inflammation as a result of serious injury, as well as in neglected situations. A timely visit to the doctor will help get rid of the problem without removing the tooth.

Prevention of inflammation of the teeth

Inflammation is provoked by infection. The patient can carry out a number of preventive actions to prevent the entry of bacteria:

• Thorough oral hygiene, brushing teeth twice a day.