What causes facial swelling and toothache. How to identify dental emergencies. When should you seek immediate dental care. What are the treatment options for toothache and swelling. How can you prevent dental problems at home.

Understanding Toothache and Facial Swelling: Symptoms and Causes

Toothache and facial swelling are common dental issues that can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. These conditions often indicate an underlying problem with your teeth or gums that requires attention. Recognizing the symptoms and understanding their causes is crucial for proper treatment and prevention.

Common Symptoms of Toothache and Swelling

• Constant or throbbing pain in the affected tooth
• Swelling around the tooth and inside the mouth
• Facial and jaw swelling
• Pain when chewing
• Bleeding from the tooth or gums
• Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods

Is facial swelling always associated with toothache? While facial swelling often accompanies toothache, it can also occur independently due to various dental or medical conditions. In some cases, swelling may be the first noticeable sign of a dental problem, even before pain develops.

Potential Causes of Toothache and Swelling

1. Tooth decay
2. Dental injuries
3. Cracked or fractured teeth
4. Loose or broken fillings
5. Pulp inflammation (pulpitis)
6. Receding gums
7. Dental abscess
8. Sinus infections
9. Mouth ulcers
10. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Can a sinus infection cause tooth pain? Yes, sinus infections can indeed cause tooth pain, particularly in the upper back teeth. This occurs because the roots of these teeth are close to the sinus cavities. When sinuses become inflamed or infected, the pressure can result in tooth pain that mimics dental problems.

Identifying Dental Emergencies: When to Seek Immediate Care

Distinguishing between a routine dental issue and an emergency is crucial for maintaining oral health and preventing complications. While not all instances of toothache and swelling require immediate attention, certain symptoms indicate the need for prompt medical or dental intervention.

Signs of a Dental Emergency

• Fever exceeding 38°C (100.4°F)
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Severe pain lasting more than two days
• Significant facial swelling
• Signs of infection (redness, swelling, pain, and foul-tasting discharge)
• Trauma to the teeth or jaw

How quickly should you seek dental care for severe tooth pain? If you experience severe tooth pain that persists for more than two days or is accompanied by fever, swelling, or difficulty breathing, you should seek dental care immediately. These symptoms could indicate a serious infection that may spread if left untreated.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Toothache and Swelling

Proper diagnosis is essential for effective treatment of toothache and facial swelling. Dentists employ various methods to identify the underlying cause and determine the most appropriate course of action.

Diagnostic Procedures

• Comprehensive oral examination
• Dental X-rays
• Discussion of symptoms and dental history
• Percussion and temperature tests

What can you expect during a dental examination for toothache? During a dental examination, your dentist will visually inspect your teeth and gums, possibly take X-rays, and may perform tests to assess your tooth’s sensitivity to temperature and pressure. They will also ask about your symptoms and dental history to make an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Treatment for toothache and swelling varies depending on the underlying cause. Common interventions include:

1. Dental fillings for cavities
2. Root canal therapy for infected or inflamed pulp
3. Dental crowns for cracked or severely decayed teeth
4. Periodontal treatment for gum disease
5. Antibiotics for dental infections
6. Extraction for severely damaged or impacted teeth

How effective is root canal therapy in treating severe toothache? Root canal therapy is highly effective in treating severe toothache caused by infected or inflamed tooth pulp. The procedure removes the damaged tissue, relieves pain, and allows you to keep your natural tooth. Success rates for root canal treatment are generally above 95% when performed by a skilled endodontist.

Home Care and Pain Management for Dental Issues

While waiting for professional dental care, there are several steps you can take at home to manage pain and swelling associated with toothache.

Temporary Pain Relief Measures

• Over-the-counter pain relievers (following package instructions)
• Salt water rinses (for adults only)
• Cold compress application to reduce swelling
• Elevating your head while lying down

Is it safe to use clove oil for toothache relief? While some people use clove oil as a natural remedy for toothache, its effectiveness and safety are not well-established. It’s best to consult with a dentist before using any home remedies, as they may interact with other treatments or mask symptoms of a more serious condition.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene During Toothache

Even when experiencing dental pain, it’s crucial to maintain good oral hygiene:

• Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Clean between teeth carefully with floss or interdental brushes
• Avoid very hot or cold foods and beverages
• Choose soft, easy-to-chew foods

How can you brush your teeth when experiencing dental pain? When dealing with dental pain, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle, circular motions. Focus on cleaning all surfaces of your teeth and along the gumline. If a particular area is too sensitive, clean it as best you can without causing additional discomfort and inform your dentist about the sensitive areas during your next visit.

Preventing Toothache and Facial Swelling: Oral Health Best Practices

Prevention is key when it comes to maintaining good oral health and avoiding painful dental conditions. By adopting proper oral hygiene habits and making lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing toothaches and facial swelling.

Daily Oral Care Routine

• Brush teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss or use interdental cleaners once a day
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months

How often should you visit the dentist for check-ups? Regular dental check-ups are crucial for maintaining oral health. Most dentists recommend visiting every six months for professional cleaning and examination. However, some individuals may need more frequent visits based on their oral health status and risk factors.

Dietary and Lifestyle Considerations

1. Limit sugary and acidic foods and beverages
2. Drink plenty of water, especially fluoridated water
3. Quit smoking or using tobacco products
4. Wear a mouthguard during contact sports
5. Address teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)

Can a balanced diet really impact your dental health? Absolutely. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium and vitamin D, contributes to strong teeth and healthy gums. Conversely, a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Long-term Consequences of Untreated Dental Problems

Neglecting dental issues can lead to severe complications that extend beyond oral health. Understanding these potential consequences emphasizes the importance of prompt treatment and regular dental care.

Oral Health Complications

• Chronic gum disease (periodontitis)
• Tooth loss
• Dental abscesses
• Bone loss in the jaw
• Difficulty chewing and speaking

How does periodontitis affect overall health? Periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease, has been linked to various systemic health issues. The chronic inflammation associated with periodontitis may contribute to cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, respiratory infections, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This underscores the importance of maintaining good oral health as part of overall wellness.

Systemic Health Risks

Untreated dental problems can have far-reaching effects on your general health, potentially contributing to:

1. Cardiovascular disease
2. Diabetes complications
3. Respiratory infections
4. Pregnancy complications
5. Nutritional deficiencies

Can poor oral health really affect your heart? Research suggests a link between oral health and heart disease. The bacteria associated with gum disease can enter the bloodstream, potentially causing inflammation in blood vessels and increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems. While more research is needed to fully understand this connection, maintaining good oral health is considered beneficial for overall cardiovascular health.

Advancements in Dental Care: Modern Technologies and Treatments

The field of dentistry is constantly evolving, with new technologies and treatments improving patient care and outcomes. Understanding these advancements can help patients make informed decisions about their dental health.

Innovative Diagnostic Tools

• 3D dental imaging (Cone Beam Computed Tomography)
• Intraoral cameras
• Digital X-rays
• Laser cavity detection

How do 3D dental imaging technologies improve diagnosis? 3D dental imaging, such as Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), provides detailed, three-dimensional views of teeth, bones, and soft tissues. This allows dentists to detect issues that might be missed on traditional X-rays, leading to more accurate diagnoses and treatment planning, especially for complex cases like impacted teeth or root canal treatments.

Cutting-edge Treatment Options

1. Laser dentistry for soft tissue procedures
2. CAD/CAM technology for same-day crowns
3. Dental implants with improved materials and techniques
4. Minimally invasive treatments for tooth decay
5. Advanced periodontal therapies

What are the benefits of laser dentistry in treating gum disease? Laser dentistry offers several advantages in treating gum disease, including reduced bleeding, faster healing times, and less postoperative pain compared to traditional surgical methods. Lasers can precisely target diseased tissue while preserving healthy gum tissue, potentially leading to better outcomes and patient comfort.

As dental technology continues to advance, patients can expect more comfortable, efficient, and effective treatments for a wide range of oral health issues. These innovations not only improve the quality of care but also make dental visits less daunting for those who experience anxiety about dental procedures.

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

• Home
• Articles
• 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.