What are the causes of facial swelling and toothache. How can you identify a dental emergency. What are the treatment options for tooth pain and swelling. How can you prevent dental issues and maintain oral health.

Understanding Facial Swelling and Toothache: Symptoms and Causes

Facial swelling and toothache are common dental issues that can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. These symptoms often indicate underlying dental problems that require prompt attention. Recognizing the signs and understanding the causes is crucial for proper management and timely treatment.

Common Symptoms Associated with Toothache and Swelling

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

Is facial swelling always associated with a toothache? Not necessarily. While facial swelling can often accompany tooth pain, it may also occur due to other oral health issues or medical conditions. However, when present together, they frequently indicate a more serious dental problem that requires immediate attention.

Potential Causes of Toothache and Swelling

Several dental issues can lead to tooth pain and facial swelling:

• Tooth decay
• Dental injuries
• Cracked or fractured teeth
• Loose or broken fillings
• Pulp inflammation (pulpitis)
• Receding gums
• Dental abscesses

Are there non-dental causes of facial swelling and toothache? Yes, in some cases, these symptoms may be related to sinus infections, mouth ulcers, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. It’s essential to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Identifying Dental Emergencies: When to Seek Immediate Care

Recognizing a dental emergency is crucial for preserving oral health and preventing complications. While not all instances of facial swelling and toothache require urgent care, certain symptoms should prompt immediate medical attention.

Signs of a Dental Emergency

• Fever (temperature over 38°C)
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Severe pain and swelling
• Visible infection with redness and bad-tasting discharge
• Prolonged bleeding
• Trauma to the teeth or jaw

How long should you wait before seeking professional help for a toothache? If your toothache persists for more than two days, it’s advisable to contact your dentist. Prolonged pain may indicate a more serious underlying issue that requires professional intervention.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Facial Swelling and Toothache

Proper diagnosis is essential for effective treatment of dental issues causing facial swelling and toothache. Healthcare professionals employ various methods to identify the root cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Diagnostic Procedures

• Thorough oral examination
• Dental X-rays
• Medical history review
• Pain assessment

What can you expect during a dental examination for facial swelling and toothache? Your dentist will carefully inspect your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues. They may gently tap on your teeth to identify areas of sensitivity and use dental instruments to check for cavities or other issues. X-rays may be taken to visualize the internal structures of your teeth and jawbone.

Treatment Options

The treatment for facial swelling and toothache depends on the underlying cause. Common interventions include:

1. Dental fillings for cavities
2. Root canal therapy for severe infections or damage to the tooth pulp
3. Dental crowns for extensively damaged teeth
4. Periodontal treatment for gum disease
5. Antibiotics for bacterial infections
6. Pain management medications
7. Extraction of severely damaged or infected teeth

How long does it typically take to recover from dental treatments for facial swelling and toothache? Recovery times vary depending on the procedure and individual factors. Simple treatments like fillings may provide immediate relief, while more complex procedures like root canals may require a few days of recovery. Your dentist will provide specific post-treatment care instructions to ensure optimal healing.

Home Remedies and Self-Care for Temporary Relief

While professional dental care is essential for addressing the root cause of facial swelling and toothache, there are several home remedies and self-care practices that can provide temporary relief until you can see a dentist.

Effective Home Remedies

• Salt water rinse: Mix one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out. This can help reduce inflammation and provide mild pain relief.
• 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.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen to manage pain and inflammation.
• Elevate your head: When lying down, prop your head up with pillows to reduce blood flow to the affected area and minimize swelling.

Are there any home remedies to avoid when dealing with facial swelling and toothache? It’s best to avoid applying heat to the affected area, as this can increase inflammation. Additionally, avoid using clove oil or aspirin directly on the gums, as these can cause irritation and potentially worsen the condition.

Self-Care Practices

Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial when dealing with dental issues:

• Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal
• Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen tooth enamel
• Floss carefully to remove food particles and plaque
• Avoid very hot or cold foods and beverages
• Opt for soft, easy-to-chew foods to minimize discomfort

How can you maintain oral hygiene when your mouth is sore? Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle, circular motions when brushing. If regular brushing is too painful, you can temporarily use a saltwater rinse or an alcohol-free mouthwash to help keep your mouth clean until you can see a dentist.

Preventing Facial Swelling and Toothache: Oral Health Best Practices

Prevention is key when it comes to maintaining optimal oral health and avoiding dental emergencies. By adopting good oral hygiene habits and making lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing facial swelling and toothache.

Daily Oral Care Routine

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time
• Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen tooth enamel
• Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles between teeth
• Rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash to kill bacteria
• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if bristles are frayed

How often should you visit the dentist for preventive care? Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings every six months are recommended for most people. However, individuals with a higher risk of dental problems may need more frequent visits.

Lifestyle and Dietary Choices

Your daily habits and diet play a significant role in maintaining oral health:

• Limit sugary and acidic foods and beverages
• Drink plenty of water, especially fluoridated water
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals
• Use a mouthguard when playing contact sports
• Avoid using your teeth as tools (e.g., opening packages)

Can certain foods help prevent dental issues? Yes, foods rich in calcium and phosphorus, such as dairy products, leafy greens, and nuts, can help strengthen tooth enamel. Additionally, crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots can help clean teeth naturally by stimulating saliva production and scrubbing away plaque.

Long-Term Consequences of Untreated Dental Issues

Neglecting dental problems can lead to severe complications that extend beyond oral health. Understanding the potential long-term consequences of untreated facial swelling and toothache can motivate individuals to seek timely dental care.

Oral Health Complications

• Chronic gum disease (periodontitis)
• Tooth loss
• Dental abscesses
• Jawbone deterioration
• Malocclusion (misalignment of teeth)

How can untreated dental issues affect your overall health? Poor oral health has been linked to various systemic health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, respiratory infections, and pregnancy complications. The bacteria from dental infections can enter the bloodstream and potentially affect other parts of the body.

Impact on Quality of Life

Chronic dental problems can significantly affect an individual’s daily life:

• Persistent pain and discomfort
• Difficulty eating and speaking
• Nutritional deficiencies due to limited food choices
• Low self-esteem and social anxiety
• Reduced productivity at work or school

Can untreated dental issues lead to more severe facial swelling? Yes, if left untreated, dental infections can spread to surrounding tissues, potentially causing cellulitis or Ludwig’s angina, which are serious conditions characterized by widespread facial swelling and can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly.

Advanced Dental Treatments for Chronic Issues

For individuals with recurring or chronic dental problems causing facial swelling and toothache, advanced treatments may be necessary to restore oral health and prevent future complications.

Specialized Dental Procedures

• Dental implants for missing teeth
• Bone grafting to restore jawbone density
• Orthodontic treatments for misaligned teeth
• Full mouth reconstruction
• Periodontal surgery for advanced gum disease

How do dental implants compare to traditional dentures or bridges? Dental implants offer a more permanent and stable solution for missing teeth. They are surgically placed in the jawbone, providing a strong foundation for artificial teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Unlike dentures, implants don’t slip or require adhesives, and they help preserve bone structure in the jaw.

Multidisciplinary Approach

Complex dental issues often require a collaborative effort from various dental specialists:

• Endodontists for complex root canal treatments
• Oral surgeons for extractions and jaw surgeries
• Periodontists for advanced gum treatments
• Prosthodontists for complex tooth restorations
• Orthodontists for teeth alignment issues

What factors determine the need for specialized dental care? The severity and complexity of your dental issues, along with your overall health status, will influence the type of specialized care you may require. Your general dentist will assess your condition and refer you to the appropriate specialist if necessary.

In conclusion, facial swelling and toothache are common dental issues that can significantly impact your quality of life if left untreated. By understanding the causes, recognizing the signs of dental emergencies, and maintaining good oral hygiene practices, you can protect your oral health and overall well-being. Remember to consult with dental professionals regularly and seek immediate care when experiencing persistent or severe symptoms. With proper care and timely intervention, you can achieve and maintain a healthy, pain-free smile.

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.

Was this helpful?

Yes
No

Tell us more.

Check all that apply.

 
Wrong topic—not what I was looking for.

 
It was hard to understand.

 
It didn’t answer any of my questions.

 
I still don’t know what to do next.

 
Other.

NEXT ▶

Last question: How confident are you filling out medical forms by yourself?

Not at all
A little
Somewhat
Quite a bit
Extremely

Thank You!

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

DC “Kitay Gorod”,
Moscow,
Lubyansky proezd, 27/1, building 1, 4th floor, office 434

This email address is protected from spam bots. You must have JavaScript enabled to view.

Mon – Sat 9:00-21:00
Sun – 10:00-18:00

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.