What are the common causes of facial swelling and toothache. How can you distinguish between a dental emergency and a minor issue. What are the most effective home remedies for alleviating tooth pain. When should you seek immediate professional dental care.

Recognizing the Signs: Toothache and Facial Swelling

Dental discomfort can manifest in various ways, often causing significant distress. Toothache and facial swelling are two common symptoms that may indicate an underlying dental problem. These issues can range from mild inconveniences to severe conditions requiring immediate attention.

Are you experiencing persistent pain in your teeth or noticeable swelling in your face? These symptoms could be signs of a dental emergency. Understanding the nature of your discomfort is crucial in determining the appropriate course of action.

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 a sign of a dental emergency? While swelling can indicate a serious issue, it’s not always an immediate cause for alarm. However, if the swelling is accompanied by severe pain, fever, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, it’s crucial to seek professional help promptly.

Unraveling the Causes: What’s Behind Your Dental Discomfort?

Dental pain and swelling can stem from various sources, ranging from minor issues to more severe conditions. Identifying the root cause is essential for proper treatment and prevention of further complications.

Potential Culprits of Toothache and Swelling

1. Tooth decay
2. Dental injuries
3. Cracked or chipped teeth
4. Loose or broken fillings
5. Pulp inflammation
6. Receding gums
7. Dental abscesses
8. Sinus infections
9. Mouth ulcers
10. Jaw problems

Can a sinus infection really cause tooth pain? Indeed, it can. The sinuses are located close to the upper teeth, and inflammation in this area can put pressure on the dental nerves, resulting in tooth pain that mimics a dental issue.

When to Seek Professional Help: Recognizing Dental Emergencies

While some dental discomfort can be managed at home, certain symptoms warrant immediate professional attention. Knowing when to seek help can prevent minor issues from escalating into serious health concerns.

Red Flags: When to Contact a Healthcare Professional

• Fever above 38°C
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Signs of infection (redness, swelling, pain, and foul-tasting discharge)
• Toothache persisting for more than two days

Should you wait to see if the pain subsides on its own? While minor tooth sensitivity may resolve without intervention, persistent pain or swelling should not be ignored. Delaying treatment can lead to more severe complications and potentially costlier procedures down the line.

Diagnosis and Treatment: Navigating Your Dental Care Journey

When you visit a dental professional for toothache and swelling, they will conduct a thorough examination to determine the underlying cause. This process typically involves a visual inspection, questions about your symptoms and dental history, and possibly X-rays to get a comprehensive view of your oral health.

Treatment Options for Dental Pain and Swelling

• Dental fillings for cavities
• Root canal therapy for severe decay or infection
• Dental crowns for damaged teeth
• Professional cleaning and plaque removal for gum disease
• Antibiotics for dental infections
• Pain management techniques

Is root canal therapy always necessary for severe tooth pain? Not always. While root canal treatment is often recommended for deep infections or severe decay, the appropriate treatment depends on the specific cause and extent of the dental issue. Your dentist will recommend the most suitable option based on your individual case.

Self-Care Strategies: Managing Dental Discomfort at Home

While professional treatment is often necessary for dental issues, there are several self-care measures you can take to alleviate discomfort and maintain oral health while awaiting your dental appointment.

Effective Home Remedies for Toothache Relief

1. Saltwater rinse (not for children)
2. Cold compress application
3. Over-the-counter pain relievers (as directed)
4. Gentle brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush
5. Avoiding extremely hot or cold foods and beverages

Are clove oil and aspirin gargling effective for tooth pain relief? While these remedies are sometimes suggested, they are not recommended by dental professionals. Clove oil can potentially irritate sensitive gum tissue, and aspirin can cause chemical burns if applied directly to the affected area.

Preventive Measures: Safeguarding Your Oral Health

Maintaining good oral hygiene and adopting healthy habits can significantly reduce the risk of dental problems and associated pain and swelling. Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to dental health.

Key Strategies for Preventing Toothache and Swelling

• Regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste
• Daily flossing
• Balanced diet with limited sugary and fatty foods
• Drinking fluoridated water
• Avoiding tobacco use
• Regular dental check-ups and cleanings

How often should you visit the dentist for preventive care? Most dental professionals recommend routine check-ups and cleanings every six months. However, individuals with a higher risk of dental problems may need more frequent visits. Consult with your dentist to determine the optimal schedule for your specific needs.

Long-Term Impact: Understanding the Consequences of Untreated Dental Issues

Neglecting dental problems can have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond oral health. Chronic toothache and facial swelling can significantly impact your quality of life and overall well-being.

Potential Complications of Untreated Dental Problems

1. Persistent pain and discomfort
2. Difficulty eating and speaking
3. Nutritional deficiencies
4. Spread of infection to other parts of the body
5. Tooth loss
6. Negative impact on self-esteem and social interactions

Can poor oral health affect your overall health? Absolutely. Research has shown links between oral health issues and various systemic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems. Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial not just for your teeth and gums, but for your entire body.

Resources and Support: Navigating Your Dental Health Journey

Staying informed about oral health and having access to reliable resources can empower you to make better decisions about your dental care. There are numerous organizations and platforms dedicated to providing valuable information and support for individuals dealing with dental issues.

Helpful Resources for Dental Health Information

• Australian Dental Association website
• Local dental health services
• Oral health education programs
• Online dental health forums and communities
• Dental health apps for tracking oral hygiene habits

Where can you find affordable dental care if you’re uninsured? Many communities offer low-cost or free dental clinics for those without insurance. Dental schools often provide discounted services performed by supervised students. Additionally, some dentists offer payment plans or sliding scale fees based on income. Research local options or contact your state’s dental association for guidance.

In conclusion, understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for toothache and facial swelling is crucial for maintaining optimal oral health. By recognizing the signs of dental emergencies, practicing good oral hygiene, and seeking timely professional care, you can prevent minor issues from escalating into severe problems. Remember, your oral health is an integral part of your overall well-being, and investing in it pays dividends in the long run.

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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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.