Emergency Dentistry: Swollen Jaw Relief in Fairlawn
A swollen jaw is when your jaw looks fuller than usual caused by a lump or swelling either on the jaw or nearby. Your jaw may feel stiff or could be tender and painful. Pain may also be felt on the neck or face.
If you have a swollen jaw you should seek emergency care as it can also be a sign of a severe allergic reaction.
A swollen jaw may be caused by:
Swollen glands: When you are ill or have an infection, your lymph node can swell. Colds or bacterial infections are common causes of swollen glands in the neck. In this case, curing the swollen glands by treating the infection is the best way to get relief from the swollen jaw. If you have an infection, you will have other symptoms apart from a swollen jaw including fever, headache, and fatigue.
Injury: When you hit your jaw hard from a fall or a blow, it can cause swelling and pain. Your jaw may also get bruised. This requires an emergency dental appointment as it will be hard to open and close the mouth.
Tooth abscess: If you notice pus formation along with the swelling, the pulp of your tooth may have been infected. An Abscess is a serious condition that causes other symptoms such as intense throbbing tooth pain, red gums, fever, and a swollen face.
Tooth extraction: If you have undergone a tooth extraction recently, your jaw may become swollen. Once you have healed from the tooth extraction your jaw will return to its normal form.
Pericoronitis: This is a swelling of the gums that occurs when your wisdom teeth fail to erupt and remain impacted. If left untreated, it causes swelling in your jaws.
Tonsillitis: It is an infection of your tonsils caused by a virus or bacteria. Swollen lymph glands in the neck and jaw may be caused by tonsillitis.
Oral cancer: swollen jaw may be a sign of oral cancer. It may also be a sign of a different type of cancer spreading into the mouth.
Other infections: There are so many other bacterial and viral infections that cause swollen jaw hence the patient needs to be checked immediately.
Relief from swollen jaws
Home remedies
- Use a cold or warm compress to get some relief
- Eat soft foods
- Use over-the-counter anti-inflammatories
Medical remedies
Your dentist will treat your swollen jaw depending on the cause. They will use antibiotics and corticosteroids to give you immediate relief but, to cure your swelling, they will need specific details about your symptoms such as
- Swollen jaw on one side
- Swollen jaw beneath the ear
- Swollen jaw accompanied by toothache
- Swollen jaw and cheek etc.
If you have a swollen jaw accompanied by pain and you are unable to eat, open your mouth, or have trouble breathing, reach out to your dentist for an emergency appointment.
