Is swollen cheek a dental emergency?

It may be surprising, but your dentist is the best person to see for facial discomfort as it could signal worrisome oral health issues. If your mouth or face is swollen, that's a strong indication that you should seek immediate dental attention.

Should I go to the ER if my face is swollen from tooth infection?

You SHOULD go to the emergency room if: You have swelling from a toothache that has spread to other parts of your face, especially your eye or below your jaw line. You have a toothache accompanied by a high fever (>101).

Should I go to the ER if my cheek is swollen?

However, major swelling that is accompanied by persistent and severe pain requires an appointment with an emergency dentist. An infection in the mouth is not only painful, but it can lead to more serious issues, even life-threatening ones, if it goes too long without treatment.

Should I go to dentist with swollen face?

If you have any swelling in your mouth, face or jaw, see your dentist or a doctor as soon as possible. This can sometimes be a sign of an infection, which can get worse the longer it isn't treated, as well as prolonging your discomfort.

When should I go to the ER for face swelling?

See a doctor if facial swelling persists for more than a few days, or if it occurs alongside symptoms such as pain, redness, or itching. Call 911 or seek immediate medical assistance if a person displays signs of anaphylaxis, or if they come into contact with a known allergen or venomous insect.

Swelling in the Face - Dental or Gum Infection

Can a tooth make your face swell?

Tooth Abscess: A tooth abscess may lead to cheek swelling. This infection occurs when bacteria enters the pulp of a tooth, which may happen if you have a cracked tooth or a large cavity that hasn't been treated.

Should I go to the ER for a swollen jaw?

Emergency symptoms of a swollen jaw

Emergency symptoms include having trouble opening the mouth, eating or breathing, or if the patient is in extreme pain or bleeding, has a high fever, or has a head injury in addition to the swollen jaw. Someone experiencing any of these symptoms should seek immediate emergency care.

What to do if your cheek is swollen from a toothache?

Reduce pain and swelling in your face and jaw by putting ice or a cold pack on the outside of your cheek. Do this for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.

Why is my one cheek swollen?

Swelling in one or both cheeks may result from a minor injury or infection. In other instances, the issue may be a severe infection, autoimmune condition, or oral cancer. A range of treatments is available.

How long does a swollen cheek last?

The swelling should settle within a few hours or the day. In some cases, it can last for several weeks. If swelling occurs after 2 weeks, a person should see a doctor to find the cause.

Is a swollen face serious?

Facial swelling doesn't just include the face, but it can also involve the neck or throat. If there are no injuries to the face, facial swelling can indicate a medical emergency. In most cases, a medical professional should treat facial swelling.

Is tooth abscess an emergency?

Tooth abscess is absolutely a dental emergency. If you have a tooth abscess, you need to seek treatment immediately. Left untreated, abscess can lead to infection that spreads through the body causing serious and even life-threatening effects. The sooner these issues are treated the better!

How do you know if a tooth infection has spread?

If untreated, a tooth infection could potentially travel to other areas of your body, resulting in a potentially life-threatening infection. Signs of a tooth infection spreading to the body may include: fever. swelling.

How long does it take a tooth abscess to spread?

To summarize: It can potentially take several months for a dental abscess to develop. Once an abscess has formed, noticeable pain and swelling around the affected tooth usually occur. If left untreated, it may take a few more weeks or months for the infection to spread to other tissues and cause complications.

Can you get an abscess in your cheek?

If you're experiencing throbbing pain in your mouth, and there's swelling, then the chances are you have an abscess in your mouth. An oral abscess is a pocket of pus caused by bacterial infection. It's painful and needs treatment.

Why is my right cheek and jaw swollen?

An abscessed tooth, tooth extraction, and pericoronitis are most likely to cause swelling in the cheek and jaw. Mumps can also cause it.

Can wisdom tooth cause swollen cheek?

If your tooth or gums develop an infection, facial swelling will likely occur as a result. The swelling usually only affects the side of the face where the problematic wisdom tooth is located, though it can vary. Facial swelling of any kind should be reported to a dentist right away.

Will a tooth abscess go away with antibiotics?

When you are suffering from a tooth infection, you may want an easy solution, such as a course of antibiotics. However, antibiotics won't cure your tooth infection. Oral bacterial infections cause abscesses, which are small pockets of pus and dead tissue in the mouth.

What does a tooth abscess look and feel like?

What Are the Symptoms of a Tooth Infection Spreading? If pain, swelling, and tenderness in your jaw, face, or cheek worsens or is severe, or you have a fever, these are signs that the tooth infection may be spreading. If these symptoms occur, you should seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible.

Can a tooth abscess heal on its own?

Dental abscesses are often painful, but not always. In either case, they should be looked at by a dentist. It's important to get help as soon as possible, as abscesses do not go away on their own. They can sometimes spread to other parts of the body and make you ill.

What is an example of a dental emergency?

Virtually any dental pain that the patient is preoccupied with can be defined as a dental emergency. A broken tooth, infected gums, or extreme sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures could qualify as an emergency.

Should I see my doctor or dentist for jaw pain?

If you notice tenderness in your jaw, pain when you bite or endure frequent headaches, make sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Although some causes of jaw pain are temporary and go away on their own, you may be experiencing the first symptoms of a serious dental problem.

When is toothache an emergency?

If you have a toothache that lasts more than 1-2 days and is causing you a lot of pain or discomfort, you're having a dental emergency. This usually indicates an advanced cavity or an infected tooth. Without proper care, your condition will only get worse.

Will antibiotics reduce swelling abscess?

If the infection is limited to the abscessed area, you may not need antibiotics. But if the infection has spread to nearby teeth, your jaw or other areas, your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics to stop it from spreading further. He or she may also recommend antibiotics if you have a weakened immune system.

How do I know if my tooth infection has spread to my jaw?

If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw and surrounding tissue or even to other areas of your body.