Swollen Cheek or Jaw? Common Dental Causes and What to Do Today
A swollen cheek or jaw is often caused by a tooth or gum infection, an irritated wisdom tooth, or normal healing after dental work. Use a cold compress, keep your head raised, and call a dentist today. Go to the ER right away if the swelling is spreading quickly or you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
Waking up with a swollen cheek from a tooth problem is unsettling. The good news is that most dental swelling can be treated once the cause is found. Here’s how to tell what might be going on and what to do next.
The Bottom Line
- The most common dental causes are an abscessed tooth, an irritated wisdom tooth, a gum abscess, or swelling after an extraction.
- Cold helps. Heat can make an infection worse.
- Don’t try to pop or drain a bump on your gum.
- Antibiotics alone usually don’t fix the problem. The source needs treatment.
- Trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling near the eye or down the neck, or a high fever means the ER.
Common Dental Causes of a Swollen Cheek
1. An abscessed tooth
An abscess is a pocket of infection, often at the tip of a tooth’s root. It usually starts with a toothache, sometimes a throbbing one, and swelling can follow. You might notice a bad taste, tenderness when you bite, or a pimple-like bump on the gum. This is the most common dental cause of facial swelling, and it needs treatment. Our post on swollen face and tooth infection goes deeper on this one.
2. A wisdom tooth coming in
When a wisdom tooth only partly breaks through the gum, a flap of gum can trap food and bacteria. The area can get sore and swollen (called pericoronitis), and you may have trouble opening your mouth all the way. See our wisdom teeth removal page for more.
3. Healing after an extraction or other dental work
Some swelling after a tooth extraction is normal. It usually peaks around day two or three and then starts to go down. Swelling that keeps getting worse after day three, or comes with fever, pus, or a bad taste, should be checked. Learn more about tooth extractions.
4. A gum abscess
Infection can also start in the gum around a tooth, often where food is trapped or gum disease has created a deep pocket. It can look like a tender, swollen bump next to the tooth.
5. An injury
A fall, sports hit, or accident can cause swelling and bruising. Check for loose, chipped, or knocked-out teeth, and get medical care first for any head injury.
6. Causes that aren’t dental
Not every swollen cheek comes from a tooth. Salivary gland problems, sinus infections, skin infections, and allergic reactions can also cause swelling. Sudden swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, especially with hives or trouble breathing, can be a serious allergic reaction. Call 911.
When to Go to the ER
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Swelling that is spreading fast, or reaching your eye, under your tongue, or down your neck
- A high fever, or you feel very sick
- Trouble opening your mouth that’s getting worse quickly
- Swelling after a head or face injury
Dental infections are usually very treatable, but these signs mean they need medical attention right away. Once you’re stable, follow up with a dentist to treat the cause.
What to Do at Home Until You’re Seen
- Use a cold compress. Wrap ice or a cold pack in a thin towel and hold it on your cheek for about 15 minutes at a time.
- Keep your head raised when resting or sleeping.
- Rinse with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) to keep the area clean.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs, if it’s safe for you.
- Drink plenty of water and stick to soft foods.
What to avoid
- No heat on the swollen area.
- Don’t pop, poke, or drain a bump on the gum.
- Don’t put aspirin on the gum, which can burn the tissue.
- Don’t take leftover antibiotics. They may be the wrong type and can hide the problem.
What the Dentist Will Do
At your visit, the dentist will look at the area, take an X-ray, and find where the swelling is coming from. Depending on the cause, treatment may include:
- Draining an abscess to relieve pressure
- A root canal to remove the infection and save the tooth
- An extraction if the tooth can’t be saved
- Cleaning around a wisdom tooth or planning its removal
- Antibiotics when they’re needed, alongside treating the source
Treating the source matters. Antibiotics can calm an infection for a while, but if the tooth isn’t treated, the swelling often comes back.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does dental swelling last?
It depends on the cause. Once an infection is treated, swelling often starts to go down within a few days. Swelling after an extraction usually peaks around day two or three.
Can a swollen cheek go away on its own?
Sometimes swelling goes down for a while, but if an infection is causing it, it usually comes back until the tooth is treated.
Should I use ice or heat?
Ice, wrapped in a towel, on the outside of the cheek. Avoid heat.
Is a swollen face a dental emergency?
It can be. Call a dentist the same day, and go to the ER for any breathing or swallowing trouble or quickly spreading swelling.
References
Swollen Cheek? Call Us Today
If your cheek or jaw is swollen, call Urgent Dental at (702) 228-1106. We offer same-day appointments when available, and we’ll help you figure out what to do next. Our office hours are Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM. Outside those hours, an after-hours visit may be possible only if a doctor is available, and an after-hours fee applies. Learn more about our swollen face care and emergency dental services, or request an appointment.
Urgent Dental
340 E Warm Springs Rd STE 100, Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 228-1106
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for professional dental or medical advice.
