How to Reduce Cheek Swelling from a Tooth Quickly – Effective Home Methods

Cheek swelling may occur for many reasons, ranging from minor facial injuries to infections or serious underlying health problems. Swelling can be not only uncomfortable but also noticeable to others.

A person may notice swelling on one or both cheeks and inside the mouth. The location of the swelling may help the doctor determine the cause.

Why Cheek Swelling May Occur

Sometimes swelling is unilateral, meaning it occurs only on one side of the face. In other cases, it is bilateral, affecting both sides of the face.

Causes that may lead to swelling of one cheek include:

• facial trauma;
•  tooth abscess;
• sialolithiasis (salivary gland stones);
• bacterial cellulitis;
• salivary gland cancer;
•  lymphadenitis;
•  enlarged lymph nodes, usually due to infection;
•  hypothyroidism;
•  Cushing syndrome;
•  Sjögren syndrome;
•  mumps;
•  angioedema;
•  sinusitis;
•  pericoronitis;
•  complications after tooth extraction.

Let us consider conditions related to cheek swelling that are caused by dental and oral problems.

Tooth Abscess

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. An abscess may form in different areas around a tooth for various reasons. A periapical abscess forms at the tip of the root. A periodontal abscess forms in the gum beside the tooth root.

Tooth decay is usually the main cause of an abscess. Tooth decay is a common oral condition caused by acids that destroy tooth enamel. Untreated decay can lead to infection around the tooth root. This infection occurs when bacteria enter the dental pulp, which can happen if you have a cracked tooth or a large untreated cavity. If the infection becomes more severe, a pocket of pus called an abscess may form, leading to swelling.

Symptoms of a tooth abscess:

1.  severe, constant, throbbing toothache that may spread to the jaw, neck, or ear;
2.  pain or discomfort when exposed to hot or cold temperatures;
3. pain or discomfort when chewing or biting;
4.  fever;
5. swelling of the face, cheek, or neck that may cause difficulty breathing or swallowing;
6.  tender, swollen lymph nodes under the jaw or in the neck;
7.  bad breath;
8.  sudden sensation of foul odor and unpleasant taste or salty fluid in the mouth;
9.  relief of pain if the abscess ruptures.

Dentists treat a tooth abscess by draining it and eliminating the infection. The tooth can often be saved with root canal treatment. However, in some cases tooth extraction may be necessary.

Timely treatment is important to prevent the spread of pus into surrounding vital structures and serious complications.

Mumps

Salivary glands are a group of organs in the mouth that produce saliva. There are three pairs of glands that produce most of the saliva: the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands. They are located inside each cheek.

Mumps is an acute viral infection accompanied by inflammation of the salivary glands and the nervous system and causes general intoxication of the body. The common name of this disease is “mumps” because the patient’s face becomes swollen.

One of the symptoms of the disease is inflammation of the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, with swelling and tenderness.

Salivary Gland Stones

Salivary gland stones are calcium deposits that form in the salivary glands. Another name for this condition is sialolithiasis.

Salivary stones most often affect people between the ages of 30 and 60. The exact cause of salivary stones is unknown. However, they may form when bacteria and food particles enter the salivary glands.

Without treatment, stones may block a salivary duct and lead to infection.

Symptoms of an infected salivary gland may include:

• swelling of one cheek;
• tenderness or pain in the affected area;
• difficulty or pain while chewing or speaking;
•  foul-tasting discharge from the infected gland;
•  fever.

This condition is treated by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Proper treatment depends on the size and number of stones. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may help reduce swelling and pain. If an infection develops, the doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics. If one or more stones are large, surgical removal may be necessary.

Pericoronitis

Pericoronitis is a painful condition that occurs during the eruption of wisdom teeth and may cause cheek swelling. Pericoronitis can sometimes cause severe pain. Treatment should be performed by a dental surgeon. Removal of wisdom teeth may be recommended.

Complications After Tooth Extraction

Cheek swelling may occur as a normal reaction after tooth extraction, especially after wisdom tooth removal, but it may also be a symptom of complications. For example, tissue trauma may occur during tooth extraction. Such swelling usually disappears within a few days. A reaction to anesthesia may also lead to swelling.

However, if swelling is accompanied by severe pain, high fever, or purulent discharge, this may indicate infection. In such cases, medical attention is required.

Swelling may develop as a response to tissue trauma during surgery. This is usually accompanied by mild discomfort and resolves within a few days. If swelling is accompanied by severe pain, fever, or pus discharge, this may indicate infection in the extraction area.

When to Seek Urgent Medical Care

A person should seek immediate medical attention if sudden cheek swelling is accompanied by:

• swelling of the face, lips, or tongue;
• skin rash;
•  difficulty breathing or swallowing;
• dizziness.

Prevention

In some cases, cheek swelling is the result of poor oral hygiene, which can lead to infection. It is very important to brush your teeth twice a day and follow all other oral hygiene recommendations.

There are many possible causes of swelling of one or both cheeks, and some are more serious than others. It is advisable to consult a doctor or dentist, especially if the swelling is sudden, severe, or lasts longer than a few days.

Home Remedies for Cheek Swelling

If your cheeks are swollen, you may wonder whether there is anything you can do at home to feel more comfortable.

Raising the head of the bed or elevating your head with extra pillows may help reduce facial swelling. If the swelling occurred after an injury, a cold compress may be applied.

However, home remedies are often not enough. For example, an oral infection such as a tooth abscess is a serious condition and may cause problems in other parts of the body. Therefore, it is extremely important to seek medical care to reduce cheek swelling.

Swollen cheeks can be uncomfortable and may be caused by many different conditions. If you are concerned about cheek swelling, contact the dentists at YAREMA DENTAL Clinic.

This article does not replace a medical consultation. For complete and personalized information, please consult your dentist.