Jaw Swelling
Jaw swelling can range from a minor cosmetic concern to a sign of serious infection or disease. The swelling may appear on one or both sides of the face, developing suddenly or gradually over time. Common causes include dental infections, salivary gland problems, and trauma, but jaw swelling can also indicate systemic conditions or tumors. The location, timing, and associated symptoms provide important clues to the underlying cause. While some cases resolve with simple treatments, others require urgent medical attention to prevent complications such as airway obstruction or spreading infection. Understanding when jaw swelling is an emergency helps ensure timely and appropriate care.
⚠️ Seek Emergency Care For:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Rapidly spreading swelling
- High fever with facial swelling
- Floor of mouth swelling (Ludwig's angina)
- Drooling or inability to open mouth
- Severe pain with swelling
- Swelling after dental procedure
- Signs of sepsis (confusion, rapid pulse)
- Swelling extending to neck
- Difficulty speaking
Common Causes
Dental Problems
- Tooth abscess
- Infected wisdom teeth
- Pericoronitis
- Root canal infection
- Gum disease
- Dental trauma
Salivary Gland Issues
- Salivary stones (sialolithiasis)
- Sialadenitis (gland infection)
- Mumps
- Sjögren's syndrome
- Salivary gland tumors
- Blocked ducts
TMJ & Bone Problems
- TMJ disorders
- Jaw fracture
- Osteomyelitis
- Bone cysts
- Arthritis
- Dislocation
Other Causes
- Lymph node swelling
- Allergic reactions
- Angioedema
- Cellulitis
- Tumors (benign/malignant)
- Medication side effects
Swelling by Location
Upper Jaw Swelling
- Maxillary sinus infection
- Upper tooth abscess
- Facial cellulitis
- Allergic reactions
- Trauma to cheekbone
Lower Jaw Swelling
- Lower tooth infection
- Submandibular gland problems
- Jaw bone infection
- TMJ inflammation
- Dental cysts
Angle of Jaw Swelling
- Parotid gland disorders
- Wisdom tooth problems
- Lymph node enlargement
- Masseteric space infection
- Tumors
Associated Symptoms
Local Symptoms
- Pain or tenderness
- Warmth over swelling
- Redness of skin
- Difficulty opening mouth (trismus)
- Bad taste in mouth
- Tooth pain
- Ear pain
Systemic Symptoms
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- General malaise
Functional Problems
- Difficulty chewing
- Speech problems
- Swallowing difficulty
- Breathing issues
- Jaw stiffness
Common Conditions Explained
Dental Abscess
- Severe tooth pain
- Facial swelling on affected side
- Fever and malaise
- Swollen lymph nodes
- May drain pus
- Requires urgent treatment
Mumps
- Bilateral parotid swelling
- Chipmunk cheeks appearance
- Fever and headache
- Pain with chewing
- Contagious viral infection
- Preventable by vaccine
Salivary Stones
- Swelling during meals
- Pain that comes and goes
- Dry mouth
- Bad taste
- May feel stone under jaw
- Can cause infection
TMJ Disorders
- Jaw joint pain
- Clicking or popping sounds
- Limited mouth opening
- Muscle spasms
- Headaches
- May worsen with stress
Medical Evaluation
Physical Examination
- Visual inspection of swelling
- Palpation of jaw and neck
- Oral cavity examination
- Lymph node assessment
- TMJ evaluation
- Dental examination
Diagnostic Tests
- Dental X-rays: Tooth and bone problems
- CT scan: Detailed bone/soft tissue view
- Ultrasound: Salivary gland evaluation
- MRI: Soft tissue masses
- Blood tests: Infection markers, mumps
- Fine needle aspiration: Mass evaluation
- Sialography: Salivary duct imaging
Treatment Options
Immediate Care
- Ice packs for acute swelling
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Pain management
- Soft diet
- Warm compresses (infections)
- Salt water rinses
Medical Treatment
- Antibiotics for infections
- Drainage of abscesses
- Steroid medications
- Antihistamines (allergies)
- Muscle relaxants
- Antiviral medications
Dental/Surgical
- Root canal therapy
- Tooth extraction
- Incision and drainage
- Stone removal
- TMJ procedures
- Tumor excision
Supportive Care
- Hydration
- Sialagogues (saliva stimulants)
- Physical therapy
- Stress management
- Dietary modifications
- Follow-up care
Home Care Guidelines
For Mild Swelling
- Apply ice 20 minutes on/off
- Take OTC pain relievers
- Maintain good oral hygiene
- Avoid hard foods
- Stay hydrated
- Rest the jaw
For Salivary Issues
- Massage gland gently
- Suck on lemon drops
- Apply warm compresses
- Increase water intake
- Avoid dehydrating substances
Do NOT
- Apply heat to acute trauma
- Attempt to drain swelling yourself
- Ignore worsening symptoms
- Delay dental care
- Take antibiotics without prescription
Prevention Strategies
- Dental hygiene: Brush, floss, regular checkups
- Treat dental problems: Don't delay care
- Vaccinations: MMR vaccine prevents mumps
- Hydration: Prevents salivary stones
- Protect jaw: Sports guards, safety gear
- Manage TMJ: Reduce stress, avoid hard foods
- Control infections: Treat early
- Healthy diet: Support immune system
- Avoid allergens: Known triggers
- Regular medical care: Monitor chronic conditions
When to Seek Medical Care
Emergency (Immediate)
- Breathing or swallowing difficulty
- Rapidly worsening swelling
- High fever
- Severe pain
- Floor of mouth swelling
Urgent (Within 24 hours)
- Dental abscess symptoms
- Moderate fever
- Increasing pain
- Difficulty opening mouth
- Swelling not responding to treatment
Routine Care
- Chronic TMJ problems
- Recurring salivary swelling
- Persistent mild swelling
- Evaluation of masses