When to Worry About a Swollen Jaw

Jaw swelling can have a variety of underlying causes, but regardless of that cause, there’s one thing all types of swelling have one thing in common: They aren’t normal.

Benedict Kim, DDS, and the team at A Caring Dental Group get to the root cause of jaw swelling, offering patient-centered emergency dental care to treat underlying problems and improve overall health. Here’s why jaw swelling happens and when to seek treatment.

Why your jaw is swollen

In many cases, tissue swelling happens as a result of inflammation that’s associated with an injury, a disease, or an infection. Having a dental exam is the best way to determine that underlying cause so treatment can be tailored to your needs.

Oral health problems

Most people think of oral health problems causing problems restricted to their teeth or maybe their gums. But many oral health issues can cause jaw swelling, too.

For example, a deep infection inside a tooth can spread throughout the tooth structure, eventually causing infection, inflammation, and swelling in the jaw tissues. Advanced gum disease and impacted wisdom teeth can cause swollen jaws, too.

Systemic or gland infections

In addition to tooth and gum infections, salivary gland infections can cause your jaws to become swollen and tender, particularly the area under your chin. Some infections can involve lymph nodes, causing swelling along the jawline and the sides of your jaws. 

Medical issues

Problems affecting your jaw joints (the temporomandibular joints or TMJ) can cause jaw swelling, along with jaw stiffness and “clicking” noises. A cyst or tumor in your jaw, gums, or other areas can cause swelling, too. 

Some allergic reactions cause jaw swelling. Allergies can be especially worrisome since swelling may spread to your throat, making it hard to breathe.

Traumatic injury

A direct impact to the jaw from a fall, sports injury, automobile accident, or even a fight can cause swelling in your jaw. Some traumatic injuries can cause fractures ranging from a hairline “crack” to a major break. These injuries are usually accompanied by a lot of pain, bruising, and jaw dysfunction.

When to seek treatment

Though some mild problems, like a minor allergic reaction, resolve over time, other issues require prompt medical treatment. 

You should always call the office if swelling is accompanied by:

• Severe pain
• Fever
• Nausea
• Breathing difficulties
• Problems chewing or moving your jaw
• Noises when moving your jaw
• Visible changes in your jawline or inside your mouth
• Persistent bad breath or sour taste
• Tooth pain or loosening
• Swollen gums or gum discoloration
• Facial numbness

Because there’s no way to tell what’s causing swelling on your own, it’s generally always a good idea to schedule an evaluation to avoid potential complications, even if your swelling is mild.

During your visit, Dr. Kim evaluates your jaws, teeth, gums, and palate. In most cases, he orders diagnostic imaging to see “inside” your jaw, so he can evaluate the bones and other internal structures. He’ll also ask about when swelling began and if you’re experiencing other symptoms, and he may take a small tissue to rule out oral cancers.

Depending on the underlying cause, Dr. Kim may prescribe medications, additional testing, or oral health treatments, like gum disease treatment or root canal to get rid of deep infections or abscesses. Your treatment plan will focus on resolving swelling, preventing complications, and avoiding similar issues in the future.

Don’t ignore a swollen jaw

No jaw swelling is normal, and scheduling an evaluation is always a good idea. To learn what’s causing your swollen jaw, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Kim and the team at A Caring Dental Group in Cleveland, Ohio, today.